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Written and reviewed by Elaine Bliss, Technical Manager, PestFix
Last reviewed 25 September 2026
Capping a disused chimney pot costs £24.70 to £34.10 for the cap itself, including VAT. If the chimney is still in use, it must not be capped. Instead, a bird guard that keeps the flue open costs between £14.94 and £33. The right choice depends on one question: is the flue still in use? If you would rather have it fitted, you can request a free installation quote below.
Prices checked on 25 September 2026 and taken from the EnviroGuard shop. All prices include VAT.
First, is the chimney still in use?
This matters more than the price. A chimney that serves a fire, a stove or a boiler must stay ventilated, so it must never be sealed with a cap. A cap is only for a chimney that is no longer used. If you are not sure, have the chimney checked before you buy anything.
What it costs to cap a disused chimney
The C-Cap disused chimney cap seals the pot against rain, snow, nesting birds, squirrels and leaves, and it reduces the heat lost up an unused flue.
| C-Cap size | Fits round pots up to | Price inc. VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Standard, buff or terracotta | 280mm external diameter | £24.70 |
| Large, terracotta | 330mm external diameter | £29.01 |
| Large, buff | 330mm external diameter | £34.10 |
What it costs to keep birds out of a chimney in use
These products stop birds perching or nesting without closing the flue.
| Product | What it does | Price inc. VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Chimney pot mesh balloon | Galvanised mesh that pushes into the pot. For 150mm, 200mm and 225mm pots, and suitable for all types of heating appliance. | £14.94 to £15.60 |
| Decorative universal pot guard, terracotta | Stops birds perching or nesting on the pot. Fits 150mm to 225mm pots. | £31.00 |
| Decorative universal pot guard, black or silver | The same guard in a colour to match the pot. | £33.00 |
| Chimney bird deterrent spike | A stainless steel strap of spikes that wraps around the pot to stop pigeons and gulls landing. One size fits round and square pots. | £29.75 |
| Scarborough chimney spike | Stainless steel rods, bent to shape on site, for gulls on or between pots. | £32.40 |
A worked example
Suppose a house has two chimney pots. One serves a disused fireplace and the other a working gas fire. The disused pot takes a standard C-Cap at £24.70. The working pot needs to stay open, so it takes a mesh balloon at £14.94 or a decorative pot guard at £31 to £33. Your total materials cost is between £39.64 and £57.70.
What affects the price of having it fitted
Chimney work is almost always done at height, so the fitted price mostly reflects safe access to the stack, which may need roof ladders, a scaffold or a cherry picker. Any nesting material in the pot also needs to be cleared first. That is why a fitted price is given after a survey.
Birds nesting in chimneys are protected by law, and an active nest with eggs or young in it must not be disturbed. Jackdaws often nest in chimneys in the spring, so it is worth fitting a guard outside the nesting season. Our guide to bird control and the law explains the rules.
Need it installed? Request an installation quote and we will arrange it through our recommended installer, JG Pest Control.
Common questions
How much does it cost to cap a chimney?
A C-Cap for a disused chimney pot costs £24.70 to £34.10 including VAT, depending on the size and colour. Fitting is priced after a survey, because the cost depends on access to the stack.
Can I cap a chimney that is still in use?
No. A chimney that serves a fire, stove or boiler must stay ventilated. Use a mesh balloon or a pot guard instead, which keep birds out while leaving the flue open.
What is the cheapest way to stop birds nesting in a chimney?
The chimney pot mesh balloon is the lowest cost option at £14.94, and it can be used with all types of heating appliance.
See the full chimney protection range, or visit our bird control installers page to see who fits what.
