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Written and reviewed by Elaine Bliss, Technical Manager, PestFix
Last reviewed 25 September 2026
Quick answer
Capping a disused chimney yourself costs £24.70 to £34.10 per chimney pot including VAT for a C-Cap from the EnviroGuard shop. A chimney that is still in use must never be capped, so a bird guard that keeps the flue open, from £14.94 to £33 per pot, is the right choice instead.
Product-only shop prices, checked with stock on 19 October 2026, including VAT, subject to change. Do not go onto a roof or stack without the right competence and fall protection.
The right product depends on one question: is the flue still in use? If you would rather have it fitted, the price depends mostly on safe access to the stack, and you can request installation below.
Prices and stock checked on 19 October 2026 and taken from the EnviroGuard shop, subject to change. 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 closes the pot to birds, squirrels, rain, snow and leaves, and it helps reduce the heat lost up an unused flue. If you are not sure whether a disused flue needs ventilating, ask a chimney professional before you cap it.
| C-Cap size | Fits round pots up to | Price inc. VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Standard, buff or terracotta (terracotta on back order when checked) | 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. You can compare them side by side in our chimney bird guards and caps range, which also explains which one suits your pot.
| Product | What it does | Price inc. VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Chimney pot mesh balloon | Galvanised mesh that pushes into the pot. For 150mm, 200mm and 225mm pots. The product page says it can be used with all types of heating appliance; check it suits your appliance and flue. | £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 it is an offence to take, damage or destroy a nest while it is in use or being built. Jackdaws and other chimney nesters usually nest from February to May, so fit a guard in autumn or early winter, before they start. Our guide to bird control and the law explains the rules.
Having it fitted
If you would rather not work at height yourself, you can request installation through EnviroGuard. The work is carried out by our recommended installer, JG Pest Control, a sister company in the Tyro group. A fitted price is confirmed after a survey, and our bird control installers page explains who fits what.
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 in the UK?
The product-only price of a C-Cap for a disused chimney pot is £24.70 to £34.10 per pot including VAT, depending on the size and colour (prices checked 19 October 2026, subject to change). Do not go onto a roof or stack without the right competence and fall protection. A chimney still in use must not be capped; a bird guard from £14.94 to £33 per pot keeps birds out and the flue open. 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. A mesh balloon or a pot guard keeps birds out while leaving the flue open, but compatibility depends on the appliance and flue: have a Gas Safe registered engineer check a gas appliance and a competent chimney professional check other systems, and follow the appliance and guard manufacturers’ instructions.
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. Its product page says it can be used with all types of heating appliance, but check it suits your appliance and flue, and have a gas appliance checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
See the full chimney protection range, or visit our bird control installers page to see who fits what.
