There are three levels of inspection and they are not interchangeable. Picking the wrong one wastes money or misses the thing you were worried about. Call (509) 267-6216 and we will tell you which one you actually need.

The three levels, in plain English

Level 1 is the basic annual check. We look at the readily accessible parts of the chimney and the connection to the appliance, inside and out, and confirm the flue is clear. This is the right one when nothing has changed and you are burning the same way you were last year.

Level 2 adds the parts you cannot see from a ladder. It includes a camera scan of the full flue and a look at accessible attic, crawl space and basement runs. This is the level that applies when a property is sold or transferred, when you change the appliance or the fuel, and after anything that could have damaged the flue, such as a chimney fire, an earthquake or a serious storm.

Level 3 is for when a Level 1 or 2 turns up something hidden and serious. It can mean removing part of the chimney or a wall to get at it. Nobody books a Level 3 first. It is what happens when the camera finds a crack it cannot fully see.

If you are buying or selling in Spokane, read this bit

A Level 2 is the inspection tied to a change of ownership. It is the one that answers whether the buyer is inheriting a safe chimney, and it is the one that produces a document the other side will accept.

Two things come up again and again in Spokane sales. The first is an uncertified wood stove. Washington restricts these and the point of sale is when it gets dealt with, which is a nasty surprise at day forty of a forty-five day closing. The second is a liner that was never installed when a gas insert was fitted years ago.

What an inspection costs in Spokane

Level	Typical range	When it applies
Level 1	$85 to $300	Annual check, nothing changed
Level 2	$150 to $1,000	Home sale, new appliance, after a fire or storm
Level 3	$500 to $5,000	Only when a Level 2 finds something hidden

Typical ranges, not a quote. A Level 2 on a single straight flue is at the bottom of that band. A three-flue chimney on a steep roof is not.

Many sweeps fold a Level 1 into the price of a sweep. Ask. If you are being charged separately for both on the same visit, ask why.

What to expect on the day

Allow an hour for a Level 1 and up to two for a Level 2. We need access to the fireplace and, for a Level 2, to the attic or crawl space where the flue runs. Clear a path and move anything breakable off the hearth.

The camera scan is the part people find useful. You see the inside of your own flue on a screen, which is usually the first time anyone has.

You get the report the same day.

Questions people ask

How much does a chimney inspection cost in Spokane?

A Level 1 typically runs $85 to $300 and a Level 2 $150 to $1,000. The spread is mostly about how many flues there are and how hard the roof is to work on. Send a photo and you will get a real number.

How long does it take to get booked in?

Autumn is the busy season. September through November, expect a week or two. In spring and summer it is usually a few days. If you are mid-sale and have a deadline, say so when you call.

Do I need a Level 2 if the house is only ten years old?

Age does not exempt it. The trigger is the change of ownership, not the condition. That said, a newer chimney usually inspects quickly and comes in at the lower end of the range.

Will an inspection tell me if I need a liner?

Yes, and that is often what it finds. A camera scan shows cracked tiles, gaps at the joints, and whether a gas insert was fitted without the liner it needed. Relining is the expensive outcome, so it is worth knowing before you are committed to a sale date.

Call (509) 267-6216