Chimney sweep Job Information | National Careers Service

Job profiles

Chimney sweep

Hours

30-40 per week
Starting salary

£12,000 + per year

As a chimney sweep, you would clean the chimneys of open fires. These would include coal, gas, oil and wood-fired heating systems. Your work would help to reduce the risks of chimney fires and dangerous fumes.

To be a chimney sweep, you would need to have practical skills to use a range of tools and equipment. You’ll need the ability to work at heights and climb ladders if necessary. You’ll also need good customer service skills.

As you will usually be self-employed, you will need to find an experienced chimney sweep who will train you on the job before you set up in business. You may find it useful if you already have experience of practical manual work.

The work

Your day-to-day tasks could include:

making an inspection of the chimney or flue before cleaning
protecting the surrounding area so that soot and debris does not escape into a room
using brushes on extending rods to clean the chimney or flue
removing soot and debris from the fireplace or appliance using an industrial vacuum cleaner
advising the customer about any potential hazards and faults, and when the chimney or flue will need cleaning again
using equipment such as smoke-generating machines and CCTV cameras to examine the condition of chimneys and investigate faults
advising customers on the safe operation and maintenance of chimneys, appliances and flues.

As a member of the National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS), you would issue a certificate of chimney sweeping after completing your work.

Hours

You would usually work between 8.30am and 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, but may also work occasional Saturdays. You may work longer hours in spring and autumn, which are usually the busiest times.

Most of your work would be in private houses, but you could also work on heating systems on industrial or commercial premises.

You would need to be aware of health and safety issues, and wear a face mask and overalls.

Income

There are no set rates of pay for self-employed chimney sweeps. Earnings vary according to how much work they have.

Entry requirements

A driving licence is essential, as you will have to transport all your equipment to the places where you are working.

Setting up as a chimney sweep can be expensive, as you will need to buy all your equipment and a van for transporting it, and advertise your business. It is advisable to insure your equipment, and to have public liability insurance.

Membership of the National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS) or the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps will show customers that you are a competent chimney sweep, working to a strict code of practice and conduct.

Your details would be included in the directories on the organisations' websites, which customers can use when looking for a chimney sweep.

To join the National Association of Chimney Sweeps you will need to complete its two-day induction course and have:

an on-site assessment
public liability insurance
all the necessary tools and equipment.

Visit the National Association of Chimney Sweeps website to find out more.

National Association of Chimney Sweeps

See the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps website for details of membership.

Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps

Training and development

As a chimney sweep, you may be able to work towards the Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Chimney Engineering/Cleaning.

As a NACS member, you can attend short courses such as the Ladder and Roof Safety Certification course. Visit the NACS website for details.

The Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps also runs short courses. Visit the Guild's website for details.

HETAS is the official body recognised by government to approve solid fuel domestic heating appliances, fuels and services. You can complete a 2-day HETAS training course on the installation of solid fuel appliances and systems in accordance with Building Regulations.

With HETAS registration, you can provide your customers with a certificate at the end of each job that shows that the work has been carried out to the correct standards. Check the HETAS website for details of training and requirements for registration.

HETAS

Skills and knowledge

To be a chimney sweep, you would need to have:

physical fitness and stamina
the ability to work without supervision
practical skills to use a range of tools and equipment
the ability to work at heights and climb ladders if necessary
awareness of health and safety regulations
good customer service skills
organisational skills to plan your own work schedule
the ability to complete paperwork and keep accounts (unless you employ someone to do this for you)
the ability to cost jobs, negotiate prices and persuade customers to pay on time.

More information

National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS) (Opens new window)
Unit 15
Emerald Way
Stone Business Park
Stone
Staffordshire
ST15 0SR
Tel: 01785 811732
www.chimneyworks.co.uk

Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps (Opens new window)
Tel: 0800 0434737
http://guildofmasterchimneysweeps.co.uk/

Construction Skills CITB (Opens new window)
Bircham Newton
King's Lynn
Norfolk
PE31 6RH
Tel: 0344 994 4400
www.cskills.org

Opportunities

You would usually be self-employed, although you may also find jobs with private companies, for example solid fuel distributors.

Setting up in business can involve a lot of expense and effort, as you would need to buy equipment and attract custom. It may be possible to buy an existing business.

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.

Related industry information

Industry summary

The cleaning and support services industry is part of the facilities management, housing, property, planning, and parking sector, represented by Asset Skills Sector Skills Council. The sector workforce, which has continued to grow since 1998, represents 3% of the total UK workforce.

The cleaning and support services industry covers all forms of contract cleaning including: building interiors; transport vehicles; food premises; window and facade cleaning; highways and land; plus carpets and upholstery.

Key facts:

The UK market for contract cleaning is estimated to be £5.6 billion.
There are around 448,400 people working in the industry in just over 32,000 companies.
Migrant workers make up 37% of the English cleaning workforce.
86% of all cleaning companies have 10 or less employees.

Jobs in the industry range from: cleaner, supervisor, caretaker, window cleaner, upholstery cleaner, highways and street cleaner, food premises cleaner, crime scene cleaner, manager, pest control technician.

National and regional data

The following table provides a breakdown of the number of cleaning sector employees in each of the nations and English regions.

Region	Number of employees	Regional key characteristics
East Midlands	22,000	In comparison with other English regions, the East Midlands has a high proportion (23%) of its workforce between the ages 16‐24
East Of England	45,800	The majority of the cleaning workforce (91%) in the East of England is aged over 25
London	110,200	London is the largest employer of the cleaning industry at 28%
North East	16,700	The North East employs 4% of the cleaning workforce
North West	47,100	The North West has a similar profile to the UK. The workforce is 58% female and the majority (56%) work on a part‐time basis
South East	64,600	After London, the South East is the second highest employer of the cleaning workforce at 16%
South West	27,700	A significant proportion of the cleaning workforce in the South West is female (62%)
West Midlands	24,800	A high proportion of the cleaning workforce in the West Midlands is employed on a full‐time basis (55%)
Yorkshire & the Humber	24,100	The workforce in the Yorkshire and Humber region is predominately male (59%)
Northern Ireland	9,100*	The majority of the workforce in the cleaning industry in Northern Ireland (74%) is aged 25 and over. A higher than average proportion of the workforce is female (67%)
Scotland	42,400	Scotland employs 9% of the UK cleaning workforce, with 52% employed on a part‐time basis
Wales	12,900	Wales employs 3% of the UK cleaning workforce, with a significantly high proportion employed on a part‐time basis (60%)