A cricket, sometimes called a saddle, is a small peaked structure behind your chimney that diverts water and debris around the stack instead of letting it pool against the back. In rainy Puget Sound, it is one of the smartest leak-prevention upgrades you can make, especially on wider chimneys. Here is what cricket installation costs around Seattle and Tacoma, and why it pays for itself in a wet climate.
What cricket installation costs in Seattle
A small cricket or saddle for a narrower chimney runs $299–$700. A large cricket with new flashing, for a wider stack or a job that includes redoing the surrounding flashing, runs $700–$1,500. Price depends on chimney width, roof pitch, materials, and how much flashing is tied in. It is a modest investment compared with repairing the water damage a missing cricket allows. We provide a free written quote so you see the scope and cost up front.
Why crickets matter in the Puget Sound
Behind a chimney, the roof forms a valley that catches rain, pine needles, and moss debris. In our climate that back side stays wet, and water pools against the masonry and works under the flashing. A cricket sheds that water to both sides so it never sits against the stack. On wider chimneys, code and good practice call for one. Without it, the constant Seattle rain eventually finds its way into the roof deck and interior.
Signs you need a cricket
- Staining or leaks on the ceiling near the chimney.
- Pooling water, debris, or moss buildup behind the stack.
- Rusted or lifting flashing on the uphill side.
- A wide chimney with no diverter behind it.
If you see these, adding a cricket now is far cheaper than repairing a rotted roof deck later.
How to budget and get an honest quote
A cricket is a small line item that prevents a large one, so it is worth doing when you reroof or when you spot leaks behind the chimney. Ask whether new flashing should be tied in at the same time for a fully water-tight result. We provide a free written quote and a free second opinion if you have another estimate, plus price-match plus 10–25%. We recommend a cricket only when your chimney actually needs one.
What Chimney Cricket Installation Costs in Seattle (2026)
Real 2026 ranges for the Seattle–Tacoma–Everett area, with a free written quote before any work begins.
| Small cricket / saddle | $299–$700 |
| Large cricket + flashing | $700–$1,500 |
Get a free quote
See our full chimney service pricing, or learn more about Chimney Cricket Installation. You get a free written quote before any work begins — call 206-453-2045 or request your free quote online.