1. Check the fireplace

The holiday blitz has arrived, which means it’s time to get your house in order. With meals to cook and gifts to buy, you don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute getting a wonky oven fixed or removing stains from the living room carpet.

Here are five projects to tackle before the holiday guests come calling. The roundup includes price info from HomeAdvisor’s True Cost Guide to help keep your holiday budget in check. to repair fireplace cracks, according to HomeAdvisor’s True Cost Guide.

Before you fire up the yuletide log, make sure your fireplace is safe and sound. If it has been years since your last chimney sweep, consider bringing in a pro for the job. A clean sweep will remove built-up soot and creosote, which left unchecked can pose a serious fire hazard.

You should also inspect the firebox for cracks, since they can create a pathway for stray embers into your home’s structure, another serious fire risk.

You can expect to pay between $124 and $328 to clean the chimney, and between $175 and $3,000