DIY Home Improvement Forum banner

Chimeny Liner

4K views 7 replies 4 participants last post by  SLCKev 
#1 ·
Chimney challenge in Northern Virginia!!

I recently hired a chimney sweep to sweep my home's chimneys prior to selling the house. The house was built in the mid 1960. The chimneys are used to vent gas fireplace logs. One has been used only once in 4 years, the other is used for about 30 hours each winter.
I have never had any problems with the chimneys.

The chimney sweep company now is trying to get me to spend $8900 to get the chimneys relined. The chimney sweeper put a remote video camera in the chimney and told me he could see problems with the terracota liner; when I viewed the video I could tell what we were looking at.

It feels like he is trying to scam me.

Anyone out there with a simliar experience.

tbuddy
 
#4 ·
Wood Burning to gas - yes - gas logs

I get the feeling that this damage to the mortar between terracota tiles in normal wear and I am getting taken to the cleaners. $8900 seems awful expensive. I had another inspection and a different company quoted about $6500. On the internet I get message that a few hundred dollars per chimney is more reasonable.....what is a home owner to do......Northern VA prices seem awful steep! And, I am not getting a good feeling that it is a REAL problem.
tbuddy
 
#5 ·
Chimney Reline

redline said:
Is the reline a cement reline or a stainless steel liner?

A relative had a chimney relined and the price was around $650 for a stainless liner.

I would get a second opinion if you have concerns.
I appreciate your response...I had another quote...about $6500. Not sure why it is so expensive. Northern VA price are high....but I still feel I am getting taken to the cleaners. Could the damage they show in the video be normal wear that is made to look like more of an issue with video. I have heard stories that chimney sweeps get a % of the sale if they can sell a reline.
tbuddy
 
#7 ·
Is the chimney on the exterior of the house?

If the chimney has three sides exposed the entire height of the exterior then the liner needs to have insulation (cost more) aka a double wall liner. If the chimney is located on the interior of the house and is only exposed at the roof then a double wall liner is not needed and is not as expensive.
 
#8 ·
One thing for sure, if you're selling your house you'll never get that $8,900 cost back out of the sale, and I agree with the other posters that it's way to much money. Try to find a contractor that comes referred from a friend.

If it's a gas fireplace with an insert you may be able to put a metal flue up through it if code allows in your area. Either way, now that you know, you should disclose the uncertainty in a Seller's Disclosure when you sell.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top