Expert: James Ball - 5/30/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hi
I am looking to purchase a home and the chimney is cracked from the top down about 10 feet.  The real estate agent pointed it out to me and I can visibly see it.  I asked if the homeowner would fix it and he said he would not as he's lowered the asking price.  I need to know what I'm getting into and if you think you could tell me what a repair like this would cost me?
here is the link to the home
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/631-Sennebec-Rd_Union_ME_04862_

ANSWER: Hello Lori, 1st beautiful home, as far as the chimney goes, I would have a local Certified Chimney Sweep www.csia.org, (there you can look up by zip code to find one near you) take a first hand look at what you have,  they should be able to help, this might require a video scan of the chimney, and further investigation of the wood stove flue I thought I saw in the pictures. this is one inspection you should have done before bidding the house as it could need a total rebuild of the chimney (I can not tell from the pictures)
Hope this helps
James


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi James, thank you for your quick response!  I will plan on getting an inspection, however, I was just trying to get a rough idea of what the cost to repair/replace a chimney that size would be. I have no idea if its 1000 or 10,000 etc. If I have a rough idea it might make it easier to choose another home to buy.
thanks again

Answer
Welcome back Lori, with out seeing it first hand I can not say, if it is just a crack on the out side brick then maybe $1000 to repoint, if it is structural then it will need to be rebuilt $15-20,000, so be sure to use a Certified Chimney Sweep to inspect that chimney (I would have a Certified Chimney Sweep do an inspection on any house you are going to buy not just your "home Inspection"
Keep me posted and good luck with any home  you do finally get
James