Chimney & Fireplaces/Repair vs Rebuild

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Expert: - 10/26/2007


Question
QUESTION: I have a question about whether I should repair or rebuild my chimney.  I have receive quotes from three different sources and received four different recommendations/quotes.  

My chimney has some visibly loose bricks and I had chips of mortar on my back porch after last winter, so I know I need to do something.  It also looks like the chimney has been tuck pointed once before.  I will probably stay in this house for 5 more years at most.  

I have a good close-up picture of the chimney if that will help, I can send it to you.

My question is what is the best thing to do and how do I pick a good craftsman?  Here are the quotes I received:

1) Repair/tuckpointing - $250 - estimated to last 5 yrs.

2) Repair/tuckpointing - $625

3) Full rebuild - $495 - tuckpointing will not be realistic because it won't last long and because its been done before.  Further, because the way the chimney is built, it will crumble if the mortar is ground out.  Rebuild would not look as artistic as original.

4) Full rebuild - $1275 - likely will look just the same as original.

ANSWER: Tom,

Option 4 is the best if you have spalling and loose bricks.

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc.
Wichita, KS
Voice: 316-265-9828
Fax: 316-265-9890
www.homesafeks.com


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

QUESTION: Thank you for your response.  My follow-up is why would one quote for rebuilding be twice as expensive as any other quote I have received?

Thanks again for your time.

Answer
Hi Tom,

I feel that quote is more accurate for a complete job.  It's more in line with what I would consider industry norms for a small chimney rebuild.

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc.
Wichita, KS
Voice: 316-265-9828
Fax: 316-265-9890
www.homesafeks.com  

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Bart Ogden

Expertise

I can answer questions related to chimney and fireplace cleaning, construction and repair as well as questions related to the performance of chimneys and fireplaces. I can also answer questions related to clothes dryer vent cleaning and repair. Additionally, I can field questions related to masonry repair.

Experience


Experience in the area:
28 years experience in the chimney service/installation/repair field
President, Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc. Wichita, Kansas

Professional Organizations:
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG)
Member, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA)
Member, Kansas Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps (KGPCS)
Member, Midwest Chimney Safety Council (MCSC)
Member, Kansas Association of Real Estate Inspectors (KAREI)
Past At-Large Director of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past At-Large Director of the Chimney Safety Institute of America
Past Secretary, National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past Secretary, Chimney Safety Institute of America
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild Technical Advisory Council
Member, Chimney Safety Institute of America Certification Committee
Past Chairman, CSIA Chimney Safety Education Brochures Committee
Past Chairman, NCSG Nomination Committee

Publications:
SWEEPING Magazine, The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technoloty, A Publication of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
SNEWS, The Chimney Sweep News
THE KANSAS SWEEP, The Voice of the KS Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps

Education/Credentials:
BA, Wichita State University
C.S.I.A. Certified Chimney Sweep
C.S.I.A. Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician
N.F.I. Woodburning Specialist
N.F.I. Gas Specialist
Chimney Diagnosis & Documentation Seminar
Ahren's Masonry Restoration School Graduate
Advanced Gas Certification
Master Gas Certification
Licensed Mechanical Contractor
Pellet Appliance Specialist
Venting Design Specialist
Dale Carnegie Course Graduate

Awards and Honors:
Superior Dealer Award, Ventinox Chimney Lining Systems

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