Chimney metal flue liner: $3,000 for installation
#1
12-14-15, 10:02 AM
Chimney metal flue liner: $3,000 for installation
Hi all, I have a chimney exhaust problem and I was hoping y'all would have some insight on what I should do.
Long story short, a chimney repair company quoted me $3,000 to install a metal flue liner in my chimney for the furnace and water heater exaust. See their detailed quote at the end of the post. Is it worth it?
The house is a 1938 stone house, and the chimney is not in great shape. The tile flue liner has cracks, the exterior was badly deteriorated (re-mortered 6 months ago though), and the crown was not correctly poured. It was not well taken care of for years. Since we started using the heat a couple months ago, the mortar has darkened and my wife is afraid that we've damaged the chimney.
I was looking at some DIY flue liner options because $3,000 is a lot to invest in this. That doesn't even include the additional $7,000 to get the fireplace part in working order.
My question: is it worth doing this? Is the work appropriate for the price they quoted me? I've had some tell don't even worry about, and others tell me I need to take care of it now. I guess it's hard to know if I'm being taken advantage of. If I'm spending $3,000 I want to know it's going to good use. Are there any other solutions?
the company's quote:
I can attach the photos they took as soon as I get them.
Long story short, a chimney repair company quoted me $3,000 to install a metal flue liner in my chimney for the furnace and water heater exaust. See their detailed quote at the end of the post. Is it worth it?
The house is a 1938 stone house, and the chimney is not in great shape. The tile flue liner has cracks, the exterior was badly deteriorated (re-mortered 6 months ago though), and the crown was not correctly poured. It was not well taken care of for years. Since we started using the heat a couple months ago, the mortar has darkened and my wife is afraid that we've damaged the chimney.
I was looking at some DIY flue liner options because $3,000 is a lot to invest in this. That doesn't even include the additional $7,000 to get the fireplace part in working order.
My question: is it worth doing this? Is the work appropriate for the price they quoted me? I've had some tell don't even worry about, and others tell me I need to take care of it now. I guess it's hard to know if I'm being taken advantage of. If I'm spending $3,000 I want to know it's going to good use. Are there any other solutions?
the company's quote:
$3,000
Set up 25' of scaffolding by chimney. Chisel out mortar inside furnace side of chimney. Install 5'' gas B-vent liner into existing liner. Install new B-vent pipe into thimble. Connect furnance with water heater with a y-connector. Replace B-vent pipe to units as needed. Install a custom fabricated galvanized chase cover to top of existing chimney with hole for B-vent to come through. Install gas B-vent cap to liner. Remove scaffolding.
Set up 25' of scaffolding by chimney. Chisel out mortar inside furnace side of chimney. Install 5'' gas B-vent liner into existing liner. Install new B-vent pipe into thimble. Connect furnance with water heater with a y-connector. Replace B-vent pipe to units as needed. Install a custom fabricated galvanized chase cover to top of existing chimney with hole for B-vent to come through. Install gas B-vent cap to liner. Remove scaffolding.
#2
12-14-15, 10:34 AM
Member
I can't speak to the size of the estimate, perhaps others here can. But how old is your furnace and water heater? You might be better off spending the 3k toward high efficiency furnace and WH that would vent using PVC out the side of your home rather than using the chimney. Then you could essentially abandon the chimney, just doing enough maintenance on it to keep it from crumbling.
That would run you more than 3k but if you are going to need to replace them fairly soon anyway it might make more sense. Plus you get the benefit of lower energy costs.
That would run you more than 3k but if you are going to need to replace them fairly soon anyway it might make more sense. Plus you get the benefit of lower energy costs.
#4
12-14-15, 12:13 PM
I didn't see it in the Bid, so I gather you weren't expecting them to include re-pointing the brick/stone work or to re-do the crown of the chimney ?
#5
12-21-15, 10:38 AM
For what it's worth, my house has a chimney liner for the water heater. It's a 4" liner going up a masonry/clay chimney that is not in good shape at the top (brickwork & mortar). It was done before I purchased the house & I'm assuming the chimney was in bad shape prior to that, but some receipts showed it cost the previous owner around $700.
To be fair to the contractor doing the bid, ask if they've accurately described the amount of work. Some guys'll do more than others & the price will reflect that.
To be fair to the contractor doing the bid, ask if they've accurately described the amount of work. Some guys'll do more than others & the price will reflect that.
#6
12-22-15, 01:43 PM
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I have a similar issue. Had a gas heater in the basement for some 30 years. it finally went. Had a new one installed by a licensed contractor, who took out a permit and when the town inspector came to check it he said I needed to get a liner now. That is the town code, he said.
I have yet to do so as I'm not using the heater. It will become an issue if I sell the home and they see that open permit. It can also become an issue for the insurance inspector.
If you are smart you will take care of it. Get another estimate because you will always find a better price... I know that for sure... but get it done to code and get it inspected so there are no issues later should you have a fire.
At the time, a few years ago, I was quoted around $1500 for the work. Yes, you can buy the materials for cheap but unless you're licensed the town will not sign off on it nor will the insurance company.
I have yet to do so as I'm not using the heater. It will become an issue if I sell the home and they see that open permit. It can also become an issue for the insurance inspector.
If you are smart you will take care of it. Get another estimate because you will always find a better price... I know that for sure... but get it done to code and get it inspected so there are no issues later should you have a fire.
At the time, a few years ago, I was quoted around $1500 for the work. Yes, you can buy the materials for cheap but unless you're licensed the town will not sign off on it nor will the insurance company.
