wrote in message

the specialist said the spalling of the bricks is
cosmetic and no health and safetyconcernr is present. (They quoted a
price of $2900 for the top 8 feet of the chimnety to be fixed.) Sine
the specialist said that it's cosmetic, the owners are refusing to fix
it. Are the spalling bricks really not a concern? Is that all there
really is to it? They are using the "health & safety concern" as a
loophole not to fix it. Thoughts? Comments?

As long as the inside flue is in good shape, it is not a problem. They did
the right thing is having it checked out. Bricks can spall on the outside,
but it does not mean there are safety concerns.

What you now have to do is decide if the house is still worth what you were
willing to pay and have it repaired at your cost if you don't like it. We
can't help with that.