"WPB" wrote

Good advice. I'll ask both the $175 guy and the $1,400-$4,000 guy exactly
what they would do. Both these guys work for chimney repair companies and
aren't handy-men. But the $175 guy is also pushing the $2,500 liner in a
really hard-sell way and that's put me off. Yes, the bricks are
definitely
loose and I can pull them out by hand (and I have). But for an area so
small my gut-feeling was that this shouldn't be a multi-thousand dollar
job. It's not like I want the chimney floor in gold leaf. Up to $4,000
for just a brick and mortar job? Ay-yi-yi.

Grin, you *may* have some chimney damage. It may be relatively minor and
fixable with a mere liner.

I needed repair to my liner. Long story made short, my house was rented for
6.5 years and they didnt abide by contract for annual professional cleanings
and inspection. I got off lucky with a bill for 1,725$ for repairs. I had
no serious damage but would have if we had not gotten back before the next
freeze-thaw winter pattern. It was also very unsafe to use until the work
was done.

In our case, we did *not* get multiple estimates. We went with a well known
quality fireplace repair local company with an outstanding reputation.
Theirs is so good, our local StateFarm place was smiling when we told them
who we were using. (Turned out we could not file a claim but that's mostly
because we are honest folks and didnt try to claim recent storm damage).

Well, I'm a new homeowner (well, almost four years now) so there's always
something to learn.

Sure is! Even for those of us who've had one longer!