Hi, a newbie here, both to home ownership, and the skills of
navigating with trades. We have a 1941 stucco house with lots of work
to be done - we're starting with what's crumbling, and moisture issues
before we get to have any fun.

I had a mason at the house today telling me that our chimney, which
has had portions of bricks fall, and mortar impaired by means of the
vine in my posting title, must be rebuilt above the roof line. Cost:
$3000 Canadian. OUCH. The price seems high, as well, my husband
recalls the same person saying the missing brick pieces could be
replaced without a rebuild, only a few months ago.

I can post a picture tomorrow if it helps - just wanted to consult
your expertise here before I call more trades.

Thanks!

Boondoggle

On 23 Apr 2007 20:46:12 -0700, boondoggle wrote:

Hi, a newbie here, both to home ownership, and the skills of
navigating with trades. We have a 1941 stucco house with lots of work
to be done - we're starting with what's crumbling, and moisture issues
before we get to have any fun.

I had a mason at the house today telling me that our chimney, which
has had portions of bricks fall, and mortar impaired by means of the
vine in my posting title, must be rebuilt above the roof line. Cost:
$3000 Canadian. OUCH. The price seems high, as well, my husband
recalls the same person saying the missing brick pieces could be
replaced without a rebuild, only a few months ago.

I can post a picture tomorrow if it helps - just wanted to consult
your expertise here before I call more trades.

Thanks!




$3000 wouldn't be a bad price around here, and if your
bricks are spalling, you're almost certainly better off
rebuilding the part of the chimney that's exposed to weather.

You could just replace the damaged brick, but that's a lot
like putting bondo on a rotted out car. It's a way to
suck an extra year or two out of something that you've
given up on actually fixing. If you're going to
go that route, just do it yourself, and don't bother
hiring a mason, there's no point in paying a skilled
craftsman to do a ****ty job.