Chimney removal?

[emcicle.livejournal.com]

Hi all,

I'm here with another long-shot question, but DSLJ so rarely lets me down that I thought i'd give it a try.

We are contemplating changing our furnace to a direct vent furnace, which would make our chimney completely unused, allowing us for the first time to consider/explore having it removed. I plan to reach out to contractors to get quotes, but again fear this falls into the too big for a handyman, too small for a name brand co to want to take on... Has anyone, fairly recently, had their chimney removed? If so, can you give an idea of the cost, and also what it entailed (how they actually do it)? Does anyone know if they can remove part of it (i.e. the part in the basement) and shore up/leave the rest in the walls? Or does it all have to come down?

Thanks!

Comments

[totient]

We had one taken out as part of a larger job, and I can say (a) it's a big enough job that contractors will quote it for you even if you're not doing other work, (b) if you take out only part of it, it has to be starting from the top, not the bottom, and (c) chimney bricks are toxic waste and as such the longer you wait to do it, the more expensive it'll likely be.

[vonelftinhaus.livejournal.com]

Cost= $1650. 2 family home with 3 floors and the chimney was easily 3 feet by 1.5 feet ( I was going to measure for you but can't find my tape right now) and was probably a crew of 5 guys who did it. I got the permit but whoever does it for you will have to pull it to be under there insurance ( which cost $76 from the city) and to your question it will need to be completely removed which the city had mentioned when I pulled the permit. The crew that did mine did mention they had to "crawl" into a small space on another home that had done before mine. yes the price was a bit of a shock bit everything worked out great; heck the crew had basically finished tearing most of it down before the brick dumpster had arrived. This was done during a major renovation so all the walls were open, i'll look for a picture if need be but again this took less than 6 hours- anticipate having the roof patched also. i can supply a number of an individual who does roof and who would possibly do the chimney also. I always encourage chimney removal they are completely useless unless of course you have a beautiful fire place in your home.

[emcicle.livejournal.com]

Thanks, that's really helpful info. I wonder if it's more challenging if you won't have walls open? I I'd be interested in that contact info.

[somerfriend.livejournal.com]

I did it without opening walls. I drilled a few holes large enough to fit my hand/arm in to remove bricks, then I used the drywall I had drilled out and joint compound to patch the holes. Then painted. If you really want it to look super professional, you'd have to hire a separate trade to patch it up. Takes awhile but it worked.

I might have some downtime this summer after I finish working on a big project if you still needed someone.

[somerfriend.livejournal.com]

To clarify, what cost $76, the permit?

[vonelftinhaus.livejournal.com]

Yes I pulled a permit to specifically remove the chimney and it cost $76, I believe a minimum for a permit is $50 regardless.

Why?

[wobblymusic.livejournal.com]

What is the benefit of removing it? It's typically behind a wall, so you wouldn't gain any space and any toxicity is contained. Or am I missing something?

RE: Why?

[emcicle.livejournal.com]

It would actually free up significant floor space in our basement, and allow us to reclaim some space in a third floor bedroom that is fairly small. It's not a huge priority but would be nice if some day we could do it.

RE: Why?

[wobblymusic.livejournal.com]

Makes sense! Good luck.

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

How old is your roof?

[vonelftinhaus.livejournal.com]

Oh ya we gained kitchen space and space in one of the 3rd flr bedrooms- was worth it big time but again we were in the midst of a lot of other work at the time. They work from the top down when removing the chimney

[laryu.livejournal.com]

We took down a three story plus basement chimney. Part of a larger reno so I don't have a discrete budget. It took a crew of 3-4 about 4-5 hours, including stacking the bricks neatly in a truck. They start at the top and drop bricks down the chimney. Very orderly and efficient. It was a demo company, I think James Daley & Sons.