Home Inspection question

[NetWareHead]

I'm a few days away from closing on a house, my first place BTW. I've already had the main home inspection and it revealed cracks in the inside brickwork in the hearth of the fireplace, otherwise known as the firebox. I asked the owner to replace the entire firebox and he since has done so. I really dont trust the owner of the place to do the most complete job, I'm afraid he merely put a band-aid on the problem rather than fixed it like he should have. Is there someone I can call that specializes in just fireplaces that can come out and do an inspection? I'm going to call some fireplace installation places when I get home from work and possibly my town fire dept. may have some answers. Any other suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Toasthead]

Call a chimney sweep place...they ususally will do inspections too...thats what I did when I sold my old house.

 

[NetWareHead]

Thanks...ill try that

 

[whoiswes]

yeah, we had JUST the fireplace inspected by a licensed chimney sweep AFTER the normal house inspection.

should be about $100 and is worth every penny.

good luck.

 

[MedicBob]

Agreed with the sweeper idea. They know exactly what to look for vs home inspector=general idea

 

[imported_Sasha]

I'm a little confused. You asked the owner to do something and you said he has done so. But, for some reason, you don't trust him. Did you ask him to have it replaced by a qualified individual, maybe someone licensed bt the state? If not, that's your fault. Be clear about what you want. BTW, is there additional brickwork on the home? If so, see if proper through-flashing and weeping is installed. Depending on the age of the home and local codes, this may not be something you need to bother addressing unless there are obvious defects. How old is the place, and what has been disclosed to be owner?

 

[NetWareHead]

Yes he has had qualified individuals come do the work, I just want to make absolutely sure that the proper work was done. After all, I'm going to light fires in this thing and I'd like to not burn down my place. This guy objected so strongly over the amount of repairs I requested he perform, gave the most rediculous arguments to not doing the work and stalled for so long I nearly called off buying his place. Bottom line...I don't know much about fireplaces, I'd just like to ensure he really fixed it rather than band-aided it.