New Chimney

For all the suffering and headaches over radiators, we really needed this most excellent customer service experience.

The chimney had long ago crumbled at the roofline. They were no bricks remaining at the roof, and this caused all sorts of interesting problems. Water damage, literally pouring all the way down into the basement during rainstorms, is one major issue we're dealing with. The second, and more dangerous, is the venting from the furnace had become corroded (probably due to the water) and broken in several places (probably due to any breeze of any kind knocking it about, as it isn't attached to bricks any longer). After the holes in the vent pipe were created, carbon monoxide from the furnace seeps into the chimney, causing furthur damage to the bricks, and also posing a threat to anyone wishing to breathe. Bad news all around.

The Do-It-Yourself guides always advise DIYers to never, never, never take the first contractor's bid...and if you've heard me & C talk at all about our experiences with contractors, you'll know thatit's never been possible for us to pounce on the first bid since NOBODY WANTS OUR MONEY. They either bid so high we couldn't possibly afford it, no-show to the estimate interview, no show on the first day of the job, show up late the first day of the job, and on and on. Essentially, we have been forced to DIY. Good for us, because now we know how to do all this cool stuff.

Anyway, imagine my surprise when the first phone call I made to a masonry company was pleasant and efficient. How could I NOT jump on their bid?


We totally deserved this good service, considering all the hell we've gone through. These guys bid on Friday, started this morning, and have just about wrapped up the job today. Incredible! I can't even get the front porch painted in a day...I need to fire myself.

Hey- we know a great mason if you should happen to need one.