Lindemann Chimney Supply: Newsletter October 2006

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Lindemann Chimney Supply sells wholesale only to the chimney and hearth industry.

October 2006

Don't let chimney problems blow the deal

Recently Lindemann Chimney Supply was asked by a large real estate organization to render our opinion on how to stop chimney problems from “blowing the deal.” Here is our response:

No one in the real estate industry wants a deal to go bad at the inspection stage. Much of your work has already been done and now you have to negotiate over repairs, especially when often they're over thousands of dollars.

Often times a home inspector will note that the chimney needs to be cleaned on his/her inspection of the property. Home inspectors generally open the damper and look up the chimney with a flashlight, but they rarely look down the flue from the top and almost never use video inspection equipment. If they see anything unusual they generally note it, but more often they recommend that the fireplace be cleaned. Generally speaking the inspector finds symptoms to larger problems, but believes a simple cleaning will take care of them. Usually these symptoms are a sign of neglect and often lead to expensive repairs.

If the seller is responsible to get the cleaning done before closing, they will call a chimney sweep. The homeowner generally states: “I am selling my home and the inspector noted to have my fireplace cleaned.” Sometimes the homeowner will go as far as saying: “I do not want you to do anything else other than clean the fireplace.”

When the chimney sweep arrives, he cleans the fireplace and chimney. It is industry standard for the chimney sweep to do an inspection with the cleaning. According to NFPA 211 - The Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel Burning Appliances - the sweep should perform a Level I Inspection when he cleans the fireplace. This inspection shall include readily accessible portions of the chimney exterior and interior; accessible portions of appliance and chimney connection.

In fact the NFPA also states that a Level II Inspection should be performed when property is being transferred. A level II inspection includes all components of a level I inspection and in addition encompasses all accessible portions of the chimney exterior and interior, including areas within accessible attics, crawl spaces and basements. The inspection shall include inspection by video scanning or other means of inspection.

Now the chimney sweep is professionally and ethically bound to report his findings from a very in-depth inspection process. Sure the homeowner can decline the inspection, but the sweep needs to document this to protect himself and his company. He will often note: “customer declined level II inspection.” Either way the chimney sweep creates “friction in the deal” by doing his job properly.

Codes and standards are evolving in the chimney industry at a rapid rate. Chimney sweeps whom become Certified Chimney Sweeps by the Chimney Safety Institute of America understand and are tested regularly on when they are required to perform each level of inspection. The good news is these standards are making homeowners safer by uncovering hidden defects. The bad news is, if the fireplace and chimney inspection are not dealt with properly by the buying or selling realtor they could break the deal.

Ideally, you would prepare your seller for chimney issues before the house goes on the market. Any material defects related to the chimney will be uncovered and addressed in a proactive manner that is now in the best interest of the seller.

Buyers too must be prepared to deal with chimney repair issues. The most obvious reason is to uncover any defects that the seller has not disclosed, or may not have been aware of. Any uncovered defects may strengthen the negotiation position of the buyer. The last thing any agent wants is their client to call them one week after the close to let them know the chimney cleaning they negotiated $150.00 off the selling price resulted in thousands of dollars of repairs in order to make the fireplace safe.

Many of the areas most prestigious real estate agencies have coupled with reputable chimney and fireplace companies to work side-by-side with them in buying and selling of property. These Brokers have felt they not only fulfilled fiduciary responsibility, but enhanced the overall service and value they provide to each and every client.

BACK ISSUES OF OUR NEWSLETTERS

September 2006

Labor Day

August 2006

Attitude

June 2006

Experience

May 2006

Opening or Closing

April 2006

What's it Worth

March 2006