Chimney tech said fireplace looked good, but the report later called it 'inoperable'

A first-time homebuyer seeking clarity about a chimney issue instead ended up with two conflicting versions of the same inspection. 

What initially sounded like a fairly minor repair during the inspection later showed up in writing as a much more serious and expensive fireplace problem.

Here's what to know

The homeowner took to Reddit to explain their issues. The situation began when a standard home inspection couldn't provide a clear view inside the chimney. That led the buyer to bring in a CSIA-certified company for a level 2 follow-up. 

What they were told at the property suggested the fix would be limited. But once the buyer received the quote/inspection, they encountered "COMPLETELY different [information] than what I was told at the site." They then shared their story to Reddit's r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer community.

The original poster wrote, "Told us on site that the chimney looked good and doesn't need any further repairs besides a stainless steel pipe for the water heater exhaust flue." 

But after the quote was delivered, OP found that "The inspection stated the fireplace was inoperable and in awful shape, stainless steel insert for the gas exhaust was no longer on the quote but replaced with a full liner for the fireplace itself." 

The OP also said, "Cherry on top is that my signature is on this different report I didn't even sign. When I called back the next day I was told the owner had made that report and not the tech on site," before asking the Reddit forum, "Anyone else have a similar situation happen and what did you do to remedy this?"

Commenters quickly focused on the disconnect between the company's statements. The top comment read, "So the tech that came out and did the onsite inspection told you the truth. But the owner hopes to make a lot of money off this fireplace and is giving a report and repair estimate to reflect that."

Another user added, "The chimney is fine, since the actual human told you as much. Whoever wrote this either mixed yours up with another, or is most [likely] trying to upsell." A third commenter wrote, "I would be demanding some explanation on this before I move forward."

"Whatever you do with the fireplace, use a different company as this one is not honest," one commenter succinctly wrote.

What can be done?

When an on-site explanation does not match the written report, the first step is to document everything. Buyers can ask the company to explain each finding, provide photos or video from the inspection, and clarify why the scope of repairs changed after the visit.

It is also wise to keep copies of signed documents, estimates, emails, and any notes taken during the appointment. If a signature appears on paperwork that was never approved, that is a major issue worth challenging immediately and in writing.

Chimneys and exhaust systems are not cosmetic concerns. If something is truly wrong, it can affect safety, indoor comfort, and how efficiently a home operates. If a repair recommendation is exaggerated, homeowners can end up spending thousands of dollars on unnecessary labor and materials.

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