Ask These. Judge the Answers.
Chimney work is expensive and hard for a homeowner to evaluate after the fact — you can't easily inspect a crown from the ground. These ten questions separate contractors who know the work from those winging it. Ask us all ten; we welcome it.
1. How far down does the rebuild go, and how did you determine that? Vague answers ("as far as it needs") mean they haven't probed the masonry. You want a specific course or height and the test behind it.
2. What mortar are you using, and why that type for my brick? If they can't explain mortar hardness matching, they'll use whatever's on the truck — and it may destroy your brick.
3. What's the crown specification? You want: concrete (not mortar), minimum 2" at edges, sloped, with a drip edge and an expansion gap at the flue. "We'll put a new crown on" without specs is a red flag.
4. Is the cap included? What material? Stainless should be the answer. If the cap is excluded or galvanized, ask why.
5. How is the counterflashing installed? The only right answer: cut into the mortar joint. Surface-mounted with caulk is a future leak.
6. For relining: how are you sizing the liner? Liner sizing is a calculation based on the appliance, not a guess. Wrong size = draft problems.
7. Can I see the flue camera footage? Any contractor recommending liner work should show you the inside of your flue. No footage, no confidence.
8. What's excluded from this quote? The cheapest quote often just excludes the crown, cap, or flashing. Compare scopes, not totals.
9. Do I need a permit, and are you handling it? They should know the Charles County requirements for your scope and handle the paperwork if needed.
10. What happens if you find more damage once you start? Good contractors have a clear change-order process: stop, document, discuss, agree in writing before proceeding. Bad ones just keep working and surprise you on the invoice.
The Meta-Question
Notice how they react to being questioned. A contractor who gets defensive about straightforward technical questions is telling you something. The work is too expensive and too permanent to hire someone who can't explain it.
Ask us all ten. We mean it.