Would appreciate an input about chimney pots removal.

[HappydaysArehere]

My friend is a widow and with no husband is confused about this. She has had rain staining her bedroom ceilings despite an attempt to replace flashing around chimney pots. She is going to have her roof replaced and the roofer said it would be looked at again but someone she knows has had her chimneys taken down. She thought maybe that would be the end of her problems but it will cost another two thousand.
Has anyone else had chimneys taken down and if so would you recommend it. I said I would ask Mumsnetters as they are a mine of information. Would be grateful if anyone has an opinion on this.

I've just had my roof replaced and a chimney removed. The cost of the roof was thousands but the chimney pots were a very minor part of that. Are you sure she is not being quoted for the whole chimney eg the chimney breasts? I've got that joy to do myself.

Thank you for replying. No she received the estimate for the roof and then asked how much to remove the chimneys (2) and she was told £2,000. It doesn’t include taking chimney breasts out. He would be fitting air vents on the outside.

Get more quotes. That sounds a lot. TBH having a roof replaced is scary, you can't see what they're doing when they're up there.
Has she chosen to get many quotes? Ask to see pictures of the work tat needs doing - mobile phones are great for that!
We had our chimney stack (at the top where it comes through the roof) rebuilt as it had 'moved' in storms. There was some water staining where the chimney breast met the ceiling.
Since we've had it rebuilt it's been fine. TBH and roofer that can't do reflashing to a good standard wouldn't be someone I'd get to put a new roof on!

Thank you. I am passing your inputs onto her.

Agree, we were charged about £1k to have a whole chimney stack removed from a bungalow - admittedly that was “mates rates” but £2k just to cap off the chimney pot at the top is ridiculous!
Definitely get more quotes!

I have been quoted £1250 to remove one chimney stack. So £2k to remove two sounds right. I was also offered the price of £850 to correct all of the faults in the chimney stack so it doesn't let water in. But this is not a permanent solution in that it will need maintaing over the years. So I prefer the complete removal option, which I think will be more economical in the long term.

OP, your friend may have to check with local planning about chimney removal before doing the work as they can be funny about it. A good repair/renew of the flashing should stop water ingress.