Chimney Lining

Hi Everyone,

I'm feeling a little dejected and worn down at the moment having bought the house of horrors earlier this year and it needing complete renovation (we knew it needed work doing - just not quite so much).

Yesterday I got a chimney sweep out to take a look at the chimney (so far the survey has failed to have spotted any of the issues in the house so I thought it best to have it checked and cleaned before lighting the fire). The sweep has told me that the lining has deteriorated to the point where holes are appearing and it will need re-lining. He recommended 8 inch diameter lining and promised to send a quote over. He told me this would be a single days work. He showed me the inside of the chimney after it was swept and having had a look online the age of the property and what I saw confirms what he told me.

That evening I bumped into a friend who I mentioned the problem to. She asked who I'd had out to look at the chimney and specifically mentioned this company before I did. Apparently they have behaved quite appallingly to a mutual friend - to an extent I would be concerned to use this company.

I'm therefore trying to find other options. So far I've had one company who were distracted and have mixed reviews online so I probably won't use them, one company who have told me that really it couldn't be done, would be hugely difficult and risky and I should either get a stove (which they sell) or use thermocrete rather than liner (which comes in at around £2,000 - £2,500 I understand from online - I've asked them to quote but this is a huge amount for us), I'm trying another chimney sweep now.

Please could I ask if anyone had any work like this done successfully in the past? If so how much did it roughly cost and was it successful? Also, please could I ask who did the work in case I am missing any options. I'd go to a builder but I am aware the work will probably need building regs and also may be better done by someone specialising in this stuff.

Many thanks in advance everyone.