I'd posted a question a while back about using a pro to clean up after a smoky chimney fire, or do it myslef. I went with the pro, and I'm glad I did. They were here for the better part of three days, and did an excellent job.

My problem now is that I need to replace the entire chimney, bottom to top. The present one is an outside chimney on the front corner of the house. All expenses were spared in building it; the flue should have been 9"x12" but it was only 9"x9". Also, there was no clean out below the hole for the stove pipe.

My preference is to move the d..n thing to the center of the house, which is quite possible as there are no structural barriers other than 2 floors and the roof. I've been told that this will be expensive, but I also have been told that the average life of an outside masonry chimney in New England is thirty years.

Is this a project that a very stubborn and persistent homeowner, with the dragooned help of two sons-in-law can do on her own, or am I gonna have to hire a pro? Any guestimates as to cost? the house is a story-and-a-half ranch, with the wood stove located in the basement. Oh, yeah, I am going to have to buy a new wood stove, as the fire cracked the back of the old one clear across.

Any suggestions are much appreciated.

trekbyke