What are these chimneys worth?

[TNhobbyfarmer]

These old chimneys are on my place. The old homeplace burned about ten years ago. The chimneys are probably 75 years old. They are cut/hewn, not just gathered fieldstone. A guy wants to buy the stone from me. I really don't want to sell them, but if the price is right......

Does anyone have an idea what they are worth? Here are some pictures.

 

[gordon21]

Stone itself is relatively cheap. It's the labor and freight that run up the bill. I hate to sound pessimistic, but if he gives you $500 cash, I say run with the money. Get paid BEFORE he starts tearing them down. After he gets them onto the ground and sees the interior condition, he may change his mind. Then you would have no chimneys, no money and a mess.

Set a time limit on how long he has to remove them. You don't need someone coming onto your land several times per week for months on end getting 5-10 stones at a time. 2-3 weeks would sound reasonable. He may want to number the pieces for reassembly.

 

[caver]

Without maintenance they will succumb to the elements and topple anyway,,,,,just a thought.

 

[WayneB]

Not sure what they are worth, but I do agree with getting paid before they take them down.

We were given a chimney from a friend after their house burnt down. I figured we would have all of the bricks we would need to do our chimney, but the heat of the fire and use caused all of the bricks to brake / crumble when we took it apart.

I am not sure if stone would do the same?

Wayne

 

[EddieWalker]

Price of rock varies all over the country. Here it's expensive because it all has to be brought in. Native stone in an areas it's from is always gonna be relatively cheap. You'll just have to price it out, then take into consideration the labor and time it will take to disasemble and remove your stone. I'd guess half or a third of what it will cost sitting on a pallet would be about right.

I'd give it away just to get rid of it, but it sounds like you like them sitting there. If it's something you enjoy and will miss, then a couple hundred bucks is hardly worth it.

If you decide to sell them, be sure to get payment first, and also be sure to include a clean up deposit. Decide how long it will take you to clean up his mess and what your time is worth to do it yourself, then add a little to that number. I've gone as high as $1,000 before, but $500 is usually enough. Tell them there is a time limit, or it must be cleaned up to your satisfaction. If not, you keep the money.

I've found this does two things. It will change there mind and they won't even want it anymore, or they will do a really nice job of cleaning up after themselves and not destroy your land. It's a win-win for you. More cash if they trash your place, or you get a quality job and no headaches.

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[jimg]

Need more data: what sort of stone is it? Is it local stone or from somewhere else? In NH where I used to live cut granite (even used) was worth a fair amt. OTOH uncut field stone was worth somewhat less. If your chimneys are local stone I suppose youll get a max of what local suppliers sell for. If its from 'away' then youll need to do some homework on what it is and worth in your area. Another factor would be whether it has any traceable history to it and/or contains carvings etc. That would probably play into price as well.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

These old chimneys are on my place. The old homeplace burned about ten years ago. The chimneys are probably 75 years old. They are cut/hewn, not just gathered fieldstone. A guy wants to buy the stone from me. I really don't want to sell them, but if the price is right......

Does anyone have an idea what they are worth? Here are some pictures.

I would not sale I think it adds character to the land.

I have a couple of chimneys on a some of my property and one has fallen down and the other is still attached to an old homeplace. I am going to use the one that has fallen on our new house, very nice granite. When the other comes down, if ever, I will use it for landscaping.

 

[mjarrels]

My concern would be "liability" when one didn't come down just right. Old and unstable.

mark

 

[N80]

I would not sale I think it adds character to the land.

Ditto. Way to cool to sell or tear down.

 

[bones1]

Agree with others.A lot of character and memories inside those walls.I'd leave em be.