Yes, removing a chimney is a difficult and major undertaking. Chimneys often provide structural support to a home, so if it's a load-bearing structure, you'll need to take extra precautions to maintain your home's integrity. A project of this complexity typically requires a structural engineer, a masonry contractor, and a demolition crew. The removal process may involve taking the chimney out brick by brick from inside the walls. The cost for chimney removal can range from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the job's complexity. Due to the difficulty and cost, some homeowners opt to remove the fireplace and seal the chimney at the top and bottom, sometimes also removing the visible exterior portion at the roofline.

You’re going to need a permit for nearly every roof-raising project. This is a very important step, as the work you’re doing has serious safety considerations. Professionals are the ones to handle this type of work—including sourcing the permits—as they have the expertise required to perform the work safely. Insurance and warranty are usually voided if you do this work without a permit, and you may even be required to halt construction and tear it down as a penalty for working without a building permit.

An improperly installed skylight could potentially impact your roof's warranty. This happens because roofing penetration is necessary during skylight installation. Check your warranty information to verify. In most cases, having skylights professionally installed with proof that flashing is being done to specifications can be enough to preserve your roof's warranty.

There’s no single best roofing material for flat roofs, but EPDM is considered an excellent option because it lasts longer than TPO roofing and built-up roofing, and it’s the most adaptive to extreme temperatures and variations in temperature. EPDM can also be highly energy-efficient at both ends of the climate spectrum, with black EPDM helping to reduce heating bills and white EPDM helping to keep your building cool in extreme summer temperatures.