By the time a Level 3 is on the table, there’s already a documented trail: something a Level 1 flagged, a Level 2 camera couldn’t fully resolve, and a specific suspicion about a specific location. That specificity is what keeps the invasive part small.
Step one: choosing the access point
The prior findings tell us where to look, thermal damage patterns point to a flue section, moisture readings point to a chase face, movement evidence points to the base. We open the smallest access that answers the question: a drywall cutout sized to a stud bay, a few brick courses, a chase panel. Never “let’s open it up and see”.
Step two: the examination
Step three: restoration
Openings are closed properly, drywall finished, brick relaid with matched mortar, panels resealed. This is quoted as part of the Level 3 scope up front, which is worth confirming with anyone you hire: “who closes the wall?” should have a one-word answer, and that word is “we”, backed by the same workmanship guarantee as any of our repairs.
What it flows into
Confirmed damage moves to a fixed repair quote, typically liner work, smoke chamber reconstruction, or structural masonry. You’ll have the findings file, the footage, and the pricing before deciding anything. Talk it through with us first.