Fireplaces are part of our normal home inspection.  

Yes, at my recommendation we sweep & inspect every chimney. I try to negotiate the sweep & the repairs on the seller, my buyer pays for the inspection. We have 100 year old homes around Balboa Park (San Diego Zoo) for example where the chimneys are regularly in a bad way and average $15,000 for a complete rebuild. Yes, we inspect! (Even condos).

yes, and I think it's a good idea.... everything you cannot see inside of you should have inspected...there may be no flue or it may need to be cleaned...or maybe it's a cracked flue...so many things could exist and all have danger associated with them....

It has happened in the past ~ Yes!

It's always a good idea to know what you are buying.

Hi Captain Wayne -- I'm attending a chimney inspection today -- it's quite common in our area.  

Typically the result of an inspector saying things like "The base may be retaining water and could provide an environment for mold."

Note there is nothing real or substantiated in the commentary but does result in additional homeowner expense to verify unicorns do not inhabit the property.

Yes; and like everything it is negotiable but generally falls into the buyer's lap.

Inspected Every time.  But we don't certify fireplaces for use  in Michigan.

Captain Wayne, yes this falls into the Home Inspection phase.

Yes, it is inspected in Oklahoma and the inspector may ask for further investigation by a professional.

Our home inspectors do a basic inspection of the chimney but if they note any items of concern, we always recommend that the buyer have an additional inspection by a chimney specialist, just as we would recommend specialists if there were any items of note with regards to the roof, plumbing, electrical, or foundation. 

Typically the fireplace and chimney is inspected during the regular home inspection.  If there are issues, then the additional inspection may be warranted.

Never!  That is a weird one for me.

Yes, it has come up in the midwest sometimes. They are usually always covered by home inspections, but have had buyers want a more detailed inspections of it.

No we don't do fireplacs down here.

Yes. I used to use a Chimney Sweep but she died of cancer. I guess the job is dangerous for your health. I loved recommending her and she was well respected.

Yes Captain Wayne, we have new codes here for fireplaces that require them to be lined. I personally spend $1,500 bucks to get it done on our fireplace.

Had this happen in California, especially in manufactured homes. Insurance problems if the fireplace has been added after market.

Yes. 

Funny you mention this: I had my fireplaces inspected and cleaned today!  An item on the "to do" list for a while now...am referring the company to other clients who have been in their homes a while. You have to maintain it!

yes - most every time on a wood burning fireplace. Rarely on a gas fireplace.

Yes.  Comes up in the home inspection, I have asked for it to be serviced by a professional before, grout tucked and filled, converted from gas to wood burning, and spark screen "arestor"/raincap on the top are common, also adding a spacer so the gas can escape, which is a fire safety item on gas fireplaces.  JEESH, didnt realize I knew that much about fireplaces until I started answering your question.

I ALWAYS recommended it whether they asked or not.  It was always part of the conditions for the seller to take care of.