Warning over Christchurch earthquake chimney scam

A new phenomenon from the Canterbury earthquake: chimney scammers.

Merivale homeowner Jeremy Wyn-Harris says quake-hit victims are being asked to pay through the nose to have their chimneys removed.

"The going rate is about $40 an hour but there are some people charging up to $80 an hour," he said.

Mr Wyn-Harris paid $500 to have his two damaged chimneys taken down to roof level and have his roof made watertight with temporary tarps nailed to the roof with wood battens until a full repair job was carried out.

Scammers start out with one rate at the beginning of a street, then gradually increase it as neighbours shout out they need a hand too.

Mr Wyn-Harris, who works for the Builderscrack job website, said $30-$45 an hour was the rate for carpenters and $20 an hour for apprentices.