Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - Replace or cover leaky cap on prefab chimney?

I've got a leaky cap on my prefab chimney. I'm talking about the 3' X 6' galvanized flat cap that covers the entire top of the prefab chimney stack. The stack is framing covered by siding. This is the typical cheap, no-brick chimney that you see everywhere nowadays.

I have two quotes from two companies who are proposing very different approaches to the problem. The first proposes to remove and replace the entire cap with a new sheet metal cap, new collars, and new rain collars. The stainless steel version of the job would cost about $700. The second contractor proposes leaving the old galvanized sheet in place and covering it with a rubber material that has a 15 year guarantee. This job also includes rubber gaskets around the stacks and metal rain collars for the stacks. This job is about $350.

I like thinks done right, and I'm planning on staying in the house for a long time. Which way should I go? Cover what I have with this rubber product? Or put a new cover on top of the chimney stack? With the latter approach I still have to check/replace silicone caulking on the stacks every couple years.

Any advice?

In Delaware, I was quoted $460/galvanized and $620/stainless for the chase lid (i.e., the metal pan). It was an extra $100-200 for the cap (i.e., the safety housing that protrudes from the pan).

I think the stainless would be a better long-term & low-maintenance solution. However, I think it looks out-of-place. If it gets a dulled patina after a while it might look okay, but I don't know if stainless does it (copper looks great after a while, but it's really expensive). We should ask, huh?

I was also curious if sand/caulk/paint is a viable option.

My advice? It's hard to access the chimney top. The more trouble-free you can make it, the better off you'll be. So I guess my advice is: [1] lean toward stainless and [2] whichever you choose, the workmanship is most important.

The cost for a new top is high from what we get. But they are diff all over. Id shop around at sheet metal shops there.
I can see the $700 for SST I guess . Ask how much for 24ga Galv. for the same job . Now that will last a long time.

Just an old tin bender

ED ;)

I'am a professional chimney sweep in the southeast and I usually charge 225.00 for galvanized and 450.00 for stainless. Shop around!!!