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Why Price Matters When Hiring a Chimney Company

certified chimney sweeps in west hartford ct After several months of using the fireplace, wood stove and other heating appliances in the home its time to inspect and clean the chimney. And many homeowners often wonder if price matters when hiring a chimney company. The short answer is yes, but its only part of the equation.

The other part of the equation is the perceived value of the goods and services received. In other words, what services are you getting for the price? Often homeowners have difficulty determining whether or not they are getting a good value for a service because they don’t always know what the service should really cost.

 How much does a chimney sweep cost?

So, how much should a chimney sweep cost? The cost of a level 1 chimney cleaning by a certified chimney sweep will cost between $150 and $300, depending on where you live. If a more extensive cleaning is required, the price will be even higher. Chimney experts state that it takes approximately one hour to properly perform a level 1 inspection and chimney sweep.

 Beware of scams

When a deal is not a good deal.  According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), homeowners need to watch out for scam artists who are going around door-to-door and telemarketers trying to lure homeowners on the phone with ridiculously low offers to inspect or clean a chimney. “It is extremely important for homeowners to do their research before allowing just any chimney business to inspect their home,” said Paula Fleming, VP for BBB of Eastern Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont. These scammers are often unlicensed and non-certified (although they may claim otherwise). The main goal of a chimney scam is to hard-sell the homeowner on expensive services or repairs that are not necessary.

In some communities, chimney scammers have phoned homeowners falsely claiming they are working with the fire department. It is important for consumers to note that fire departments do not work with individual chimney companies.

 How to hire a chimney company

chimney experts in rocky hill ct The best way to hire a chimney company is to do your own research. The first step is to ensure the chimney company has a current and valid license in their state and employs certified chimney sweeps. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) are the two nationally recognized certification bodies. Many chimney sweeps are certified by both organizations.  Next, check their online reviews and if they have any complaints from the BBB. Make sure you have a thorough understanding of the work that will be performed in your home. When the chimney sweep arrives at your home they will not be offended when you ask to see their CSIA or NCSG credentials before allowing them access to your chimney.

 

 

 

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