Questions to Ask Before Entrusting a Chimney Sweep
Certified chimney sweeps take the safety of your home and family seriously, but not every chimney sweep deserves homeowners’ trust. Chimney sweeping is an unregulated industry, which opens the door for unethical individuals without training of any kind to offer services. Experts like the NFI-certified chimney sweeps at Chimney Specialists Inc. have training, experience, and expertise that homeowners can count on. To ensure that the safety of your home and family is in good hands, read on to learn what to look for before trusting a chimney sweep.
How Long in Business?
Any legitimate chimney sweep company these days has a website. If you have had a visitor knocking at your door with a remarkably low rate for chimney services, it could be a big mistake to hire the company without doing research. Checking online reviews is a good place to start.
If a company has been in business for a while, there should be plenty of online resources that shed light on what customers think of it. With little to no feedback that you can find as evidence that the business has been winning over local homeowners, it would be quite a risk to hire that company. All across the nation, fly-by-night chimney sweeps have been cheating homeowners out of their money and robbing them of the peace of mind that comes from knowing their fireplace is safe to use.
Any Local References?
Every new business has to start somewhere. You may want to trust a new company, but some references should be verified first. History shows that a large percentage of unknown chimney sweeps that drop into towns and offer irresistible pricing are unscrupulous characters.
Is the Chimney Sweep Company Insured?
Ask if the chimney sweep company has valid business liability insurance. Follow up on any information you receive to verify it, especially if it’s a new company. You will not be held responsible if a chimney sweep is injured on your property if the company carries business liability insurance.
Hearth Installation Expertise?
If you are ready to add a new hearth product to your home, it is essential to have the help of an expert. Chimney sweeps certified by the National Fireplace Institute® have training in the installation of fireplaces, stoves, and their venting systems. Various decisions related to a new hearth system make an enormous difference in safety, efficiency, and/or performance. If your chimney sweep company is NFI-certified, you can be confident that appliance sizing, placement, floor protection, and installation all contribute to maximum safety and efficiency.
An NFI-certification Is a credential acquired through a nationally recognized program. Anyone with such a certification has passed a rigorous examination that covers the fundamentals of proper hearth installation.
About Chimney Specialists
In the late 1970s, Chimney Specialists Inc. got its start as a small chimney sweep and chimney repair service, and we’ve met the criteria for a trustworthy chimney sweep company all these years. We’ve continued to grow, and Chimney Specialists Inc. now represents more than 40 hearth manufacturers. We have showrooms in southwest Wisconsin and specialize in chimney repair, chimney cleaning, chimney relining, and other services, as well. You can visit our Highland, WI showroom located at 869 Main Street or call Chimney Specialists Inc. at (608) 929-4887. If our sister location is more convenient for you, visit 925 Century Drive in Dubuque, Iowa, or call Dubuque Fireplace & Patio at (563) 582-5156.
