Proper care and maintenance of your chimneys, wood stoves and fireplaces can help protect you from unnecessary fires and carbon monoxide poisonings. When trying to hire someone to clean your fireplace chimney, you may run into some issues, not knowing where to start. The details can often be overwhelming.
To help you make the process easier, full-service chimney sweep company, Batts’ Chimney Services put together a list of four things to consider before hiring a company or individual to clean your fireplace and chimney flue:
- Experience with Chimneys in Your Area
Does the technician have enough experience and training with the types of chimneys that are common where you live? Look for established service companies that have experience working on homes in your local area.
Different regions may be more prone to different types of issues. If a company is new to your area, it’s technicians may not yet be familiar with troubleshooting chimney problems locally. The differences could be due to construction style or even seasonal conditions!
- Ask What Is Included
When a chimney sweep company gives you a price, make sure you ask them what is included with their service. If it’s a chimney inspection then is it extra for the chimney cleaning? Do they use proper camera scan equipment for inspecting the interior of your chimney flue or do they stick a flashlight up your chimney? It all comes down to: you get what you pay for. Make sure to ask what you’ll receive.
- Price Isn’t Everything
When you call to inquire about each chimney sweep company, you may encounter different pricing. Remember, price isn’t everything. It’s worth protecting your home and family by having a chimney inspection and chimney cleaning done properly by the most skilled professional, even though their price may be a bit higher.
- Check Their Online Reviews
Finally, you must consider the review sources that track how successfully a company provides satisfactory customer service. A simple Google search is often all it takes to find a business’s reviews from their previous work.
Look both at reviews as a whole and browse through individual reviews to learn more about the company before you hire them. Reviews are a great source of candid experiences from previous customers that help you understand who you’re hiring.
It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially when it is your home and family at risk! Contact us today to “Keep it SAFE. Keep it CLEAN.” with your next routine chimney repair and cleaning. Submit our online form or call Batts’ Chimney Services at (256) 906-1139. We’ll be happy to schedule an appointment time that is convenient for you.
