Hazards of Home Ownership.

[bloodsong1]

So I made a few calls, talked to two chimney sweep companies and gave the job to the guy who quoted me $85 for cleaning the chimney, capping to be estimated pending chimney size.

Then I do some more research and discover the guy I agreed to isn't certified by the National Chimney Sweep Association of America.

...

I called him back tonight and said there was a medical issue and I would call him to reschedule.

I feel pretty bad about this, as I've always disliked the customers who make the appointments and then call the night before or the morning of and cancel. However, the second company I talked to, the ones who ARE certified, informed me that $85 is serious undercutting for the job. Cleaning a chimney usually runs about $140.

I already was suspicious of $85 guy, but now I'm downright scared. Even if I never use the fireplace as a wood-burning unit, I still want a proper job done!

What do you guys think?

Comments

[sheherazahde.livejournal.com]

You get what you pay for. You have watched enough "Holmes on Homes" to know what happens when your get someone who cuts corners.

Have you considered paying for an Angie's List membership?
It might have to wait till you get a job but as a home owner it might be worth the expense.

You could call my mom and ask her who cleans her chimney.

[bloodsong1.livejournal.com]

I looked up Angie's list and it's about $20/yr. Not unreasonable, but not something I want to pay for at this minute.

I talked to your mom and she can't remember. She said a friend cleaned it the last time and she hasn't used the fireplaces in a long time.

On the Angie's List issue....

[sammisnake.livejournal.com]

I had a membership and ended up canceling it, because as a resident of the Southern Tier it was useless. All of the references were for companies out of, you got it, New York City, or Albany, Buffalo, or Syracuse. When I complained about no references for my area, they suggested I buy an additional membership for the other cities, and when I explained that i want to do business locally, not with someone form 4 hours away, theu asked me if I wanted to be responsible for STARTING the reference bank for this area! I nicely told them no, thanks- I just want to be able to use the service, don't want to run it.
Good luck with the chimney- the Beloved does ours himself.

Re: On the Angie's List issue....

[page-of-swords.livejournal.com]

What's involved with doing it yourself?

Tools, I discovered.

[bloodsong1.livejournal.com]

None of which I have.

[kenshardik]

Does the guy you hired sound like Dick Van Dyke?

[bloodsong1.livejournal.com]

No, but he sounded young and further investigation revealed an unhappy customer who complained about lack of follow up.