Your fireplace and chimney are assets; not only do they add value to your home’s resale value, but they also enhance your daily life, especially in the gray winter months. It’s logical that you would want to take care of these assets, but beware, there are predatory chimney services that don’t have your best interests in mind. With that disturbing thought, we offer you a guide to help: Protecting Your Property- Identifying and Avoiding Fraudulent Chimney Companies.
Sizing Up the RisksChimney cleaning scams can range from unnecessary services and price gauging to inflicting deliberate damage to extort money for repairs. The risks of falling for such scams include not just financial loss but also the potential danger of a chimney fire due to improper or incomplete cleaning. Read on to recognize these scams.
Be suspicious of “chimney sweeps” who contact you out of the blue, especially if they claim to have noticed problems with your chimney from the street or offer a too-good-to-be-true deal. They will often claim to be working on a neighbor’s house and drop the name of someone they spoke with to add legitimacy. Don’t be fooled.
Scammers often use scare tactics, claiming your chimney poses a severe safety risk and needs immediate, expensive repairs. A legitimate chimney sweep service will never pressure you to have inspections, cleaning, or repairs performed.
Reputable chimney service providers have no issue presenting identification and proof of certification. One of the biggest warning signs of a scam is when a service provider cannot provide their credentials.
Be cautious of companies that give vague descriptions of the problem and how they intend to fix it or provide estimates without a thorough inspection. A legitimate chimney sweep service will give you a written estimate of services to be performed before proceeding with a project.
Always research a company before hiring. A lack of online presence, poor reviews, or an unwillingness to provide references should raise concerns.
Look for companies with technicians certified by reputable organizations, such as the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). Certification means the technician has undergone proper training and adheres to high industry standards.
A trustworthy company will gladly provide references from previous customers. Take the time to call these references and ask about their experiences.
Before deciding, obtain quotes from several chimney sweep services. This practice will give you a better idea of the average cost for the services you need and help you spot outliers.
Ensure you understand the terms of service and the scope of work to be done. As previously stated, a qualified chimney sweep service will outline everything in writing, including costs, timelines, and guarantees.
Ensure the company has liability insurance and is licensed to work in your area. These credentials protect you in case of accidents or damage to your property.
The Bottom LineYour home’s safety comes first. While many chimney sweep companies are reputable and conduct business ethically, many don’t. You can protect your home, family, and bank account from fraudulent practices by recognizing these red flags and understanding how to find a reputable chimney cleaning service.
If you live in the wider Indianapolis, Northfield, Zionsville, Carmel, Noblesville, Fishers, Lawrence, Westfield, Avon, McCordsville, or Brownsburg areas and are seeking a reputable chimney sweep service, call 317-757-6979 or fill out our online contact form. Whether you’re looking to have your chimney inspected and cleaned or need repairs, you can count on us to do the right thing every time.
Our Service Area
If you live within 20 miles of Marion County, there’s no need to call any other chimney provider! The team here at Chimney Solutions Indiana will be in our marked trucks and clean uniforms and at your door on time! We travel to Zionsville, Carmel, Fishers, Brownsburg, Westfield, Geist, Eagle Creek, Noblesville and all throughout the Indianapolis, IN area.
We believe that education and ongoing training is important, which is why we continuously invest in ourselves and our team to deliver better service to you. We’re Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) – certified and members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG), so whenever advancements are made within the industry, we’re among the first to know about it. When you work with Chimney Solutions, you can expect the latest information and the most advanced services and techniques. We strive to exceed expectations on every job from a routine chimney sweep and chimney cleaning to a full chimney restoration.
We’re committed to providing the best service possible and look forward to serving you and your family, year after year. Call 317-757-6979 to get started! >>
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8602 Lafayette Rd Indianapolis, IN 46278
(317) 757-6979