How to Avoid Chimney Sweep Scams

One common home improvement scam involves a person coming to your house offering to do a chimney inspection. They might claim to be calling for a boiler room instead. Much like the basement waterproofing scams that often use telemarketers, they will offer a no or low cost inspection. Once the inspection is completed, they will offer repairs that may or may not be needed, typically the line will be that your chimney needs a new liner that can be replaced for several thousand dollars.

While fireplace chimneys can pose many dangers to the home, you might want to check with your the fire department in your neighborhood before agreeing to these inspections. Many will conduct chimney inspections for free as a public service. For wood burning chimneys, an oily black substance called creosote can build up on the chimney walls. If the buildup becomes more than a quarter inch thick, a fire may result. Gas and oil chimney are less of a fire hazard but should undergo regular inspections also.

The key to avoiding these less than scrupulous contractors is knowing the person with whom you are dealing. Check to see if the person offering the service has been trained by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. Such businesses might belong to a guild in the state in you live. If you are suspicious, check with either the institute or the guild in your state to see if you are dealing with a reputable chimney sweep. If the services uses a camera and monitor to look down your flu, ask to watch the monitor with him and have it explain it to you. If he gives you a run around or refuses to do so, you might want to choose someone else. If a chimney sweep is needed, the person will tell you so and the rate might run between $100 to $250. It may be a substantial chunk of change for most people, but it is certainly better than the thousands of dollars the scam artist would charge you for a lining your chimney does not need..

While sometimes you may need the services of a chimney sweep, a little maintenance especially for gas or oil heaters can reduce the services. If your home uses one of these systems to keep your family warm in winter, have someone come into service your unit in the fall before the cold weather starts.

Sources:

"5 Biggest Home Repair Ripoffs." Tom Philbin. Reader's Digest. March, 2007. New York, New York.

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