How to Choose the Right Chimney Sweep

Bringing in an outside person or team to do work on your home can be a little concerning. You want the work done right, and you don’t want to discover problems with the workers after they’ve started the job. When it comes to chimney cleaning and service, choosing the right chimney sweep is critical in order to end up with a quality, satisfying job.

Doodlebuggers Fireplace, Grill & Outdoor Store of Pensacola, FL, and Destin, FL, would like to share some tips on how to select the best chimney sweep for your project.

First, is it an actual chimney sweep?

A lot of companies and individuals do all kinds of repair and cleaning work for homeowners. This doesn’t qualify them to work on your chimney.

People who clean and repair chimneys should be actual chimney sweeps, i.e., people trained in the science of chimney sweeping and the use of the equipment needed to do the job correctly and safely.

Are all chimney sweeps the same?

Absolutely not. Anyone can call himself a chimney sweep, but not all chimney sweeps are licensed, trained and certified chimney professionals.

Look for certification through the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fireplace Institute. Look for valid licenses to do business in your area. Look for full insurance to protect you, your home and the workers during a chimney cleaning or repair project.

Do a little investigating

A good place to start is the chimney sweep company’s official website. Company doesn’t have a website? Not a good sign.

See what they have to say about themselves and the type of work they do. Read the About page to learn about their background and “time in the ranks.” Look at photos, if they’re provided, to see the type of work they’ve done and can do for you.

Contact prospective companies and ask if they can supply references. If they can’t, beware. If they can, follow up and talk to the people to get an idea of how it was for them to work with the company.

Look at online reviews – but keep in mind that anybody can write anything online. Read reviews to get a general sense of the chimney sweep you’re thinking of hiring.

Talk with the chimney company owner or representative

In this discussion, you want to feel like you’re being talked to straight, that what you’re hearing makes sense to you. Are you comfortable with this person? Do your instincts say this is a good person to trust with chimney cleaning and service? Often, your gut will tell you a lot about a person’s professionalism and ethics.

Chimney sweep services in Florida

Doodlebuggers is a licensed, insured, fully trained and fully certified chimney company. We work throughout the Pensacola and Destin regions in Florida, providing chimney sweeping, chimney repairs, and installation of fireplaces, stoves and fireplace inserts for indoor and outdoor use.

We care about our customers, and we’d love to tell you more about what doing business with us is like. Reach a chimney expert in Pensacola at 850-477-1151. In Destin, call 850-243-0154. You also can get in touch through our handy contact form.