Why it Pays to Get a Second Opinion on Chimney Work

In every service industry, prices can vary widely. The chimney repair field is no different. Any time you schedule chimney repair work, chimney sweeping, chimney rebuilding or other services for the first time with a company, it will pay you to get a second opinion. In some cases, second opinions can also be helpful when you’ve used the same chimney company for years.

Doodlebuggers Fireplace, Grill & Outdoor Store of Pensacola, FL and Destin, FL would like to explain why second opinions are so important.

You don’t know this chimney company

If you work with a chimney company that you know and trust, multiple opinions probably aren’t always necessary. But with a new company, you don’t know anything about them, so it’s a smart idea to get estimates from several other reputable providers. This is especially true if the job is extensive.

The two reasons to get a second opinion on chimney services

Obviously, you’ll want to compare pricing. Getting a couple of estimates may reveal if the original estimate is way out of the ballpark or suspiciously low. This isn’t to say that the top estimate won’t be justified or that the lowest estimate guarantees problems down the line. It just means that you should want to see several sets of numbers before making a decision.

A second reason for getting a second opinion for chimney work is that you want to compare what different chimney companies believe needs to be done to solve your problem.

Here’s a scenario: Viewing your chimney from the ground, you’ve noticed a few cracked bricks and a little white staining. You report this to a new chimney company, they come out and do an inspection and tell you that some brick replacement will solve the problem.

Then you get a second opinion. After the second company’s inspection, you’re told that there’s significant water damage within your chimney’s masonry and it’s causing the structure to be unstable. The recommendation: a chimney rebuild from the roof up.

Of course, this is just an example, but you can see how two different chimney companies may offer you very different solutions to your problem.

With a second (or third) opinion, you’ll get a better idea of exactly what the problem is and how it can be addressed.

Always go with a credentialed, experienced team

A good chimney services company that you can trust and rely on is worth its weight in gold. Before hiring any company to do work at your home, check their credentials. This means:

• Ask for references
• Review their website
• Check out online reviews
• Talk with friends and associates who have used the company
• Talk with your contact person at the company and get a feel for the person’s integrity

Doodlebuggers regularly provides second opinions on a full menu of chimney services, including:

• Chimney rebuilding
• Masonry repair
• Brick replacement
• Tuckpointing for mortar joints
• Chimney crown repair and rebuilding
• Chimney liner repair and relining
• Leaky chimney repair
• Resolution of drafting issues

Get a no-obligation second opinion

If you’d like a second opinion from an experienced chimney company in the Pensacola and Destin areas, Doodlebuggers is ready when you need us.

Reach a chimney services expert today at (850) 477-1151 in Pensacola, FL, or at (850) 243-0154 in the Destin, FL, area. You can also get in touch with our handy contact form.