Before you hire a chimney sweep to perform your annual chimney sweeping and inspection, it is important to check out the qualifications of the technician. These chimney maintenance services protect you from the risk of chimney fires and carbon monoxide leaks, so you need to be sure the chimney sweep you hire sweeps and inspects your chimney correctly and carefully. One of the best ways to know the chimney sweep is qualified is to check to see if he or she has been certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). To receive this certification, the sweep must undergo training, pass exams, and agree to follow the CSIA Code of Ethics, which includes promising to behave honestly, fairly, and professionally on every job site. Owens Chimney Systems is proud to employ CSIA-certified chimney sweeps who provide excellent fireplace and chimney services to the residents of the Charlotte, NC area. If you live outside of our service area, we would like to tell you a few other things to look for to find a chimney company with qualified chimney sweeps.
How long has the company been in business?
The CSIA recommends asking this question to be sure the company is legitimate and trustworthy. A popular chimney maintenance scam involves a company opening, closing, and reopening under different names in different towns, so finding out how long the company has been serving the area can ease your mind.
Does the company have current references?
Most businesses today will have a page on online review sites, such as Yelp, Google, and Angie’s List, where their customers can leave feedback of services they have received. If the company does not have any pages or is reluctant to give you any information about their online review pages, this could be a red flag. Of course, not all customer reviews can be perfectly positive, but a business should not ignore or hide negative feedback. Going the extra mile to satisfy an unhappy customer shows that the company cares what its customers think.
Does the company carry a business liability insurance policy that is valid and will protect your home and furnishings against any accidents?
If the answer to this question is no, it is in your best interest to keep looking for another chimney sweep company. Without this insurance, you will have to pay for any damages that may occur to your home as the result of an accident. You could also be liable for medical bills if the chimney sweep were to get injured while working in your home.
If you do live in the Charlotte area and need a qualified chimney sweep, contact us at Owens Chimney Systems. Our CSIA-certified chimney sweeps are here to provide whatever chimney and fireplace service you may need.