It’s time to have your chimney inspected. Who should you hire for the job? What qualities should you look for in a certified chimney sweep?

Reliability

Look for online reviews about your chimney sweep. Chances are, an underperforming chimney sweep or one who overcharges will have a trail of reviews to prove it. On the other hand, a great chimney sweep should have glowing testimonials. Check out company websites, Yelp, and Google Reviews. 

A word of caution: don’t let one negative review be a deal-breaker right away. Instead, examine how the company responded to the negative review. The way companies handle negative evaluations is a reflection of their customer service. Did the company respond promptly? What did they do to rectify the situation? 

Experience

When searching for a chimney sweep, you’ll want someone with experience. No exceptions. Your and your family’s safety depends on this. You might think, well, a person’s gotta start somewhere, but in this case, you need an expert. 

Certified Chimney Sweep

Look for a chimney sweep who is certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) for the most professional level of service. This credential is recognized by federal, state, and local agencies as a measure of a chimney sweep’s knowledge of the evaluation and maintenance of chimney and venting systems. If your chimney sweep is CSIA-certified, you’re in good hands.

Professionalism

You’ll want to go with a dependable company and a chimney sweep that arrives and performs promptly. A professional chimney sweep will be experienced, knowledgeable about all things chimney, and happy to answer whatever questions you may have about your chimney or fireplace. He or she will clearly articulate any problems he or she uncovers while performing the inspection.

Affordability

According to Home Guide, in 2020, the average cost of an annual chimney sweep and level 1 inspection ranged between $149 and $250. The price depends on the type of chimney, the amount of creosote buildup, any blockage, like a bird’s nest, and roof accessibility.

If the chimney sweep were to find any complications, he or she would recommend a more invasive, more costly inspection. It’s perfectly fine to have companies explain their costs to you upfront.

Honesty

This is an important one. Don’t trust a so-called chimney sweep who comes to your door unsolicited using scare tactics to try to get your business. There is such a thing as a home improvement scam, and chimney sweeping is one of the most common types. A legitimate chimney sweep will be able to produce references and reviews to back him or her up.

Hire the Best Chimney Sweep in Indianapolis

Finding a good chimney sweep might take a little bit of research, but if you do your homework, you can be confident that you’ve made the right choice. Qualities to seek out are reliability, experience, professionalism, affordability, and above all, honesty. 

For the best quality in chimney maintenance and repair, call Brick + Ember Outfitters of Indianapolis at 317-500-1250. Since 2011, we’ve provided top of the line service to all of our clients. Our CSIA-certified experts are happy to answer any questions you may have about your chimney. Just give us a call or make an appointment on our website. 

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