Whether you need chimney care now in the midst of winter or are planning ahead for a post-season inspection and sweeping, hiring the right chimney company for your needs is a must. Unfortunately, finding a trustworthy crew that’ll always put your needs first isn’t always so straightforward. That’s why we encourage homeowners to do their research to find a crew that’ll always grant you the best care possible!
Why is this so important? Well, for one thing you deserve to get what you pay for. It’s an unsettling thought, but starting a chimney company is relatively easy and doesn’t require any formal training at all. Anyone could say they’re qualified, but if they don’t have the credentials to back their statements up, you aren’t going to want to hire them anytime soon.
Along with this, some companies will do anything they can to upcharge you or encourage you to invest in services you don’t actually need.
But, perhaps most importantly, hiring someone who isn’t qualified or tries to cut corners and be deceptive will put you at risk every time you go to light a fire. You’ll be more likely to experience smoke back-up, exposure to harmful gases, or even a chimney or house fire.
Because of this, we encourage you to keep the following questions in mind before you hire a sweep anytime in the upcoming months.
Are They CSIA Certified?
Having a certification with the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) means your sweep has dedicated time, money, and effort to become educated by one of the industry’s most highly-regarded leaders. The CSIA is known for its great resources, as well as its commitment to public safety, and they’re known throughout the country for their professionalism and community involvement.
Along with the CSIA, look for other associations and memberships, as well! Places like the National Fireplace Institute (NFI), the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG), and more are also well-known for keeping sweeps educated and up-to-date on all industry news and advancements.
Do They Have Experience?
We all need to start somewhere, but when it comes to hiring a chimney sweep, you’ll definitely want someone with plenty of experience under their belt. Not only does this ensure they’ll have the knowledge to back up the services they offer, but it indicates they’ve been successful enough to keep getting hired over the years, too.
Look to see how long the company you’re considering has been in business and see how long their staff has been on board, too (if possible). If they’ve been going strong in the same service area for years on end, it’s likely they’re trusted throughout the communities they serve.
Are They Well-Reviewed?
In today’s world, you no longer have to rely on the recommendations of friends and neighbors – or merely good luck – when it comes to hiring a business to help you out. Instead, with just a few clicks and strokes of the keyboard, you can read hundreds of reviews and testimonials from customers all over your local communities.
Be sure to take advantage of this!
Reading up on positive experiences, as well as how the business responds to any negative experiences, can offer some real peace of mind when hiring a company. And once you’ve invested in the service yourself, be sure to leave your own review to help others out, too!
I’m Pretty Handy… Can I Skip the Sweep & DIY?
We’ve gone over what’s important to consider when hiring a sweep, but many times a handy DIY-er will decide to end the search thinking they could just tackle any chimney maintenance themselves.
What many don’t realize, though, is just how challenging this would be. When it comes to chimney maintenance even a minor mistake or slip-up can lead to lasting damage throughout your home, and it could put you and your family at risk when lighting future fires, as well.
Qualified sweeps dedicate weeks to training and test-taking to ensure they’re qualified to handle the job. Needless to say, a quick Youtube tutorial is simply no match for the expertise you’ll get from a professional.
In the end, it’s more than likely that you’ll cost yourself more in future damages than you’d save on doing it yourself now, and it’s definitely not worth potentially putting your loved ones in harm’s way. Remember that you’re lighting a fire in your home, so it is imperative that all proper precautions are set in place!
Rely On Frechette Chimney Every Step of the Way
Here at Frechette Chimney we are both CSIA and NFI certified, and we’re members of the NCSG, too. We take education very seriously, always striving to maintain our certifications and stay up-to-date on any new techniques or technologies that are introduced into the chimney sweep world.
Along with this, we have over 40 years of experience serving our loyal customer base, and we’ve been highly regarded throughout these decades. We encourage everyone to check out online reviews!
To top it all off, we’re family-owned and value honesty and communication. We’ll be sure to work with your wishes and price range to guarantee the highest level of service, no matter what. Your safety and satisfaction are our top priority!
So, don’t wait to invest in the care you deserve. Give us a call or reach out online today!
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