Chimney Repair Scams

By Author: Jonathan Steele
Total Articles: 8
Comment this article

This is the season for chimney repairs. This is also the season for chimney repair scams. You can avoid becoming a victim by becoming an educated consumer.

Often the image of a chimney sweep will conjure up memories of Mary Poppins and the Chim-chiminney song. How could such a wonderful memory be associated with a con man who would want to hustle you.

It is easy to fall victim to the chimney repair scam because few people ever look into their chimneys. Unfortunately, often times there are real problems and true dangers home owners are unaware of. Almost any chimney that has not been maintained will have problems. If that chimney does not have a cap, the potential for problems is increased.

When chimney problems are present, there is always a potential that they could be life threatening. Often the problems do not become apparent until the most inopportune times. Most people find out about the problem on the first cold night or coldest night of the year. Somehow, it also will seem to happen when your monetary resources are stretched as thin as they can be.

After reading this, not only will you be ...
... better prepared to meet the challenge of a chimney repair, you will find some good news. Many times chimney liners can be installed by do it yourself homeowners. You can save thousands by doing it yourself. First the scam.

Here is the skinny on the chimney repair scam:

If you have not had it inspected or even cleaned and along comes a someone who offers to clean your chimney for less than $39.95. This price sounds wonderful. The price should be your first clue that this is a scam. Then other work that is offered as a result of the visit could likewise be a scam.

The scammer will contact you, often by phone and offers to clean your chimney for an unbelievably low price. There is even a reason that the the price is so low. It may be a new promotion or some such reason that may make the offer sound logical and legitimate.

Who will they most often prey on? Often it is those who have just moved into a new home. They may have used a reverse directory look up the names of the previous resident to build your confidence and their credibility.

This is just the warm up.

On getting into your home and starting the inspection (note that they did not start to clean the chimney), you will be informed that there is structural damage to your chimney. Unfortunately, it you do not have a chimney cap, and many homes in older communities do not, there probably is damage.

If it is damaged or in some way needs repair, then part of what you are being told is true. Most likely, your chimney, if it has not been maintained, will have some damage. So how can you know what to do?

The difference between the scammer and a reputable chimney cleaner is what they end up charging you. With smooth words and a slick style, they could end up charging you several hundred, even thousands more than what the job would actually cost from a reputable chimney sweep.

Even worse, they may install the wrong size liner resulting in further problems that you will have to pay more to get it repaired. This is because they are experts at scamming and not at repairing your chimney.

Chimney repairs are not cheap. Beware of the price that is too good to be true.

There are other tricks they will pull out of their hat or bag.

They may tell you that you need a new chimney cap. If these are constructed of stainless steel, they usually survive for decades. If you do not have one, they will show you a piece of concrete, brick or other material that supposedly has fallen down from high inside.

They may have a dead bird or other animal that they found in the chimney. Again, if you do not have a cap, you do indeed need a cap. The only problem is how much will they charge for the cap.

A plain stainless steel cap will cost between $65 and $120. Installation with no other work will run about $75. However, most chimney sweeps will not go after a one time job like this and certainly not for $39.95. They are looking to build a life time customer to provide income year in and out.

So, an inspection, installation and cap could cost less than $200. But wait, this is a very easy DIY job that if you cannot do, you should be able to get a friend to do for you. You might be able to buy it and get it installed for less than $100.

The con-artist will also tell you about the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. They may say how fortunate you are that it was caught when it was. Having this actually happen in one of my homes, It is a real problem. However. this fear is being used to get you to buy now.

The problem is, chances are if you do not do the repair now, you will put off the needed correction of a dangerous chimney till sometime between now and never or the first sign of trouble, which ever comes first.

If there is any chance of carbon monoxide risk, either borrow or go buy a detector and buy it now. Your health is worth more than the small price of a detector.

The price of a detector is priceless compared to what it will cost if you are scammed.

Another solution that they will offer in order to come to your rescue is a stainless steel chimney liner. They are truly your best choice. Again, this may be true but the con is in the price or in removing a perfectly good chimney liner to install a new one. This only sweetens the pot as the old stainless will sell for scrap metal at an additional profit tot he scammer.

What can you do to protect yourself from the chimney repair scam?

Be a savvy consumer.

If they advertise that they will clean your chimney and only after inspecting it start to talk expensive fixes, tell them you will need to get two other bids. If they ask to be paid for the inspection remind them that you wanted a cleaning and not an inspection.

Ask for and check for references. If they say that the information is confidential, then you want to look elsewhere.

Ask for and get three bids.

Check if the industry is licensed in your area. If so, ask to see their license.

Ask for and get three bids. Wait, did I already say this? It cannot be emphasized enough the need to do this if someone solicits you. If your dealing with a reputable local company, they will most likely treat you right.

Ask for a copy of their liability insurance. Then, on showing you, promptly call the insurance company and ask if they are legitimately insured for such work.

Even though having been a general contractor, there have been times when I needed to hire contractors. You would be surprised at how many came not only to give the bid but to do the work at the same time. When asking for the proof of liability insurance they would say they did not have it on them. I would say, No problem, just bring it back and once the insurance company confirms your coverage you can go to work. They never showed up again.

In one unrelated job, having an electric service installed, I even went so far as to get four bids. This required permits and inspections. The first three were between $2900 and $3500. The fourth was at $900 (including materials) and the job was completed inside four hours. It took a total of 8 hours to get and meet the four bidders. My time, based on the savings was worth $325 per hour. Spending the 8 hours saved over a few thousand dollars. Did I say get three bids if a scammer tries to sell you on his low price?

It is not the low price. It is the too good to be true price.

Again, the exception to this is if you initiate the call to a local, reputable chimney business. They are not looking to get rich off any one customer. They are looking to make you a life time customer and will always take good care of you. If not, they will not last very long.

The expense of running a business may require them charging between $60 and $75 to take the ladder off the truck. Then too, their business is seasonal. This means the work they do in several months is their annual income. Add to this that they go where many never want to be. Up on high.

With the risk of the job they do every day, they deserve what may seem to be very high prices to you or me. In the long run, they will save you money.

Always call your local better business bureau and the chamber of commerce. Ask if there are any complaints regarding the company. Most legitimate companies will have their name on the side of their truck (although I did work with a chimney sweep for a season who did not. He had been in the business for decades though.)

Ask if they hold any certifications?

Call the local building inspector and ask how far they look when inspecting homes. Ask if the local fire department inspects chimneys? In some instances, they will do it for free.

How often the chimney needs cleaning depends on a number of factors including the kind of fuel burned.

Annual inspection is recommended as the best. Cleaning may need to be done as little as annually and as far apart as two or three years.

Don't let chimney repair scams scare you off from getting the necessary work done. Just make sure and get it done by a reputable company. Now with new technology there is one company that offers a forever warranty for do it yourself installations.

This means you can install the chimney liner yourself and pass the warranty on to the next home owner if you sell your home.

Just do a search for chimney liner reviews and find the one that will work best for you.

Get educated, keep warm and be healthy and wealthy by not being scammed and only using reputable local chimney sweeps. Or do it yourself and save even more.
Jonathan Steele has worked with masonry since his youth. His experience includes chimney repairs. Now a public speaker, artist and webmaster, he lectures on numerous topics relating to health, safety and wealth preservation.

For instance, learn what public speaker do when faced with a sore thorat and having to speak at The Persuasive Public Speaking and Communication Website by Jonathan Steele.

For more DIY chimney liner installation information

This article © 2009 Jonathan Steele. Permission to use is granted provided links are live and content is unchanged.