RECOMMENDATIONS - Ask neighbors and acquaintances for chimney sweep recommendations. Unlike many other home professionals, chimney sweeps are used regularly, so the people you know may have a specific company they go back to each time.

PROFESSIONALISM - Contact several different chimney sweeps to get a sense of each company's professionalism. Even a phone conversation can give some insight into how a company treats its customers.

YEARS IN BUSINESS - Compare the length of time each chimney sweep has been in business. Since this industry relies on repeat customers, a chimney sweep that provides poor customer service likely won't last long.

CERTIFICATIONS - Ask about certifications. The National Chimney Sweep Guild, CCP - Certified Chimney Professional, and CSIA - Chimney Safety Institute of America, for example. Sadly, no certification or training is required for chimney professionals in the state of Ohio, it is voluntary.

INSURANCE - Request verification of the chimney cleaning and repair companies' liability insurance. Also, look for worker's compensation insurance so you aren't held responsible should an employee be hurt on your property.

BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU - Check with the BBB to make sure no complaints were brought against a chimney sweep you're considering. If there are complaints, review the details to determine if the issue was a major one.

REFERENCES -Request references from the companies. Call several to see how satisfied they are with the company's services. Ask if they still use the company. If not, ask why they stopped.

AVAILABILITY - Discuss the availability of appointments. Make sure an experienced, well-trained chimney sweep will be there for every appointment, preferably certified or trained with certified sweeps within the company. This is particularly important with larger companies that have many employees.

RATES - Compare rates for each chimney sweep. An extremely low rate might indicate poor workmanship or a poorly qualified chimney sweep, by someone who does not even have a chimney inspection camera.

SUMMARY - Use the gathered information to select a chimney sweep. Note the quality of workmanship, cleanliness, timeliness, and personality of the chimney sweep when deciding whether to continue using the company in the future.

We Look Forward to Being Your Sweeps for Life!