Cheap Sweeps & Cowboys

I thought that it was worth writing a short blog on the subject of price when selecting a chimney sweep for your annual sweep.

Every year I come across a number of properties with various issues left behind by 'cheap' or cowboy chimney sweeps used on previous sweeps. These include damaged flue liners (caused by using incorrect equipment), incorrectly assembled wood-burners, and glazed tar that hasn't even been partially removed.

Cheap sweeps are readily available online (usually without a decent webpage including prices and reviews), or in the back of a newspaper or shop window. Although the prices are (but not always!) attractive, do be wary — here are a few pointers to look out for.

1. Has your sweep taken the relevant courses and is a qualified, paid-up member of one of the two officially recognised organisations signed up to the 'Chimney Sweeping Industry Standard'?

These being the National Association of Chimney Sweeps and the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps. Both organisations issue sweep certificates that are definitely recognised by insurance companies (it's unlikely that an insurance company will pay out potentially hundreds of thousands of pounds on the strength of a random piece of paper!).

2. Has your sweep got specific 'chimney sweeps' insurance — usually up to at least £2 million in cover?

3. Does your sweep carry the kit necessary to cover all chimney situations?

This includes rotary power sweeping kit, correct soot control equipment, and an 'H' rated soot hoover (usually around £1,000 worth) — not a "Henry Hoover"!

Established companies will almost certainly have the experience to have seen it all before, regarding the many chimney sweeping situations and appliances that we come across daily, ensuring absolute confidence in a thorough, correct and cleanly completed job every time.

Dubious companies offer half-day chimney sweep courses and churn out high numbers of 'cheap sweeps'. They generally lack experience or "sweep sense", and they come and go, as it often ends in failure as a business. It's worth paying, in my opinion, the correct rate for a professional sweep — in order to ensure the safety of the home owner, their family, pets and property. It's usually just an annual sweep, and money well spent if it's spent wisely.

In summary: there are plenty of cheap options out there, but relatively few professional chimney sweeps, due to the costs of running a legitimate and professional company.

Thanks, Steve at Burnwize