Just had a customer in Denver tell me I was overcharging for a basic sweep

He said his buddy does it for $75 flat, no matter the size or condition. I had just quoted him $150 after seeing his 40-foot clay flue that hadn't been touched in maybe a decade. I explained the time, the gear, and the risk, but he just kept saying 'It's just soot.' I mean, idk, maybe it's just me but that attitude really gets under my skin. It's not just soot, it's a potential house fire. Has anyone else run into this kind of pushback lately, especially with people trying to cut costs?

4 comments

4 Comments

terry_carter1523d ago

My buddy had a client who went with a cheap sweep, ended up with a chimney fire that cost thousands. Some folks just don't get it until it's too late.

the_nina23d ago

Tell me about it. My neighbor tried to save a few bucks last fall. Hired some guy off a flyer. Found out later the guy didn't even have a brush. Just poked around with a stick. Their living room filled with smoke the first time they lit a fire. Had to call the real pros for an emergency clean and inspection. Cost them triple what a proper sweep would have.

nancybailey19d agoTop Commenter

A stick instead of a brush? That's just wild. Cutting corners on something that can burn your house down is a scary kind of cheap. Some risks just aren't worth the savings.

seth68319d ago

Ever wonder why people risk it? I used to think a clean chimney was a clean chimney, but my uncle's place had a small fire from built up creosote a cheap sweep missed. Seeing the scorch marks on the bricks changed my mind fast. Now I only hire certified guys with the right tools.