WORD TO THE WISE: Don’t get smoked out by a chimney sweep scam

With this summer’s above average temperatures, many consumers are yearning for cold weather and a toasty fire by the fireplace. That means they will be looking to have their chimneys cleaned in preparation, and this is a perfect time to beat the rush. However, the Better Business Bureau is advising consumers to know which businesses to trust and which to avoid so their hard-earned dollars don’t go up in smoke.

In 2014, the BBB received about 340 complaints against chimney cleaners, which is a slight increase over the previous year. Chimney sweeping is not something that homeowners deal with often, so they may lack knowledge of the cleaning process. Many scammers take full advantage of this and do shoddy work or no work at all. A past case involved a chimney sweep with nothing more than a Shop-Vac.

In other cases, consumers have reported calls stating the town fire department recommends the resident’s chimney be cleaned. The caller goes on to recommend a particular chimney sweep and endorse its services on behalf of the fire department.

Though town fire departments do recommend having chimneys cleaned on an annual basis, they do not endorse any particular company or inspect chimneys. Many scam artists are targeting the elderly, making vague, unclear phone calls or showing up at their door claiming they have done business in the past, and it is time for their annual sweep.

Some less than reputable companies will advertise at a much lower price than legitimate businesses. Typically, a professional chimney sweep will charge between $200 and $300 for the cleaning of one chimney shaft, whereas scam artists are quoting as little as $50. The BBB advises that if a price sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

Many scam artists use a low-price tactic to get in your door, at which point they recommend additional work be done immediately, bullying the consumer into a much more expensive bill. If the price you are quoted is significantly lower than that of other businesses, it should be viewed as a red flag.

The BBB suggests consumers do their homework before hiring a chimney sweep and inviting them into the home. The BBB recommends using these helpful tips when hiring a chimney sweep:

Check out a chimney sweeping business at www.bbb.org. Always check with the BBB for a trusted chimney sweeping business in your area..

Find out how long they have been in business. How long have they operated in your area? Find out if they offer current references, or if you know anyone who has used their services in the past.

Ask if they have a valid business license and liability insurance. In the event of an accident, their liability insurance keeps your home and belongings safe. Ask to see proof.

Find out if any employees are certified and by whom. Though this is not law, it is recommended by fire departments and speaks to the qualifications of the individual or business you hire. Certification is required of members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (www.ncsg.org).

For more tips, visit www.bbb.org.

This story was originally published September 14, 2015 at 10:09 PM with the headline "WORD TO THE WISE: Don’t get smoked out by a chimney sweep scam ."