First off, I was willing to buy the tools and do it myself. It's not a difficult task..........just a tad dirty, and is "work" by definition......something I'm not afraid of.
Then bring the wife into the discussion, who's been watching me get on the roof of our house for years, apparently with gritting teeth. I've never fallen, nearly or otherwise, and in spite of her, I COULD just get up there an do it, but I have to ask myself.............is hassling with her, worth it? Nope..........not in MY world.
So I'll hire a person who has the tools, and understand that it costs me something (we shopped around too) to have it done. Hopefully I can continue to receive competative rates.
On one side of it, I have a good feeling way down deep, knowing that the person doing the job is a "professional" and that the job will be done the best possible way.
The thought of asking a Chimney Sweep to get up on my roof in January (not during the "thaw") is what concerns me.....for him/her or even me.
We've got folks in here (that I will not name) who live in Maine, (cough, cough) who state that they have their chimney done (or do it themselves, I don't recall), once a month. "I" for one, would not relish the notion of me or anyone else negotiating the snow and ice, to clear a chimney.
In any case, the typical price quotes I got were a couple hundred as well...........I see it as paying for mileage, labor and the job itself. I know a few car mechanics who charge that much, just to lift the hood and stare into the engine well
-Soupy1957