Chimney Sweep Survey - Who Cleans Who Hires?

[scfa99]

Just wondering how many on the forum clean their own chimneys.

I had a sweep come in the first year and basically when he left after 15 minutes I was like what the heck did I just pay $150 for. Been cleaning my own ever since, twice a year.

 

[cmonSTART]

I clean my own 2 or 3 times per season.

 

[Ted69]

1 year burning, with seasoned wood with the new stove. Wife wanted it ckecked and so did I. He came looked and said no problem $80.00 later gave me a W.E.T.T. certification and said see you next year. Said I may be burning a bit too hot. But i know I am clean. so every other year i will have it cleaned and certified and do the other years myself.

 

[myzamboni]

Just swept mine yesterday. Took about 20 minutes start to finish. Removing the cap took the longest.

 

[struggle]

myself

 

[Girl]

It's not about dirt it is my fear of heights that keeps me off roofs!

 

[pumiglk]

same as girl steep pitch and a 30' drop are an aquired taste I haven't mastered. :gulp:

 

[burntime]

I am the sweeper at my home. 2 times a season.

 

[woodjack]

Last season was my first time burning and I hired a guy. Twenty minutes and $175 later he was gone. It felt like he cleaned my wallet more than the chimney.
And he cleaned it from the bottom, shoving his brush up my pipe.

I'm hoping to clean my own pipes this year, missionary style - from the top.

 

[budman]

I am the sweeper at my home. 2 times a season.

Same here!

 

[N/A N/A]

Last season was my first time burning and I hired a guy. Twenty minutes and $175 later he was gone. It felt like he cleaned my wallet more than the chimney.
And he cleaned it from the bottom, shoving his brush up my pipe.

I'm hoping to clean my own pipes this year, missionary style - from the top.

Dont you hate it when you get your pipes cleaned from the bottom up? I do my own three times a season.

 

[Blkbeard]

I am new to wood burning and I have a major distrust of insurance companies. In the event of a fire my concern is that they will say Nope sorry you never had it done by a professional certified chimney cleaner you are not covered. Or am I ok if I learn how to do it properly and keep records of when I clean. Does anyone have any experience with this?

 

[Corey]

DIY all the way, every time.

 

[johnnywarm]

this will be my first year with wood.i will do it myself.

 

[isuphipsi1052]

Removing the cap took the longest.

When I was up on my roof at the end of last season to sweep the chimney I couldn't get my cap off. It appears that some creosote may have solidified between where the cap seats to the top of the flue pipe. I'll be needing to get that cap off. I was thinking of using a hand-held propane torch to heat the area around the cap. Do you folks think that will work?

 

[caber]

We have a really good sweep - been doing it 30 years. Takes his time, cleans it good, inspects it as well. I like the peace of mind and the wife insists on it. I may start doing a mid-season cleaning myself.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

We did it ourselves when I was a kid- but I didn't get on the roof.

I got on the roof last weekend and did it myself. I was going to do bottom up cleaning, but I would have to move my insert for that... no way. I got up there, faced my fear of heights, and it was fine.

 

[Jags]

I hire a pro, every other year. I do it for piece of mind and a second set of eyes reviewing my setup. My local guy is a true pro and has been doing it for many years. I trust him.

 

[ScottF]

Twenty minutes and $175 later he was gone. It felt like he cleaned my wallet more than the chimney.

Hey it sounds like you got more of a reaming than a cleaning. That is equal to $525 dollars per hour. Wish I made that kind of money. He must have a lot of training and education.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

$175 for a self employed person- drives to your house (15 mins) does the job (20 mins) drives to the next job (10 mins), subtract insurance (!!), vehicle expenses, wear and tear on tools, time and money spent advertising, power-heat-rent for a shop if they have one, the fact that they may or may not have 8h of actual time at a customer site in a day, risk of climbing ladders all day, the fact that they know what they're doing (we hope) so that they do it right and faster than you might...

Sorry about that- I just know contractors, and what you pay covers a lot more than the time of the job. OK- $175 still sounds a bit steep, but if it was after lunch then the guy may have a few drinkiepoos in him- and the risk part goes up

 

[johnsopi]

My roof is high. I would need a a much taller ladder then I have. Plus if you fall bad thing happen. I tried cleaning from the bottem but
can't do it.

 

[WOODBUTCHER]

I have a straight shot of Selkirk and a low pitched roof, takes me 20 mintues. I also help clean 2 other chimney's in the family, but they are easy to get at also.
There are some roofs in the past that I would not tackle due to pitch and height....otherwise I am lucky.

WoodButcher

 

[ScottF]

$175 for a self employed person- drives to your house (15 mins) does the job (20 mins) drives to the next job (10 mins), subtract insurance (!!), vehicle expenses, wear and tear on tools, time and money spent advertising, power-heat-rent for a shop if they have one, the fact that they may or may not have 8h of actual time at a customer site in a day, risk of climbing ladders all day, the fact that they know what they’re doing (we hope) so that they do it right and faster than you might…

Sorry about that- I just know contractors, and what you pay covers a lot more than the time of the job. OK- $175 still sounds a bit steep, but if it was after lunch then the guy may have a few drinkiepoos in him- and the risk part goes up

This is all true when you look at it that way. There are alot of hidden costs. And If I were doing that job up on high roofs all day I would have to have a couple of drinkiepoos in me also to calm the nerves. If he does stay busy (big if) and can do 5 chimneys a day he makes a pretty good days pay but I would think it is very seasonal. Also one fall from the chimney and it is all over if you are self employed. Also the workmans comp and liability insurance for that business must be sky high for employees. My guess is that the comp is as much as the base pay for an employee. Good points.

 

[MishMouse]

I have the same people who did the install clean the chimney.
My reasons,
They know the install and are familiar with the stove
They can also do a quick inspection of the stove while they are there.
If any problems are found with the stove during inspection it can be fixed.
They do a very professional job and offer advise on how you can improve your efficiency and decrease the build up.

 

[fire_N_ice]

I hired a pro last season. $150. He was recomended by a local Heat n Glo dealer. Certified too by the chimney association(??). I had a lot of questions about my tubed heatalator. I also had not cleaned it in a few years. I wanted to make sure there was no creasote up there. He was very pro. Answered all my questions and I felt safe knowing it was done right. I will be hiring again. In the past hired cheeeeeeeeeeap guys with barely a rieciept. Not really knowing if it was done right. To me, pay more but my peace of mind for a enjoyable safe fire/ heater, is a good investment.