End Of Year Cleaning

[Aquion]

I have really put off having my end of year cleaning done on my insert. A local pellet dealer has quoted me $295 for the year end cleaning plus $100 to clean out the exhaust pipe that runs up the chimney. This seems to be quite expensive. I wanted to see what the forum thought.

 

[Bioburner]

Seems that some dealers with some kind of credentials is charging some outrageous sums in some markets. I got a quote to change 6 spark plugs on my new me to vehicle of $400. I did it in half a fine afternoon enjoying some libations. Could have done it in an hour but like I said was a very nice Saturday to spend any straight labor on. Oh it was worth it too. Mileage increase of over 15% with the full fluid change. Clean engine and clean stoves have the same thing in common. A bit of care will make them perform well.

 

[heat seeker]

Ripoff! You can do it yourself in a couple of hours or less.

 

[fmsm]

In my opinion it's worth between $150-$200 retail for a proper cleaning that includes the exhaust, lubrication of all motors, and complete inspection.

 

[killie11]

In my opinion it's worth between $150-$200 retail for a proper cleaning that includes the exhaust, lubrication of all motors, and complete inspection.

This is what I am getting done for a 100 bucks.

 

[fmsm]

This is what I am getting done for a 100 bucks.

I wish the people in my area were that inexpensive.

 

[killie11]

I wish the people in my area were that inexpensive.

They are pertty incredible they are doing 3 times the work and being 50 bucks cheaper then the guys that came last year. They will also do a delivery to me upto 4 tons for 16 bucks.

 

[thundercracker]

the going rate in the greater boston area is $300 for a cleaning with chimney liner clean out.

 

[Utilitrack]

They are pertty incredible they are doing 3 times the work and being 50 bucks cheaper then the guys that came last year. They will also do a delivery to me upto 4 tons for 16 bucks.

Can you pass along this company's name? I am also in central Maine, thanks!

 

[killie11]

Can you pass along this company's name? I am also in central Maine, thanks!

Monitor of maine. they are in benton. They say they will check all my motors and fan seals (replacing will charge a little extra) and they will take out of auger and see of I can stop that Harmon squeal. If you get the summer price you get it for 100 bucks, 130 after. I went to rocky's where I bought my stove and all they did was scrape and vacuum for 150.

 

[Utilitrack]

Monitor of maine. they are in benton. They say they will check all my motors and fan seals (replacing will charge a little extra) and they will take out of auger and see of I can stop that Harmon squeal. If you get the summer price you get it for 100 bucks, 130 after. I went to rocky's where I bought my stove and all they did was scrape and vacuum for 150.

Thanks for the info Killie11, Agreed I bought my stove there as well, I paid them to clean in Spring 2009 with hopes to watch and learn. I quickly figured out that I do a much more thorough job thanks to this forum.

 

[JRA]

the going rate in the greater boston area is $300 for a cleaning with chimney liner clean out.

I live just north of Boston and I paid 199. I also got it cleaned in mid-June, if I waited until fall it would have been 250 because of demand.

 

[thundercracker]

I live just north of Boston and I paid 199. I also got it cleaned in mid-June, if I waited until fall it would have been 250 because of demand.

Can you tell me what place? I live just south of Boston

 

[JRA]

Burlington area

 

[smwilliamson]

Regardless of what you pay, the cost should cover the stove inside the firebox, the mechanical area and the venting. There are more people out there doing an acceptable job now than when I started. There are also a lot of independent techs leaving the biz that it seemed to me we're starting to show some staying power. Glen form Preferred Pellet Services in CT is gone. Lloyd from Pellet Stove Works here in MA is gone. There are a 3-4 guys skirting the NH, MA border that are owner operators that have been around a few years now

Honestly though, be weary of some dude that is on his own and is only charging $99. He may be alright and of not, yer not out that much coin but at those rates he isn't even covering his true costs unless he's your neighbor or something.

Just a reminder to consumers, if anyone you hire to work in your home is an owner operator, not incorporated, hurts himself and doesn't have workers comp or adequate workers comp, you are on the hook. If they are a corporation and have employees and don't have workers comp and that employee hurts themself, you are on the hook.

If they are not licensed and your house burns down as a result of their handiwork your insurance may walk away and you'll be rooting the costs to rebuild your life.

I cannot speak for all states but here in MA you need both a Solid Fuel Fuel license or unrestricted Construction Supervisors License and the HIC License from the dept of public safety.

Hiring a non licensed contractor pretty much voids all of your claims in any court should you have to seek remedies in that regard. This includes any lawsuit that may be initiated by the unlicensed contractor!

It's all about risk. I get it. I had non of the "requirements" when I started, partially because there were any requirements but as they came to roost I had to obey.

If you don't know who you're hiring and he's cheap, chances are he's starting out or simply just doesn't care or both. Personally, if the risk is going to fall back on you, why not just learn or attempt to clean your stove yourself? You keep all the money, you learn more about what's going on and it will inevitably allow you to make better choices about your burning habits etc.

Then again, you could take a chance on the cheap guy and he may turn out to be awesome; you may choose to keep that great relationship going, and as he raises his prices so he can further his professional development, become a leader in his field of expertise and a respected business person you can sleep well at night; to know that through your undying support and the support of other like minded folks like yourself, when he was hungry and starting out, full of vigor and along his quest for knowledge, you were the $99 pillar that got him started and now are the invested $265 supporting foundation on which he can now rely, year after year to raise his family, keep in the good graces of society's laws and besmirch all risk in and out of the court of public opinions. Ah, yes, for now he is a respected and "valued" professional whos reputation and presence has the power to raise the social stature of the very people who gave him legitimacy.

Be well.

 

[thundercracker]

hi, thanks for that, i meant, what company is offering to clean your stove for $199/?

Burlington area

 

[JRA]

I agree that's why I had the company I purchased the stove from service it. Safest bet imho, if something goes wrong with it when I fire it up this year at least I have piece of mind knowing he will stand by it. He has been dealing stoves and working on chimneys for 30 years. People for

hi, thanks for that, i meant, what company is offering to clean your stove for $199/?

M and m chimney in Wilmington is who serviced the stove. He was the one I bought it from. Again, that was in June not sure but I think he is around 250 now and also not sure if he travels to your area. How far south are you

 

[steveg_nh]

I do it myself after paying once, watching them to do an incomplete job, and wanting to charge $200 (had it been paid). It was part of my purchase, so I didn't have to pay. The version of cleaning the vent was to just wrap on it, and not run a cleaner up the pipe. No thanks. Not good enough. And just a quick inside cleaning/vac, without even removing the back fireplate and getting inside. They rush, so they can get as many done as they can. If you do it yourself, you KNOW it's done right, and you can do it at 8pm or whenever you want, vs having to be around during a business day when you'd otherwise be working.

 

[linc1216]

I have an appointment for the first week in September, to have my end of year cleaning done on my Accentra 52i. The cleaning will be done by the dealership where I bought my stove. They are charging $185. I pretty much kept up with weekly cleanings. But, never pulled the stove out to clean or inspect behind it.

 

[fmsm]

Can you tell me what place? I live just south of Boston

Give Kirley Masonary in Mansfield a call. They do a nice job.

 

[linc1216]

Give Kirley Masonary in Mansfield a call. They do a nice job.

The dealership is in southern, New Jersey

 

[fmsm]

I was responding to Thundercracker, that's why I quoted his post.

 

[linc1216]

Oops!

 

[thundercracker]

just got my stove cleaned for the first time. Guys got up on the chimney and swept the liner. Added a chimney cap to cover my furnace opening too, to prevent animal entry (neighbor had a racoon and her pups' down his chimney earlier this year). they pulled out the stove gave it a good cleaning, slightly better than what i would do on a bi-monthly basis. painted my baffles and compass crest (on the 52i). they were gone in about 90 minutes. $325. Since it was my first cleaning, i dont think i'll have them back next year, I can do pretty much everything. I 'll have to find a guy to just sweep the liner, since my roof is pretty high and steep, and i dont have the right ladders to access my chimney.

 

[steveg_nh]

Why not clean it from inside, from below? Get the LintEater kit and some extensions, and just run it right up the vent from behind the stove. That's what I do. No reason to go on roof.