Hiring anyone to come into your home and do work is a serious issue. From insurance to qualifications to safety, there are a lot of things you probably take for granted. However, it’s important to check the background of anyone that you allow into your home. Otherwise, you could face problems ranging from an incomplete job and lost money to a lawsuit. Chimney sweeps in Acworth are no different than any other company you’d hire to do a job, except they are there to provide a service that could affect your health and your home.
Can They Offer an Appointment?
You don’t want to sit around all day waiting for the chimney sweep to show up. Having an appointment time is not only convenient for you, but it also shows the professionalism of the company. Don’t waste time with a company that cannot provide you with an appointment or at least a time span.
Check Online and the BBB
Learning what problems the company has had in the past and how it has dealt with them will help you have a more informed opinion of whether or not you should do business with them. Online complaints and how they are dealt with are a good place to start. Checking with the Better Business Bureau will also help you find out if the company has any unresolved registered complaints.
Check the Company’s Insurance
Get a copy of the company’s valid liability insurance policy and call the company that holds it. Liability insurance covers you if something goes wrong because of the chimney sweep’s action while he or she is in your home. Without the proper insurance, you could be held liable for any injury suffered by the employee, as well as any damage he or she might do while on your property.
Check Certification for Individuals
If you have a chimney, you may be tempted to hire someone who knocks on your door and is ready to do the job. No doubt, that’s convenient. However, it may be less than a good deal, even if they offer cheap rates. Chimney sweeping is not regulated, which means anyone can start a company and come to your home to pretend to do the job. There’s no way to know if they have the knowledge or tools. Even if the company has certifications, the individual may not. You need to check to see if the person who is coming into your home has a National Fireplace Institute or the Chimney Sweep Institute of America. Compare the certificate to the person’s identification.
Check References
Once you’ve got the insurance and certification documents, ask the company for references and call them. References that come from the company will confirm that the company does good work. If they don’t, choose another company. This may seem like a lot to have to worry about, but hiring a chimney sweep is a safety issue that must be taken seriously. A flue fire isn’t anything you want to deal with, so it’s important that your chimney is serviced by a professional. If you need a chimney sweep in Acworth, GA, contact Atlanta Chimney Doctor and set up an appointment today.