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g and d
Citizen
Username: Bkrefugee
Post Number: 17
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 3:56 pm: | 
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Had a guy come out to inspect and sweep our chimney. He informed us that our terra cotta (sp?) liner had shifted and we would need to have a stainless steel liner installed for the discounted price of $1,600+ (if we agreed to have it done right away; otherwise it would be an additional $800). How do I know if this is indeed the case? Can anyone recommend someone to call for a second opinion (our first est. was from America's Finest Chimney). Thanks! |
emmie
Supporter
Username: Emmie
Post Number: 744
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 4:02 pm: |
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I would get a second opinion, this happened to me once and I was told by Top Hat and Tails Chimney Cleaners that I did not need one. Check out the "Home Fix It Thread" for his number. |
gettinoffadaroof
Citizen
Username: Upondaroof
Post Number: 699
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 4:09 pm: |
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Chimney scams are one of the biggest headaches for homeowners. It's a part of the house that you're probably not going to physically inspect yourself, so you're at their mercy. You have to know that anyone who is going to discount a job by 1/3 is pulling your leg. Call another contractor in to look at it , but don't let on about the first guy and see where that goes. There is a company being recomended in Home Repair today. |
BGS
Supporter
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 991
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 4:13 pm: |
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Someone told us exactly the same thing...got another opinion and we actually did need the liner but not for nearly what guy # 1 told us it was going to cost...
Surely get a second opinion. |
Handygirl
Citizen
Username: Handygirl
Post Number: 703
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 5:19 pm: |
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Any company that would use those tactics with you doesn't deserve your business whether you need the work done or not. Get a second opinion for sure. |
cody
Citizen
Username: Cody
Post Number: 1004
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 5:41 pm: |
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This has happened once or twice. All of these companies sound pretty much the same, so I'm not sure which was the one that tried the scare tactics (it was NOT Top Hat and Tails). I had the chimney checked out by another firm and they felt it was just fine. The last time I had it cleaned I told them upfront not to try and tell me it needed a new liner, just to clean it. It was the quickest, most cursory cleaning I've ever seen.
Left a bad taste in my mouth. I need to find a reputable company for chimney cleaning that I can trust. Whoever was the problem one was one of the cold-canvassing callers that get you via the phone. |
mb3303
Citizen
Username: Mb3303
Post Number: 151
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, May 13, 2006 - 5:20 pm: |
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I use Top Hat and Tails, too, and they seem trustworthy. I'd try them for a 2nd opinion. |
taam
Citizen
Username: Taam
Post Number: 184
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, May 13, 2006 - 6:04 pm: |
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908-756-1807 village sweep
honest, competent & reliable. |
Calliope
Citizen
Username: Calliope
Post Number: 202
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, May 13, 2006 - 7:13 pm: |
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I second the Village Sweep. David and Tess are charming, rates are reasonable and the workers are efficient, clean and respectful of hardwood floors and carpets.
Calli |
1-2many
Supporter
Username: Wbg69
Post Number: 946
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 10:53 am: |
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G and D - did you recently buy your home? this is a scam that targets the new owners of a home. they'll call you and tell you the prior owners used them, it's time for a cleaning and inspection, yada yada yada. then when you take the bait and they come out, they give you this schpiel, and it inevitably includes the "do it right now" (before you can figure out I'm a con artist) line. do NOT have these people do this "work". it is almost surely a scam. if you have any worries, get another opinion by a recommended company. |
Jersey girl
Citizen
Username: Critterlover
Post Number: 30
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 3:03 am: |
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I called Village Sweep tonight and was told they do not service the So Orange area. The man with whom I spoke asked where I got his name. Even though he was very polite, it felt weird to be asked that question.
I asked him for a recommendation and he gave the me name of Bob Harris, and Top Hat and Tails. Bob H is apparently very involved in the trade association, actively participates on their board. Good to know Top Hat is legit, after dealing with cold callers trying to sell me a bill of goods.
Jersey girl |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3447
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 6:22 am: |
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Another reputable company (that I found via MOL) is Chimneys Unlimited. I'm not finding their phone number right now, but I'll try to track it down. |
dOd
Citizen
Username: Dod
Post Number: 76
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 8:50 am: |
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Huge scam. My wife was taken, but fortunately it didn't cost us anything as we stopped payment on the cheque, then tracked them down in LI and threatened to sue.
Use someone from here...
http://www.newjerseychimneysweepguild.com/
Bob Harris is good and fair.
Good luck,
dOd |
DRJ
Citizen
Username: Alaska
Post Number: 73
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 9:14 am: |
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Definitely go with Bob Harris. We have been using him to clean and inspect our chimney for several years.
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cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 1833
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 10:49 am: |
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Another plug for Top Hat & Tails. Honest, excellent work. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7693
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 10:59 am: |
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Bob did our new chimney liner after Maplewood Fire Department pulled the terra cotta tiles of the old one out of our furnace.
Ours is an odd size (of course) and what impressed me is that he spent several days working with other Pros (including Pierson Oil who was not, at the time, our oil company) figuring out the least expensive way to resolve the issue.
Bob rocks. And, he is a former school teacher, so if you have a kid sitting around, struggling with homework, he'll stop to help them figure it out. He did this for a kid we were babysitting. He's a very good and patient teacher. He's also a jazz musician. None of this matters, but he's a really interesting guy on top of everything else.
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