“How much does it cost to have my chimney swept?”
One of the most common questions we are asked by our customers is how much a chimney sweeping costs. This question often accompanies a comparison of our prices to another company.
At Jack Pixley Sweeps, we are proud to offer our customers above average chimney services for an average price. While our prices may seem higher than some door-to-door or seasonal chimney sweeps, we have years of experience, training, education, and cutting edge technology to provide our customers excellent fireplace and chimney services.
When does my chimney need to be swept?
In general, most homes need to have their chimney swept at least once per year. The National Fire Protection Association recommends all homes have annual chimney sweepings and inspections.
For homeowners who use their fireplaces on a frequent basis, sweepings may need to be done more than once per year. An average fireplace will need to be swept once for every cord of wood that is burned. If you burn more than one cord of wood over the course of the winter, which is common for those who use a fireplace or stove as a primary heat source, the chimney may need to be swept mid-winter.
How much does a chimney sweeping cost?
The cost of a chimney sweeping depends on a number of factors including location, experience of the chimney sweep, time since maintenance was last performed, and more. The national average for a chimney sweeping is between $150 and $350.
In the metro area of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, as well as the surrounding counties, homeowners can expect to pay between $189 to $300. These prices represent the high industry standards in the area as well as the demand for fireplace and chimney services; prices for chimney sweepings in the metro area may be higher than smaller cities in Minnesota due to the training, education, equipment, and more of the chimney sweeps.
Pricing between chimney sweeps varies; the price you are quoted often reflects the longevity of the company, the education and experience of the technicians, the type of liability insurance and workman’s comp that is covered, and more. Updated equipment and new technology that reflects current industry best practices can also have an impact on pricing.
In general, higher pricing is indicative of more a well-established, well-respected chimney sweep company. Higher prices also generally reflect the reputation on the company, the amount of time that is spent on a job site, the professionalism of the technicians, and the thoroughness of the chimney sweep cleaning and inspection.
What does a chimney sweeping include?
A chimney sweeping should include both a cleaning of the fireplace and chimney along with a basic inspection. During the sweeping the chimney technician will remove any soot, ash, and creosote from the flue. The removal of any built-up creosote is especially important; creosote is extremely flammable, and accidental ignition of creosote is one of the leading causes of chimney fire.
In addition to cleaning the chimney, the technician will inspect and accessible portions of the fireplace and chimney. This visual inspection can help identify any areas of damage of deterioration – before they turn into major chimney issues. An inspection is also a helpful tool in helping the chimney technician identify the cause of fireplace performance problems such as drafting issues or weak fires.
Why Hire a Professional
While many of us love hunting around for a bargain, hiring the least expensive chimney sweep may hurt your fireplace in the long run. Extremely low prices, such as those offered by some door to door chimney sweeps, often a low level of service; you may think your chimney has been cleaned when in actuality soot, ash, and harmful creosote have been left behind.
Take the time to research a chimney sweep before hiring them to work on your home. Look for chimney sweeps who hold professional certifications, such as those by the Chimney Safety Institute of America, or are members of professional organizations such as the National Chimney Sweep Guild. A professional chimney sweep should also be able to provide you with references, reviews, and copies of their liability insurance.
The Jack Pixley Sweeps Difference
At Jack Pixley Sweeps, we are proud to offer our customers above-average services for an average price!
There are a number of things that set us apart from our competition. The first is longevity and experience; Jack Pixley Sweeps has been in business since 1977, and our technicians have experience totaling over 70 years! Next, our company has a strong focus on education and training. Our technicians are fully insured, CSIA certified, and take continuing education courses to renew their certifications every three years.
This focus on training and education extends to our customers as well! We enjoy taking the time to discuss chimney issues, repairs, and procedures with our customers. You will often find us sharing articles with customers covering topics from chimney physics to drafting problems to intrusive water issues.
The team at Jack Pixley Sweeps have worked hard to develop a strong professional reputation – and we stand behind our work! We are proud to offer our friends and neighbors in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area high quality, customer-focused chimney services. For more information on our chimney and fireplace services or to schedule your next sweeping, contact us today!