Common Chimney Scams

How “Technicians” Turn Into Salesmen — And What You Can Do About It

Let’s not sugarcoat it:

Most chimney companies don’t work with a price list. They work with one goal: “get as much money from this homeowner as possible.”

Their “technicians” are usually salesmen in uniform, trained to push panic and close fast.

We’re not guessing — we’ve cleaned up their mess too many times.

Here’s exactly how it works, what to watch for, and how to protect yourself.

🚩 Scam #1: The $99 “Basic Cleaning” That Becomes a $600 “Deep Cleaning”

How it starts: You call and ask, “Is the chimney sweep really $99?” They say yes. You book.

When the tech shows up? He shines a flashlight, gasps, and says:

“There’s heavy buildup — this needs a deep cleaning, not basic.”

What’s the scam?

• “Deep cleaning” is a real service — but it involves chemical soaking and a second sweep, not just more brushing.

• Most of the time, they do the exact same sweep they were already going to do — and charge extra for the label.

• They’ll start at $600, then slowly drop the price based on your reactions.

What to do:

• Ask what the deep cleaning includes and how it’s different.

• If it doesn’t involve materials or extra time — it’s not deep.

• Don’t pay more than your original quote without written approval.

🚩 Scam #2: No Price List — Just “What You’ll Pay Today”

How it works: There’s no menu. No hourly rate. No flat fee.

They look at:

• Your zip code

• Your car

• Your house

• Your body language

Then they decide what you personally might pay.

They might say:

“We usually charge $800… but I’ll do it for $500 today only.”

What they mean is:

“Let’s see how much I can get out of you before you say no.”

What to do:

• Ask: “Do you have a standard price list?”

• If they dodge — walk away.

• Demand a written quote before authorizing any work.

🚩 Scam #3: Emergency Repairs That Aren’t Urgent (Or Real)

What they say:

“There are cracks in your flue — this is a serious fire hazard." ”Your crown is crumbling — you need a full rebuild now.” “Your cap is letting in rain — this can destroy your chimney.”

What they really mean:

“Here’s a minor issue we’ll blow out of proportion and overcharge to fix.”

Truth is, many of these problems:

• Can wait

• Take under 10 minutes to fix

• Require inexpensive materials

But urgency equals leverage.

What to do:

• Ask: “Can you show me a close-up photo?”

• Ask: “Can this wait a month or two?”

• If they say “No” without explanation — get a second opinion.

🚩 Scam #4: Fast-Talk Flipping Between “Safety” and “Sales”

They all follow the same pattern:

1. Build trust:

   “Don’t worry, I’m not here to sell anything. Just want to keep you safe.”

2. Create fear:

   “But I found something serious — honestly, I wouldn’t sleep with this unfixed.”

3. Push urgency:

   “We can do it right now. If you wait, it might be too late — and cost more.”

This is classic pressure-selling. It works because it makes you second-guess yourself.

What to do:

• Ask for a written estimate and take a break.

• Never agree to repairs on the spot — real safety issues can wait a day.

• Real pros don’t need to rush you.

🚩 Scam #5: The $200 Chimney Cap That Sells for $2,500

What they say:

“You need a new chimney cap — it’s rusted/damaged/missing. ”We custom-build and install them for $2,000–$2,500.”

What’s the scam?

• These companies buy chimney caps from suppliers for $150–$250.

• Install takes 15–30 minutes.

• They add a made-up story about “custom fabrication” and try to charge 10x the real cost — sometimes more.

They often won’t tell you:

• Who made the cap

• What it’s made of

• What it actually costs

  
  

  instead, they say:

“We make them ourselves". But they won’t show you how, where, or with what.

🛠 How to Protect Yourself from Cap Scams:

✅ Call a chimney cap supplier yourself. Ask:

• “What kind of cap fits this type of chimney?”

• “What’s the cost?”

• “How long does installation take?”

You’ll learn most caps cost under $250 and install in 30 minutes or less.

✅ Buy your own cap — and hire install only. If a company says:

“We only install our own caps", or refuses to install yours, it’s a red flag. That’s not a safety policy — that’s margin protection.

✅ Ask for transparency. If they won’t tell you:

• The brand

• The price

• What materials it’s made of You’re being manipulated.

✅ Know the real price range. A stainless-steel chimney cap + install should cost $400–$600 max.

If someone is quoting $2,000+ with no breakdown, you’re being overcharged — plain and simple.

What Honest Chimney Work Looks Like

✅ A tech shows up on time, in uniform✅ They inspect — and show you clear photos✅ They explain, not pressure✅ They offer a written quote — no surprises✅ They let you think it over

At Sootly, we built our business on one rule:

If it’s not fair — we don’t do it.

We clean what needs cleaning. Fix what’s broken. And if everything’s fine? We shake your hand and say goodbye — no drama.

Final Word

Scams work because they rely on fear, confusion, and urgency.

But the moment you slow down and ask real questions, you take back control.

Ask for photos. Ask for prices. Ask for time. If someone can’t give you all three — don’t trust them.

💬 Want honest chimney work?

We offer free estimates and $100 chimney sweep, guaranteed. no pressure, no tricks. Just straight answers and solid work.

👉 [Schedule with Sootly]