Having a fireplace at home is wonderful, especially on those cold winter nights when there’s no place that you’d rather be than curled comfortably in front of a roaring fire. However, you need to keep your chimney clean and in good condition, after all, it does serve a very important purpose, that of removing the smoke from the room which helps to keep you and your family safe from harm.
If you’re to hire the right chimney sweeping business for your needs, one that’s experienced and provides cost-effective and reliable services, you need to ask them the following five questions.
- How long have you been in the industry?
Experience is essential, so always ask a potential business how long they have been operating in the industry. While there are some very good chimney sweeping businesses that have just got off the ground, generally speaking, it’s always best to look for reliable chimney sweeps in Berkshire with many years’ industry experience. You should find many businesses that have been operating in their local area successfully for many years and these are usually the best choice.
- Can you provide me with references?
It’s always a good idea to ask for references just to be sure that a chimney sweeping business delivers the kind of service that you’re looking for. If you’re a domestic customer, ask for a reference from another domestic customer who’s been impressed by the service that they provide.
You should also do the same if you’re a commercial customer, so ask for a reference from another local business and make the most of the opportunity to ask for recommendations from family, friends and other local home or business owners.
- Is your business insurance policy valid?
A valid business liability insurance policy is a must. You will find that it’s a requirement for all service providers to carry a valid policy so don’t hesitate to ask potential chimney sweeping businesses about this.
- What certifications do you have?
There are certain certifications required of service providers like chimney sweeps and it’s essential that they have the required qualifications. Gas Safe and HETAS, for example, are the certifications that you should look for in the UK. You can check this on their website and if you really want to make sure that they’re certified, you can also check this on the relevant website.
- Do you also offer fireplace services?
Most, but not all, chimney sweeping businesses offer fireplace and related services, so it’s vital to ask about this. Keeping your fireplace in excellent condition is just as important as keeping your chimney operating efficiently, so by ensuring they offer all the services that you have need of now as well as in the future, you can use the services of a single service provider. This has many benefits to offer.
These are five questions that you need to ask when sourcing a reliable provider of chimney sweeping services in your area. Use these questions to source the right chimney sweep for your needs.