Fireplace Freddie

We hired Fireplace Freddie to inspect and fix our 100-year-old fireplace & chimney, making it safe to burn real wood again. Nick and Scott came out quickly, and used cameras to inspect. During the inspection Nick visually showed me what the issues were. He also verbally suggested the fix. After the inspection, we received pics and a price quote to fix the issues by installing a stainless steel sleeve in the chimney. We sent the pics and info to 3 other businesses to compare prices. After speaking with Nick numerous times, including 2 conversations with my old school contractor buddy who asked Nick just about every ridiculous question he could possibly think of, Nick remained cool and answered all of his questions. Nick also agreed to do the job with a permit from LADBS which they included in the price, so we decided Fireplace Freddie was the right company to do the job. Patrick was our installer. He had a co-worker, but I didn't catch his name. They showed up on time, covered the floor and furniture and did their job. It took a few days as they said it would, but they were on time, clean and friendly. Each day they came, they covered everything. Each night, they cleaned up and uncovered everything before they left. Patrick also dealt with our LADBS inspector who admittedly was not well versed in chimney repair. Patrick was very friendly, gave the inspector the information he needed including printed specs from the manufacturer, and we passed inspection w/o issue. Scott came back 1 week later to test the fireplace. He lit a fire to make sure it was all good, and it is. To sum it all up, everyone was friendly and professional. The job went super smooth, and we are able to use our wood burning fireplace again, safely.  I would highly recommend Fireplace Freddie. A+

On time, professional, clean.

We got 4 bids for our fireplace. Read some good and some bad reviews of all of them. Fireplace Freddie topped the bids price wise, but negotiated down a bit after we said we would paint. Once we signed the contract, they showed up right on time the next day to start the job and the demo went well. Once that was done, work slowed to a crawl and we could not seem to find out who was in charge of our project. We spoke with about 5 different people throughout the project with none of them knowing or even having access to complete information. Communication both within the company and with us was poor. Scheduling was WAY off with some days nobody showing up or calling. Sometimes they would show up and work for 2 hours then be gone for 3 days. The only positive thing I can say is that Juan and his partner who actually performed the work were professional and did good work. Would not use Fireplace Freddie again and would not recommend them to anyone.

They came on time and completed the work as agreed to. They were excellent about cleaning up and checking their work. A few days later, another representative of the company came by to do a quality check on the work done. I highly recommend Fireplace Freddie

READ THIS BEFORE YOU HIRE THIS COMPANY.
I had these guys out 2 days ago to inspect our fireplaces and tell me what needs to be done to get them up to code and working.  I know that it needs work.  I was told that when we bought the house.  Not a surprise.  We've never lit a fire in either fireplace.  
I will not go into every detail but I will tell you my quote: $8,920.  Nope not to run new pipes or anything major work, this was just to replace the stainless steel cap on top of the chimney and put stainless steel screen in the caps.  EIGHT THOUSAND, NINE HUNDRED AND TWENTY DOLLARS!!!
I don't know how the guy could look me in the eye when telling me -- EIGHT THOUSAND, NINE HUNDRED AND TWENTY DOLLARS to replace a cap and screens.  
And this quote did not even include opening the top cap to see if the pipes need to be replaced or if they're braced or what needs to get done to get these fireplaces to code.  They charged me for the inspection and talked me into a cleaning which I didn't need if I'm not using the fireplace.  These guys are first class, A-1, five star SHARKS.    
The only reason I got this quote is because of my zip code.  Hey, Freddie, I didn't get to live in a nice neighborhood because I'm stupid.    
BEFORE YOU HIRE THIS COMPANY: Get multiple estimates.  Trust me.

This review is seventeen months in the making...
In the two years after buying a house, I?ve done extensive projects, from plumbing and
electrical to replacing the entire house foundation. I?ve worked with various
companies but I?ve never experienced such an astonishing lack of skill,
management, quality, efficiency, and communication as I have with FIREPLACE
FREDDIE; so much so, I almost think that it must be a ?front? for some
clandestine illegal business.
The job, which began in July 2013, was to install a new gas insert fireplace and venting.
They underbid other companies because they used the wrong (cheaper, incorrect) firebox.
I?d found the one I wanted, a see-through front to back unit, but the salesman sold me
something that looked very similar (but less expensive). After installation, the
Fireplace Freddie peeps failed to show up for the inspection, but the city
inspector left a huge list of things that were done incorrectly.
The most egregious issue was the fact the company installed
an indoor/indoor fireplace. The rear portion was never meant to be exposed to
outside, which was clearly indicated in the manual. Their response was to convince
me to let them jerry rig it.  Even if I hadn?t refused, the city would have never
allowed it.
The second one they installed was indoor/outdoor, but was significantly
smaller than the unit I wanted. There was so much space around it, the cat
could easily stroll through the gaps around the firebox to the outside of the
house. Finally, I insisted that they install the box that I had brought to them initially.
I paid some more money, and signed a new contract.
At this point Fireplace Freddie (mysterious owner who has
never returned a call to this day) sent his lackeys to have me re-sign yet a third contract
because he was now getting involved and he said the contract I?d signed (the one his people put
together) would mean he?d lose money from all these bonehead mistakes.
Why would anyone in their right mind sign another contract so that they could pay more
 money to the people who are screwing him over? Well that didn?t stop them from trying.
The smarmy sales guy lied to my face, I called him out,
pointed to the binding second contract and asked them to finish. Again, they
didn?t show up for the inspection appointment that revealed further failures.
This happened a lot, and the city inspector was as annoyed as I.
When it was all said and done, the fireplace worked
intermittently. They did come by to ?fix? it but there was no change. This
actually turned out to be a good thing, and maybe even saved my life, my
roommates, and my pets.
I hired the best ? Boston Brick and Stone - to reface the
fireplace, install the hearth and re-brick the ventilated chimney. Fireplace
Freddie?s work was so poorly done, Boston Brick were worried about moving
forward. I delayed their start and hired a third party inspector to come and
compile a list of everything still wrong with the firebox install and venting.
That?s when I found out the whole place could?ve burned. I also found at that
the inspector I hired was coincidentally one that had inspected their work on
my fireplace last year. He told me he had informed them of the incorrect firebox
install, and they chose to keep it quiet.
I gave Fireplace Freddie the option to fix everything on the
list, or pay to have a reputable company do it. After another (out of pocket
inspection), everything finally seems to be working, but man I really had to
work for it. Do not use Fireplace Freddie. Pay more and go directly to Boston Brick and Stone.
 
 

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Really courteous and friendly. Fixed the problem quickly and did a complete inspection of my fireplace along with reasonable rates. Would use again.

I called up the office explained the situation with the "collapsed" Fireplace?they suggested an inspection and then I would get a quote for the repair.    The inspector that came was rude and condescending and actually was annoyed that this request happened during the holiday week.  I never received the inspection report, nor pictures.  However, 2 weeks later they did send a quote of $50K for the repairs.  In the meantime 3 other companies had come and the most the other quotes came in at were $19K.  All 3 other companies  included the full inspections report with pictures and explanations of the repairs.  Unfortunately I would NOT recommend this company?I had high hopes from all the previous great remarks when I was searching on Angies list.  I've never had to leave a bad review on Angies list?this is my first and I hope my last.

Very professional and conscientious, all the workers that came into my home treated it like their own

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stop us from using an in operable fireplace. which could have caused a fire in our attice

Went well.  Technician very helpful.....

Well

Excelent work and expertise all around.  From the first inspection I had a good feeling about them.  This is not a company out to make a quick buck on the latest home improvement fad.  This is a company of fireplace experts with a passion for preservation and repairs.
The work istself took about a week.  Some of the special cement used to repair the flue tiles was on special order from the east coast.  All materials they used were from the US.  They knew what they were doing.
You should contact them if you love your fireplace and want it cleaned or repaired properly.  I would not hesitate to use them in the future.
A few weeks after the repairs are done, the lead inspector comes back out to do another thorough review, with cameras and all.  He will fix anything that is not 100% to his liking.
This  company IS the real deal.

It went great!  James knew what to do and how to do it.  Any questions he had he called the manufacturer for answers.  He answered all of my questions and made recommendations.  Since his service call both fireplaces are working fine and we are enjoying them.

I would not recommend Fireplace Freddie if you need any tile work done in addition to fireplace/chimney repair. For reasons that were never adequately explained to me, the fireplace company changed the plans on how to repair the subflooring and ending up removing the tiles around the hearth. The company advised me that they could do the tile work as well and sent me to James. James is a bit of a flake. I was able to set that aside, however, and selected the tile I wanted. A man named Ron came to my house. He is apparently a general contractor working with Fireplace Freddie. Ron occasionally brings in his own workers to lay tiles. HE IS NOT QUALIFIED TO SUPERVISE TILE WORK. I had the distinct misfortune of meeting his employee, Gilbert. Ron left Gilbert unsupervised for the entire project - the laying of seven tiles- which Gilbert managed to botch beyond belief, not only gouging the tiles when he cut them to fit but gouging small notches into the hardwood floor bordering the fireplace. I was devastated. I had just gotten the house a month before and it was my first house. I imagined that the job was simple enough to allow me to run errands while Gilbert worked and Ron supervised. Ron did not even tell me he was going to leave. He came back when I called and acknowledged that the job had to be redone and my floor fixed. I have never seen such incompetence. I could have done a better job. And I was upset that Ron left without so much as a word to me. Needless to say, I complained to James and Tag, another Fireplace Freddie employee. I will give them credit for their willingness to make the job right, but really what choice did they have? I had paid $10,000 for the entire job, chimney work included, and had come home to see my hardwood flooring destroyed. Ron came out a second time with new workers and LEFT THEM ALONE AGAIN!! This time, I was wise enough to stay but Ron disappeared. I called and he came back 30 mins later. He watched the guys but not very closely because when they were done, I realized one tile was not lined up with the floor and another had an obvious chip which Ron missed. I complained a third time. I should have gone to another company and demanded reimbursement but my judgment was clouded by disbelief and anger. How hard is it to lay 7 tiles? Ron and his workers came out a third time and did an okay job. I had a male friend stand around and supervise and Ron didn't leave. But the damage to my floors could not be repaired without removing the hardwood and inserting a new piece or filling in the gouge marks left behind by Gilbert. I chose the filler option because it seemed simpler. If you look closely, you can see a yellowish border lining the side of the wood closest to the hearth. Nothing like it used to be. Fireplace Freddie "made it right" by doing a passable job after 3 tries. I would recommend going elsewhere if your fireplace project requires tilework because Fireplace Freddie does not have quaified workers who specialize in laying tiles and is ignorant of this obvious fact, or simply does not care. As evidence for the latter proposition, I complained to Tag the second time and have yet to hear back from him.

We are tremendously satisfied with the entire job.

First, John correctly assessed our problem and made it possible for us to have a completely non-functional and broken fireplace rendered usable once more.

Led by George, the crew of Victor, Francisco, and Ian did a terrific job throughout the repair.  George's knowledge on fireplace repair was so encyclopedic that we were astounded.  His eye for perfection and the smallest of details was incredible.  The entire crew was professional and knowledgeable regarding all aspects of the job.  They were hyper-aware of how messy a fireplace repair of this type could be, and were absolutely diligent in making sure the entire work area was kept as clean as possible.  It was a pleasure to have them do the job.

We are looking forward to the first cold day so that we can enjoy our new fireplace.

We would use this company and this crew (particularly George) again in an instant.  We highlhy recommend Fireplace Freddie.

We tried using our indoor fireplace for the first time after moving in, but smoke just came inside of the house. We also tried out our outdoor firepit that is adjacent to the indoor fireplace and the smoke odor jsut went into the house. We called Fireplace Freddie to have it evaluated and repaired so that we can get it to work without having all the smoke come in. John, from Fireplace Freddie came to our house and did a very thorough assessment. John is so knowledgable in every aspect of fireplace/chimney. He recommended to have a smoke guard placed, add a 2 inches of masonary to the existing (newly) placed firebox, and a new chimney cap placed. For the outdoor firepit. He suggested it needs to be swepted. We decided to have it done since he would be able to do it while he was here and stated that we can even try out the fireplace to make sure it worked. John did all necessary work and tried it out and worked! He also recommend that we close the indoor flue all the way when using the outdoor pit to reduced the smoke odor into the house. We are very happy with the overall work done.

They did pretty well. They were very responsive and professional. I have him come out again he is coming out. I would use their services again in the future.

We were hiring this company to come out every year and sweep our chimney. Last year they told us we needed a new chimney cap and gave us an outrageous quote. They told us they won't clean the chimney without placing a new cap and that our current chimney was a huge fire risk. We got worried had our contractor and another company come out and look at the chimney. The claims that Fireplace Freddie made were bogus, later when we called and told them what our other inspection had found they changed their story and said they were only reccomending we have the chimney cap changed and denied they had every told us our current situation was a fire hazard. Bottom line these guys are slick and will try to take advantage of any situation to make a few extra bucks.

I put in a new furnace that has an uptake fan which was sucking cold was coming into the living room through the fireplace. So I needed a way to shut the flue. There wasn't one when I moved in. So I figured I'd better have it swept too. John was prompt, courteous and professional. He did the sweep and took the dimensions for the damper. He came back a couple of days later and installed it and a new cap.

I joined Angie's List solely to find a chimney sweep in the San Fernando Valley/LA area. After reading bad reviews for other companies I went with Fireplace Freddie and they were excellent. I purchased a new house and wanted to get the fireplace going for the first time for Christmas and we have been enjoying it ever since. Thanks Fireplace Freddie and thanks Angie's List!