SWIFT SERVICES INC

The work was incredibly slow with very little explanation of timeline. Originally, we were told it would be a three day job and we explained we were on a timeline. The crew worked varied hours (as little as one hour one day) with little communication about what was done. The whole project took over a week to complete. The owner came to the house and measured everything to get a quote. We were told the crew would start the job on December 3rd (originally 11/25th). They arrived unprepared, without materials, and to measure again. They were aware that the job was moving forward so they could have measured before 12/3, but made no effort to prepare for the work. The owner said they had to proof the chimney (however, we were told that the actual work would have begun on 12/3 since the measurements were already taken and documented on the original quote). More than weather appeared to have impacted the job’s completion. A lack of planning around the weather appeared to have impacted the job. A metal flashing was installed as a barrier in my young daughter’s room. It was not cut to size, had sharp edges that could have cut her, and was done with exceptionally poor craftsmanship expected of an apprentice, at best. We requested it removed and done properly. The flashing was removed and, in the process of removing it, damaged the chimney. They did not repair the damage they caused leaving holes in the chimney where they screwed in multiple masonry screws. More about this later. At one point we did speak to the craftsman about the flashing and the speech was incoherent, circular, and jumbled making it difficult to understand what was said. At one point in the job, our router and blink cameras (inside and outside the house) were unplugged and disabled while they were working in our house without us present. I had to call the office to have them call the crew to plug them back in as we use them to see that our kid gets off the bus and safely home. After that conversation due to concerns about the crew, the timeframe, and work , multiple attempts were made to contact the owner. Office staff fielded the calls and told us to write down our concerns and share them with the owner. Finally, on the last day of the job, the owner arrived unannounced at our house while my wife was home. He did not call nor return any phone calls. When we did speak to him, he was rude, condescending, and told us he didn’t return our phone calls because he was away. He is the principal operator and owner and, according to his office staff, inaccessible as the primary and only decision maker. Never once during our phone calls were we informed the owner was inaccessible because he was away and not taking phone calls related to HIS BUSINESS. When he did arrive in the final day he dismissed our concerns, interrupted us multiple times (at one point telling us to hurry up because he knew what I was going to say - even before I said it) and refused to fix the damage done when taking off the flashing because “it was in the contract”. When I criticized his dismissiveness of our concerns and lack of accessibility as owner of the company, he engaged in ad hominem attacks against me by calling me a bully (using a definition of bullying he created) while referencing his grandson’s school project on bullying. The only thing that was done in a timely fashion was cashing the check I wrote them for services. Even the invoice documenting payment took two days. I would encourage people looking for quality customer service, good communication, reliable work, valid timelines, and an invested owner that is accessible to cast a wide net before settling on Swift. All that being said, they do a good job sweeping/cleaning chimneys so there’s that.

On 3/24/2020 3:40 PM, John wrote: > > I am very appreciative that Swift Services, Inc. had sent John Zeron > and his son A.J. to my home to inspect my chimney on March 17th 2020. > They took the time to explain what they were looking for as concerns > were raised as to problems left by another chimney sweeping company. > John also explained proper remedies as to what repairs and adjustments > are needed along with why this work should be done. I really > appreciated John's attention to detail in his Swift Services, Inc. > "Report/Proposal" of 3/17/20. I have advised John Zeron, and now Swift > Services, Inc., that I am requesting he and his son inspect my chimney > annually because I am extremely impressed with their interest in doing > their work correctly. John Ehlers

Every person we dealt with at Swift Services was a true professional, from the owner, who came out right away when we called, to the extremely knowledgeable diagnostician and his apprentice, (we learned A LOT) to the multi-tasking office manager, to the skilled workmen who did our entire installation. Everyone was very pleasant, communication was easy and clear, we got exactly what we wanted, and most importantly, safety is their priority. They also cleaned up after themselves thoroughly. I'm glad I chose Swift Services and will be using them to clean and maintain our system for years to come. Highly recommend.

Great. The professionals from Swift Services were: *Prompt in scheduling my appointment *Punctual *They explained what they were going to do, and showed me what they found as they went along. I was able to watch what they were finding in the chimney through the camera (via a computer). *They cleaned my dryer vent, and it is a dangerously long one! They also vacuumed out the dryer itself! *Low pressure. They made recommendations but gave me a future timeline to consider getting them done since they would not impact my safety. *Clean, left no mess at all? I would recommend them for both chimney sweep and dryer vent cleaning. ? I did get the upgraded chimney inspection so it was alittle more costly.

We have only been through the inspection (EXTREMELY thorough) and estimate process so far, but the wealth of knowledge shown by both the owner and his expert crew have been invaluable. They REALLY know their stuff. We are looking forward to the next phase in our chimney repair. .

Quite well. A ladder was needed to reach vent as my laundry room is on the second floor. Swift Services had all necessary equipment. They were efficent, competent and easy to work with. I had about a 3 week wait time and I needed to speak to their secretary, Mary Ann a few times. She was knowledgable, resourceful and a pleasant.

These guys are always professional and thorough. I've had them out 4 times in the last 6 years (and I don't think the price has changed in that time), and each time John and AJ are professional and educational. Before John leaves, he's sure to sit down and ask questions about how we use the fireplace to make sure we are using the most effective practices for burning wood. We get not only a cleaning, but a lesson. On at least two of the occasions they were running late from a previous job, but they called promptly, apologized, revised their arrival time and showed up within that time frame. The communication is good (especially because they set specific appointment times rather than "service window hours", as some industries do). Each time they have come, they have provided pretty much the same recommendations for future work. This time, John came down from the roof (after a basic sweeping) to show me pictures of what was happening to the brick work around the top of my chimney. This certainly shows that the recommendations that he made six years ago are continuing to grow in necessity. While I may not like the need to have a significant job done on the chimney, I appreciate that he's patiently showing this his initial recommendation was right. I cannot speak to whether their pricing is high or low as I've not had anyone else come for an estimate. But the cost for the service seems fair to me.

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These guys were great. They thoroughly inspected and cleaned my chimney
and fireplace, put in a new flue, explained everything as they did it.
They even took down an old TV antenna from the roof (we bought an old
house in the city) and they cleaned up. Our dog got out in the new
neighborhood while we were all busy working and both guys stopped what
they were doing to help us find the dog (we did.) Very happy and would
highly recommend them.

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Great service- above and beyond to ensure our safety and a job done correctly. Thank you.

We had been misled by a previous contractor who completed some repair work on our chimney. Swift Services took a video of the chimney interior and cell phone photos on our roof, so we could see the damage and understand the repairs needed. We had several repair options and they answered all of our questions without pressuring us to choose a specific service. We decided to stop using the fireplace and save up for the repairs. We contacted Swift Services a year later and they scheduled us for the repairs without charging us for an additional inspection or even requiring another estimate. Everyone we had contact with was professional and easy to work with.

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Please see above.

I have used them for four years and service has always been fast, efficient and done correctly!  Swift not only services pellet stoves but many other services.  We cannot express how much we recommend Swift Services!  Even Mary Anne in the office was always willing to fit us in as soon as possible and always friendly. We love our new stove!! We love Swift Services.  It is rare to be so pleased with a company.  You can't go wrong with any services provided by Swift!  They are the greatest!

went well.  arrived on time.  should notify me when needs yearly maintenance again

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We asked for an estimate to install a wood stove in our very old home's fireplace.  Unfortunately, there was a lot of work needed and we did not go ahead with the install (yet, we are saving for it!)  But while they were in my home, they did some minor work on the fireplace box and the price was very fair.  They were professional and courteous, and enjoyable!  Thank you for tolerating my curious dogs!

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Swift was the second company we called to do our annual chimney clean and also our dryer vent looked at.  The first company took almost two days to call back, but Swift answered my call on the second ring and I had an appointment for two days later.  
Once they arrived (on time), they put down a tarp to catch the ash and soot and went right to work.  John inspected all the components of the wood stove, then moved on to the pellet stove and dryer vent.  He found installation problems on my pellet stove and gave me ideas to work around the issues.  The dryer venting was inspected, measured!, and cleaned and I was very comfortable with the job they did.  To say they were thorough is an understatement!  I felt like I received a lot of value for the money I spent and plan on bringing them back next year.

Everything always goes well when John comes by to clean out the chimney, which I make sure to do every year, since I have a woodstove and run it pretty consistently over the winter (especially this past winter - yikes!). It is nice to know that John has extensive experience dealing with air flows, and what may, may not cause my woodstove to run too hot or not hot enough.  We usually have a conversation about how best to run the woodstove, after he is done with his work, which I find enlightening, even after all these years.  In fact this year, he even asked if I use newspaper to warm up the flue before lighting the woodstove (I do, but it isn't like I started a fire when he was here so he knew).  Bad practice - so, he gave me some other suggestions for getting the flue's airflow going correctly. I like dealing with Swift for three main reasons (1) always on time, prompt, (2) knowledgeable about the equipment and the environment and (3) take the time to understand how I use my woodstove, so I can get the most out of it.

Came on time, celaned up after themselves, went over one potential future service issue with me.

They came on time. The crew was very mannerly and very respectful. They were very pleasant to work with. The supervisor of the crew was here regularly and made sure everything went well. He kept in contact with me if there were any changes in plan. They were very good and kept me in the loop. They were very clean and cleaned up after themselves. I felt very comfortable with them. They were very respectful of my property and me.