Get matched with top fireplace pros in Auburn, GA

"I was not happy with the company. I wanted my chimney clean, with the thought of actually using the fireplace this winter. So I went online and asked for chimney sweeps, and Angie’s list came up and I applied for chimney sweeps and three people immediately called me. There were four people, I believe in all. I called all of them and I talk to them and because of the good recommendations I read i decided to go with an A Advance chimney sweeps. I was impressed that the owner was a woman and I was impressed to patronize her. Actually, her price was about $150 more than the other group. But I accepted her offered at a price of $350 to clean the chimney and for inspection. The inspection would be free. This is the first time in my life I have ever had a chimney sweep come and check my chimney. So I had absolutely no idea what I was getting into. This was really foreign for me. They were prompt in coming And the whole time she was talking and talking about the weather that because we were having so much rain( we had been having rain for three weeks straight) she went on about the the dangers of so much water coming in and the possibility of black mold and rot and shingles falling off and 1 million other things that could go wrong that it was imperative that we get that chimney Inspected and cleaned and see what is going on. She told me that they would be taking pictures of the inside of the chimney and the outside of the chimney. That way they could have a good understanding of what was going on inside. (Never ever received the pictures) And she stress the fact since I had never had my chimney cleaned in the 20 years that I lived here that probably there would be all kinds of things that would have gone wrong in that 20 years. so they cleaned the chimney which was extremely quick and then she mentioned that the grate I had to hold the logs was wrong and that it could cause a fire in my chimney because of the way it was positioned. So she mentioned she happen to have one in the car and it cost $95. Do I want it? I said yes and it was put in before I turned around! Next, she said that the damper was rusted that it was OK for now, but she said if I didn’t get it fixed, it would cost me thousands of dollars in the future. That the rain pan did not fit and had no collar on and what was happening because there was no collar on the rain pan. The water was seeping in between the chimney and in the wood. Which could cause black rot and all kinds of exterior problems. Because of the rain that we had she went on about the horrors of not fixing that chimney the horrors she had experienced and could happen! Well, I knew I was going to pay $325.00 and also I got snagged into buying a grate for $95. she said it was imperative that I got a new rain pan and the collar put on . so she immediately called her friend. She said I have a good friend who can make one up for me and probably have it by Friday which was two days later. So she got on the phone and she told the guy what she needed and she ordered it and she said it’s all set.! We got that going for you and then we sat down and she went over the bill and it came out to $2715! I said $2715? I wasn’t expecting such a bill! But she went on a long explanation about the horrors and the terrors that could happen to my house. If I didn’t get that replaced pronto with the rain and downpours, I was terrified ! and so I thought for sure this is something that I had to have done,! but she had already gone ahead and ordered this metal pan and collar to be made! But she went ahead and she made all these plans before she explained to me how much it was going to cost. When we sat down and she gave me the final bill, it was startling to say the least, but she went on enumerating, the problems I would face if she didn’t get this done for me immediately! and the problems that I was going to have that I felt like if I didn’t do it, my house was going to burn down. So I paid her a check for the whole business! After she left and I sat and thought about the fact that all of a sudden I’m paying $2715 for something that I wasn’t quite sure about. I sort of felt like I had been given the fast shuffle! I called a friend of mine who said that was pretty outrageous and that I should stop the check. But I thought I would be nice and I called Denise and I said look that’s more than I can afford at this time and I need to cancel the check. I’d pay for the grate and the inspection but the rain pan and collar I would need to think about it. But then she went into hysterics and on a tirade about the fact that she already ordered the pan and had to pay her bills and had to pay the boy who came with her! She told me that the person that she ordered the rain pan and collar would never never deal with her again. So I was stunned! I was scared as to how she was treating me , so I went with it. But her reaction to me from then on, was like, I already got your money lady, so don’t give me any problems! and she really complained to me the whole time about her boy coming out to install this metal sheet and the rain and maybe the rain would interfere with him getting out on time to install it. And then 4th of July weekend they were off and they wouldn’t get out till Tuesday or Wednesday! She was to have pictures taken of the inside, they never did get me the pictures, because a rain storm came up and the boy couldn’t continue and he had to come by the next day! Such a drama. When I called her about when the boy was coming out and the pictures of the inside of the chimney she just about chewed off my head! She had made such a great deal out of the urgency of getting that rain pan and collar up that her laxity manner was starling to me considering how urgent she told me it was to get that pan and collar on with the torrential rains we were having ! and at one point she had me so unnerved she told me if I raised my voice she’d hang up on me!!! Turns out my chimney was not leaking, all this rain pan and collar was a preventative. It was not as urgent as she had gone on about and that the chimney wasn’t that dirty considering it had never been cleaned."

"Good job well"

"Tomas did an amazing job installing quartzite on a fireplace, building a mantel and installing a mount for the tv. He was able to start our project early and was on time."

"Scott and his team was awesome!!"

"Juan (owner of Men in Black Hardscapes) is kind, honest, and incredibly reliable. He is a master craftsmen in a variety of disciplines pertaining to landscaping, hardscapes, masonry among others. His team built two 30' retaining walls for an in-ground pool/spa project we had going on. We were so impressed with his work that we hired him to build an outdoor fireplace, install travertine pavers under our deck, grout the pavers the pool company laid, build a new staircase with backlit treads leading down to the pool, install dry-wells and drainage. Juan was patient with us because we are very particular and made sure that we were 100% satisfied with everything. He is also bi-lingual which made communication clear and easy. Men in Black Hardscapes is the only company I'll use for any future outdoor home projects."

"We found what was needed to fix the chimney we were not able to afford it. But He said that if we gave him the trailer he would provided a discount. And we gave him the trailer and TOLD him to register the trailer. But he Never did. We trust him. And Next we received from the state of Georgia for a toying violation until March 2023. We sent the bookkeeper all the copies of the towing violation. HE WERE REALLY UNHAPPY! He did a good job for our chimney But that doesn't mean He treat his customer like these! We told Him to stop Driving it. But He keeps riding it! It was really Bad! You already cost us 125 hundreds dollar for this. AND I'M STILL WAITING FOR THE HUNDRED DOLLARS CHARGE FROM YOU THAT WE PAY REIMBURSE! The last towing violation came in recently from the state of Georgia collection agency and we have to pay that to protect our credit."