Top Cat Chimney Sweep

We had a large squirrel nest in our chimney. Brian came out to take a look and said that although it was large and difficult he could remove it. He did so over the course of a few weeks. It was difficult and messy but he got it done with basic sweeping tools and a buddy. during this time period he recommended doing repairs to the chimney because we had loose bricks that were holding the current cap/mesh solution on. The situation was crumbling. He also recommended a re-pointing job and a new cap. re-pointing was a sorry job if you ask me, the top edge of the chimney remained unsound as I found out later. The chimney cap did not cover the opening and they cut scrap of metal mesh to cover the space. Water can still get into the chimney further degrading the cement. Squirrels can also get in. Furthermore, the cap is held in place by 3 tiny screws and a whole lot of smeared on construction adhesive caulk. Seriously. after they left I went up look and took pictures. I sent them to him and he said that they chimney was crumbling so they couldn't get any screws in very well and that the current solution would hold. He also said he had his buddy go up here and do the install. His buddy is not a chimney guy, just his buddy who was along for some extra cash. The actual chimney guy didn't do the install. While I'm not a chimney guy myself, I do know how things work, how things are built and how to do a number of installations. Along with the power of google and looking at my chimney job I see that these guys scammed the **** out of me and that I will be redoing this job myself soon, or finding a real professional to do it. 3 self tapping sheet metal screws barley even in the brick, large gaps between cap rim and chimney rim, unresolved cement work, adhesive caulk smeared all around the perimeter that will not last one freeze thaw season and is also so this it's not sticking to anything. it;s just a smeared mess. totally inappropriate material to hold on a large steel cap. I could literally pull the cap and top bricks off with one firm tug, tearing the whole thing away. I need it to stay put through the winter. I hope it does. I called many times to get Brian to resolve the thing, sometimes I got a call back with an excuse and a promise that he would come back to make it right. He eventually stopped calling back and I have a ridiculous $800 chimney repair that needs to be redone from scratch. A few times he left a message that he was going to come by but didn't know if I was home. The chimney is on the outside of the house, accessible by a ladder. You know? I'm not one to leave bad reviews unless things are really bad. This is as bad as I could have imagined. It's so much of a joke that I can't wait to show the real chimney guy I call to repair it. A real crap job by a sorry "company". I can't imagine what this guy was thinking. Plus, he only took cash or checks made out to cash. all in all, a really silly operation Overall the process took well over a month and is unresolved

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I used Top Cat 4 years ago when Walter still owned it. The new owner was just as professional, prompt and easy to work with as Walter was. I had the chimney cleaned and two stainless steel chimney caps installed for around $375.00. I was so pleased with the job that I have already referred a coworker to use them for some caps he needs. I should add that I'm pretty particular about contractors and I am difficult to please. I don't recommend contractors lightly; they have to earn my referrals. Top Cat definitely did.

I have used top cat for over twenty years, they used to do wonderful work when Walter owned the company. It was taken over by a young man that worked for him. The price was always a good value for the work they did, but not this last time. Less than a week after he cleaned out the chimney the cap flew off during a mild storm. I called to have it put back on, he said it was because of the wind, and said he would charge to put it back on. I asked to speak to Walter about it he said he would get back to us. I called back a week later left a message, no response. Called every day finally spoke to someone and he said they would be out to put it on, came by and said he needed stuff at the shop to attach it that he would be back in a day or so. Gave him a week then called him, leaving a message. No call back. Had to keep calling several times a day leaving a message on machine asking for Walter, no call back. Finally someone answered and admitted Walter sold the company, and promised to come out in two days. Never showed. To make it worse, when my daughter went to start the coal stove, we learned they never cleaned the inside of the coal stove, so my daughter who has asthma had to do it. Walter always cleaned it out, it was part of the price, he told my daughter he never wanted her to clean out the stove. Thankfully though Walter showed her that there is a half circle hole in the back that needs to be kept clean throughout the winter, otherwise carbon monoxide would fill the house. If he hadn't shown it to my daughter, we never would have seen it because it was completely blocked by coal dust. The new owner knew my husband had lung cancer and stayed in the basement, this could have been a disaster if my Daughter hadn't been told this the year before, because I didn't know about that half circle. I always told people to use Top Cat, but now I tell everyone to avoid them. I was very unhappy with them, when reading reviews only go by the ones after the end of 2014 and not before.

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SHowed up promptly. Very friendly. Worked very hard and efficiently. They cleaned up when they were done adn gave very good advice. I have recommended them to everyone I know. They didnt try to sell me services I wasn't looking to get and gave me an honest and fair estimate when I called.

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They are very good and very professional. They took care of the problem. It was a pleasure to work with them.

I called Walter at Top Cat and he returned my call the same day. I explained that I had company coming into town for the holidays and wanted to get my chimney cleaned before they arrived. He said he was very busy but made a point to fit me into his schedule.
Walt arrived at the day and time specified. He is very personable as well as being very thorough and professional. He did the cleaning of the chimney and then was very careful to clean up after himself. He also looked at a potential problem I had on the exterior of the chimney and we discussed fixing that in the Spring. Overall the experience was a positive one and I would not hesitate to hire Top Cat again to clean my chimney.

We have been using Top Cat Chimney since we loved into our home 17 years ago. Walter and his staff are very good at what they do. We receive a call when they are on the way to the house and are prompt and efficient. They do a very thorough cleaning job, spending a lot of time and then completely cleaning up when done. They are pleasant and professional, and have made repairs when either discovered during cleaning or by our requests. We would highly recommend Top Cat Chimney - it is the only company we use.

Very good, they were prompt. I like the fact that I received a phone call when they were leaving. He called me and said he would be there in 20 minutes and he was. They were very clean and very thorough. We had just moved into the house and he disinfected everything for us. He answered any questions we had about our system. He actually discovered loose roof shingles that he told us about and didn't have to. They inspected the outside of the chimney as well . I was very grateful and very pleased with that.

Professional. Did work as promised and on time. Final costs matched estimate to the penny. Estimate was in the middle range of other four estimates. Would use again and recommend to all!

Walter was very personable and punctual. He returned my phone calls and was available within a few days. He quoted a full chimney cleaning price over the phone, but once on the property, only charged me for a service call since the chimney itself didn't need cleaning. He put down a drop cloth to keep soot off the floor and warned me about the noise of a tool. I would definitely recommend Walter!

THE OWNER OF TOP CAT CHIMNEY ARRIVED AT MY HOUSE ON TIME AND WITH AN ASSISTANT. THEY WERE POLITE AND CLEAN AND THEY ANSWERED MY QUESTIONS THOROUGHLY. I WAS VERY SATISFIED.