Master Sweep

Cleaning, caps, and mortar repair on two chimneys

There was some confusion around scheduling and the appointment was moved from morning to afternoon fairly close to the service date, but luckily I had flexibility. There was also some confusion around arrival time but that also worked out fine in the end. Jason and Jeff used a torch to preheat the flue as they vacuumed out the firebox, and then they sent up a chimney brush with a snake to the top of the chimney at the cap. They didn't get on top of the roof to check the cap at all but did assure me that it was a strong type of cap and wouldn't be going anywhere with wind, etc. They also didn't go outside to look at the ash cleanout bin either, which I thought would have been part of the whole clean and inspect deal. Jason found a small crack on the inner left beyond the damper and quoted a fix for that after describing what he saw and the level of risk he was able to assess. He sounded knowledgeable and was very professional in his communication. Also, they left the service site clean which is a great value to me. I had a very bad experience in the past with a company that "cleaned" my chimney resulting in soot on everything in the house which was a huge hassle, so I was nervous about a possible repeat. Not a problem. These guys know what they're doing. I feel confident that Jason really knows what he's doing and uses the best techniques and tools for the job. I'll go to these guys again for future service. Thanks!

I had a great experience with Master Sweep. They were professional, didn't mind my nosey dogs, and Jason even taught me how to put operate my insert and put together a really lovely fire to heat my home. I would recommend them to anyone, and will definitely use them in the future.

Originally I used a deal to have Master Sweep clean my chimney in February 2012. I was impressed with how clean the whole operation was. Previous cleanings by other vendors had been a lot messier and not as well cleaned up. A new chimney cap was recommended to protect the chimney top. We also discussed eventually having the chimney repointed. Again I was impressed because there was no pressure or hard sell. In July we added the new cap and some necessary work was done to repair flashing damaged when some roof work was done by another vendor. The worker was quick, efficient, courteous and helpful in answering my questions. I plan to use them again for the repointing this coming summer. I heartily recommend them.

Service was fine, but with a lot of subjective comments designed to establish repeat visit schedule. I felt the commentary used more scare tactics than useful information.

Cleaned our wood-burning fireplace chimney efficiently with no fuss and minimal disturbance. Cleaned up very well, leaving the fireplace spotless.

We had a few scheduling hiccups but over all service was great

This the third time the service was scheduled but did not show due to lack of time.

The service was very good. They were very efficient, doing about four passes through the chimney, and answered all of my questions. They were right on-time. The workers were articulate and cordial. They did not need to clean the area before they left because they used a soot-vacuum while cleaning the chimney.

They were very professional, quick, answered all the questions I had and suggested quite a few things for the future. I would use them again.

I had a very good experience with them. He kept clear communication and accurately assessed the needs of the job and performed them accordingly.

I found out after purchasing the deal that the chimney in my home had recently been inspected. I therefore no longer needed the service preformed. Overall I was happy with the communication I had received from Master Sweep.

I had a positive experience with Master Sweep. They were prompt, clean, knowledgeable, and willing to answer all my questions. They came in a pair, one person focusing on a detailed inspection and the other doing the sweeping. They were friendly and described their findings in person as well as in a write-up they provided afterward. The write-up included a list of work that I should do to keep my chimney in good shape with quotes for them to do the service. I was impressed with their knowledge and they explained things to me patiently and clearly.

Well. I'm changing my rating of Master Sweep. Saturday 12/13/14 they came out and did the job. We've had a lot of mis- and indirect communication between myself, Master Sweep and Angies list, but finally on Friday 12/12 Emily called and we made arrangements for the sweeps to come out first thing Saturday, 12/12. The sweeps (2 of them) showed up about 15 minutes before I expected them. They left their shoes at the door and worked in their sock - feet to keep from tracking in leaves, not sure that was vital but it was thoughtful. The cleaning job went very fast. They spread a big drop cloth on the floor to keep ashes off the floor as a first step. Then they vacuumed out all the ashes in the woodstove itself. After that they ran a circular brush up the stove pipe. This brush seems to have been battery operated, I'm assuming it rotated up in the chimney. The operator kept the vacuum running to catch any bits that fell from the pipe, and in about 30 minutes, the job was done, they packed up their gear, and were on their way. I have no complaints about their service and will say that this time out their punctuality and responsiveness was up to par with prior services they provided. I intend to call them in the spring for another cleaning, and am assuming that at that time, the communication process will go a lot smoother. So based on Saturdays performance I'm changing their grade to an A because on Saturday everything worked. I'd also like to thank Angie's list for keeping communications open between us. OK, so I purchased this big deal back in October, but told the company we'd be out of town for 3 weeks. They said get in touch then. So I went online Wednesday, first day back in town, and Master Sweep emailed back they'd have someone here first thing Friday (11/21), which was fine with me. This AM (11/20-Thursday) Master Sweep called to remind me they'd be here early Friday. I said fine. Then within an hour (I'd left the house already) they called my wife and said they'd be out between 11:00AM & 1:00PM today. (Thursday). They didn't show up so my wife called shortly after 1PM and left a message saying she couldn't wait any longer, because she had urgent errands. The sweep arrived at 1:30PM, and left us a phone message saying he was at our house, and since we were not home .5 hr after he was supposed to be here, we would have to call the office and reschedule. My wife called the Sweeps @3:20, and left another message, but in the meantime the sweeps office had left a message @2:19 saying, since we were out when their guy showed up (30 minutes late), and they'd given up our originally scheduled appointment for first thing Friday 11/21, the earliest they could schedule us would be the week of December 8th, and we should call them. My wife has called Master Sweep 3 times since listening to that message, @3:20, and we have not received a return call. I really need to get my chimney cleaned, we're having a severe cold snap and I want to use my woodstove. I am going to call them and cancel because of their crappy punctuality. I'm asking Angie's List to return my $97.00, or make Master Sweep return it, and I want their inattention to their schedule publicized as widely as possible, thanks.

Not well. Came to do cleaning and found a repair needed. Scheduled repair and cleaning at another time do to the mess it would cause. Morning of appointment called to say they forgot part so would not come that day. Took weeks for them to reschedule and then could not give a time. Day of appointment running late and was questioning how much the fireplace had been used. Did not remember that they had not cleaned it yet. Took them 20 minutes for repair and cleaning . Worried it was not clean well. Very disappointed.

It went well. He offered to refund our money which is why I am requesting this now since the services were not provided.

Father and son team was great. They called and asked if they could arrive a little early, which was great. They were extremely knowledgable and friendly. Process was quick and my house was kept clean. Highly recommend.

Fast, efficient and straight forward.

They were on time and professional. They are very knowledgeable and explained everything step by step. I would highly recommend.

Jason explained a number of items very carefully. I did notice AFTER he left that he had not filled in the NFPA 211 Level of Inspection Performed and I wonder why he didn't. He recommended some additional work that needs to be done and quoted us costs for it. This is an older home and nothing has been done with the internal parts of the chimney except for cleaning and the last person that cleaned it did NOT tell us about things that needed to be fixed. Master Sweep did and I was glad to hear the explanation that was given. I ask questions that were answered carefully and fully. He did NOT pressure us to have more work done but said he would do it if we wanted. My main concern at the moment is we are connected with UMCmarket through our church and a percentage of the costs come back to our local church when done through Angie's List. I would very much like to have these additional items included..... yet apparently I pay Master Sweep directly? Is there anything that can be done about that. All in all I was VERY PLEASED with Jason's work and professionalism and will hire him again in the future.

Very quick and efficient. We were long due for a cleaning, so it was quite dirty. They answered all my questions and were very helpful.

Fine. Had some communication problems when we had to revise our schedule, but that person was replaced and everything went fine.

They installed a 12x16 flue tile, crown, top mounted the damper and tuck pointed the chimney roof line. I decided to wait on having the counter flashing done til next year, so they caulked both chimneys to hold me over until they could come back. The chimneys look great and I'm especially pleased with the new damper--I didn't have one. I'm looking forward to not feeling that draft from the fireplace this year!

They never followed through on their promise to contact me within two business days for scheduling. I also tried to contact them before I purchased the deal and they were unresponsive.

The woodstove was cleaned. Everything went well after they arrived. The office staff forgot to book my time, so its a good thing that I contacted the owner. He made sure that I was serviced even though ;the appointment did not show on his books