We're SAVING YOU MONEY on something you'll soon need to use: your chimney. Chimney scams are common this time of year, with less reputable people soliciting door to door. According to Angie's List, a national consumer ratings website, they'll offer really low prices then pressure you into an expensive repair. If you are venting a wood burning or gas fireplace, or a wood stove through your chimney, yes, you should have it inspected for things like creosote build up which can start a fire, but you shouldn't spend over about $150 to have it cleaned. Homeowner Gary Coffman found out the hard way how important it is to find a reputable chimney professional.

"Well, I learned that you can't go by someone with a fancy website, a fake address, a fake insurance certificate and fake references," says Coffman. "If anything, people need to look beyond that and make sure that the company you are dealing with is indeed a reputable company."

Angie's List says only hire someone with certification by the Chimney Institute of America, and make sure they're insured and bonded. Also, if the contractor says you need repairs, ask them to show you a picture or video of the problem inside your chimney.

"On the inside of the fire box the mortar joints start to wear away and those will need to be re-tuckpointed," says Chimney Sweep Contractor Dave Clift. "That's a repair that you may have to do depending on the use of the fireplace maybe every 5-7 years."

You should get multiple estimates. Avoiding fly by night companies doesn't mean you should avoid getting your chimney inspected each year. Coming up Thursday: pet insurance: to buy or not to buy? We'll answer that on FOX17 NEWS in HD.
Chimney Scams