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Clean Sweeps

Terms & Conditions of work

Pricing:

  • We work on a fixed price system for a standard straight forward sweep.
  • We charge on distance as well as any other work required. We require you to tell us what we are servicing, if for example the fire is too large or excessively sooty it will require more time which we reserve the right to requote.
  • In the event that we encounter a problem (this might, for example, be a blockage or a problem flue) the sweep will advise you in advance of completing any work if there is likely to be any extra charge to be made.
  • If you decide you do not want the sweep to continue with the job, we reserve the right to make a charge to cover our costs including a contribution towards work already undertaken.
 

Payment:

  • During busy times of the year we reserve the right to charge initially for a non-refundable deposit.
  • We take payment via cash, cheque or BACS.
  • Payment is due from time when the job has been completed, unless prior arrangement has been made.
  • We can email an invoice and payment will be required within 7 days. Payments not settled within 7 days may attract a charge of 2% annually above the Bank of England Base Rate.
 

Cancellations:

  • We understand that our customers have busy lives. If you have to change or cancel an appointment please give us as much notice as possible. We have allocated time in our day specifically for you and late notice cancellation may mean that we are unable to offer the appointment to someone else.
  • We reserve the right to charge a cancellation fee of up to 100% of the quoted price in the event that no-one is at home when we attend the property and/or we cannot gain access.
  • We also reserve the right to charge in the event of a last minute cancellation subject to the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.
 

Method of work:

  • It is not possible to sweep a chimney using solely a vacuum cleaner. Brushes (or a rotary power sweeping equipment) must be used.
  • As a minimum we will sweep using the traditional manual “brushes and rods”. We also use rotary power sweeping which we will determine when to use when the flue system can take it.
  • While every care is made to be as clean as possible whilst being as least invasive as possible. However if the appliance requires any sheet or dust isolation equipment must be taped to a painted or treated material, we are not responsible for any paint flaking or cracking on removal.

 

Nests & bird control:

  • We are unable to remove ‘live’ bird’s nests (usually found between April and June when Jackdaws are nesting) as it is illegal to do so (please see RSPB guidelines). If we find a nest in the chimney when we are sweeping we will usually arrange to come back to remove it when it is legal to do so. Please don’t ask us, or any other person, to break the law and remove the nest when it is illegal. We may make a charge for our time if we cannot sweep. This will be credited to your account when we return to remove the nest for you.
 
 

Potential problems:

  • While great care is taken to prevent damage to your property, the sweep cannot be held responsible for badly maintained or deteriorating pots, cowls, chimney stacks, fireplaces or any other part of your chimney. Material information should be disclosed, such as age and type of bird guard or cover, and any known problems.
  • We aim to sweep all types of appliances that burn solid fuel, wood, oil or gas, in residential or commercial premises. We do encounter some problems with woodburning stoves (and sometimes other installations) that have been fitted without provision for sweeping. Worse, some are not ‘legal’ installations and are just plain dangerous. We will do our best to sweep but sometimes we will be unable to undertake the job, leaving you with the best advice we can offer to rectify the problem.
  • For the sweeping of Aga and Rayburn flues make sure the appliance is switched off allowing plenty of time (at least 24 hours) to cool down. If we are unable to sweep, as the appliance is too hot, we reserve the right to charge a call out fee.
  • No responsibility can be accepted for chimney problems that occurred during sweeping that were not obvious before the sweep was undertaken or have not been advised to us if known by the customer.
  • We are not responsible for pushing bird guards or cowls off the top of chimney. We take every care when ”push in” bird guards have been fitted however the end of the brush can sometimes push them out. We can advise and quote if we can access the chimney to replace the bird guard with a properly fitting secured cowl however we are to full liable for this.
  • We’ll do our best to advise you and take precautions to prevent damage, but in some instances may recommend remedial work prior to sweeping or ask you to sign a disclaimer to allow us to continue. Please don’t be offended – we’d rather you knew in advance.
  • Stainless steel flue liners are not indestructible. We carry a range of brushes and will use the one most suitable for the job but tar is the enemy of the steel flue and very aggressive cleaning may not be appropriate. We will do our best!
  • We reserve the right to CCTV camera survey and record footage of flue and surrounding areas for any areas we feel may need work.
 

Fitting cages, caps & cowls:

 

  • It is frequently necessary to cross the roof in order to reach the chimney stack. If it can be avoided, we will not use the roof ladder. When we do have to use it we will take every care in placing the ladder to avoid broken tiles and/or guttering. We rely on our customer to advise us if there are any problems already identified with the roof.
  • Some chimney stacks may require an anchor drilling into brickwork to make secure the ladder. We will make the customer aware prior to doing this, and will not carry on the work without permission.
 

Clean Sweeps – A local chimney sweep:

  • We are a local, professional chimney sweeping business and we rely on customers coming back to us year after year. If you like what we do, please tell everyone! If we have disappointed you in any way, please tell us!