Winter May have Finally Arrived In NJ! Did you wait to have your Chimney serviced?

Nov. 25, 2009 - PRLog -- When hiring a Chimney Contractor you will be well served to follow a few simple rules.
1. Do some homework.
Obviously you are internet savvy or you would not be reading this. There is endless information about home repair in general as well as information specific to Chimneys. Get some basic information under your belt prior to calling anyone. This way you will have some idea about what a Chimney Contractor may be telling you about your chimney.
2. Trust your gut.
If walks like a duck and quacks, its a duck. If a contractor shows up to your home invited or not and you fell uneasy or uncomfortable, take his estimate thank him for his time and show him to the door and even watch him leave. The home improvement industry is full of Scam artists, Con artists and flat out thieves.
3. Get Several Quotes.
This is vital. If one contractor is making a recommendations see what another contractor has to say. More importantly, do not advise the new contractor of anything you were told by the previous. This increases your chances of getting a honest quote by a factor of at least 10 trust me.
4. Check out any contractor you think you may do business with.
If He claims to be CSIA certified, Go to the CSIA Website and Make sure. There are roughly 1,800 Chimney Professionals in the state of NJ. One half of them claim to be Certified by the Chimney Safety institute of America less than 5% actually are. More importantly Because his ad says or he claims to be insured check it out better yet ask to be additionally insured. Again do some homework. Check out the company with the Better Business Bureau, Consumer affairs, ask for references.
5. Call your Towns Construction or Code official.
Make sure the work being done does not require a Permit. If a contractor prescribes work and performs work without the proper permits chances are he is unlicensed and can not acquire one. also if a contractor asks you to get the permit that he is either sloppy, lazy or again unlicensed.  

These Five simple rules can save Thousands of dollars and dozens of sleepless nights.

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Specializing in: Chimneys, Roofs, Gutters and Masonry. 24/7 Emergency Service available. 1 (877) 319-1222 toll free. Servicing all of Central and Northern New Jersey