ComplaintsforFlameMaster Chimney Sweep LLC

• Initial Complaint

  11/29/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  August 7th, 2023, we contracted *************** to remove an old stove and to install a new wood stove. He required a large *** up front for supplies. He removed the wood stove, took the chimney without asking and made money on it giving it to his metal guy. October 23, scheduled for install of new chimney. (My husband, a friend, my ******* painfully moved the wood stove from garage into our home and set it right in place for install, despite paying him to do that) He showed up on October 23rd and said he was missing a part and it would be here in 2 weeks. He also said his back was bothering him so glad the stove was there. 2 weeks passed and no response on product arrival. Then, about once a week we got a vague message with Demands for a response that he will call us, No calls. Fast forward, The parts should be here and this should be installed. He is not responding to demands to see the tracking number to understand what exact parts are missing and truly when things were ordered. He swears he ordered all the parts August 7th week (when the deposit was paid), but he will not show us the order. Now November 29th and he will not respond to any texts. I just saw 2 complaints on ****** in the last month with the same exact issues. We have demanded a refund minus the work he did do (Removal) and to return our chimney that was taken. He states he will call us but never does. This is both legal and civil at this point. We just want our money back and we will find someone we can trust to do the work. The lack of communication is infuriating. I understand things happen, but the dishonesty and excuses are now leading us to pay electric bills all winter without our wood stove. we live on land and have all the wood we need, and should not have to run heat this winter.. but now, we are out over 5K and the electric bills are up. its going to be well over 7K in damages when this is done. His business needs to come under investigation as clearly I am not alone.

• Initial Complaint

  11/26/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I had a chimney fire on December 2, 2022. My restoration company planned to hire someone who wasn't certified by CSIA or anyone else nor licensed by the state (********) or county (Teller).I found *************** at FlameMasters who is CSIA-certified and licensed by the state and county. He inspected the chimney. He said once he got started, it would take 2-3 weeks to complete. That was in late June. He wouldn't tell me the amount he needed to start. I was anxious to get back into my house, so on July 13, 2023, I paid him in full.Before I paid him, he was attentive. Now when I call, I always get his voicemail, and he doesn't return my calls or respond to my many texts.I spoke to him on October 6. He hadn't ordered the stacked stone or corner pieces to rebuild the hearth. I dont know if he has any other materials needed to complete the chimney repairs.On Thursday, November 2, he spoke to the restoration company, *****************. I spoke to him later that day. They say they told him he needed to be done by November 17 so the drywall contractor could start their work on December 20 so the flooring could be installed. Nothing else can be done until the fireplace work is complete.I believe he no longer has the money I paid him to do the job. I communicated this to him. He replied, "I have it covered." I don't know what that means; only that he refuses to order the tiles and finish the job. I texted him that I am sending this email to you and the ***** ******** SoS, and Teller County to see my options. His response was, "...they'll tell you to talk to me.Cant we just talk?" I hoped it would motivate him. It hasn't.I have talked to him. Each time he gives me an excuse: 1) The supplier keeps pushing the delivery date. 2) He said he was waiting to hear from **** at Unity. 3) Then he pulled his back. 4) He's trying to hire more employees.

  Customer response

  12/21/2024

  Here I would like to update my complaint. I originally said I wanted him to complete the job. I dont trust him to finish the job. I want a full refund of the $14,585.92 I paid him on July 13, 2022. He did some demolition but nothing more. Its taken him 6 months to complete what little he has done. I need to get the job done, and I need that money to pay another company to do it.

• Initial Complaint

  11/17/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  I hired *************** on 9-18-23, to clean woodstove and chimney inspection. He said chimney is bad & I should not use stove. Paid him $4621.03 to buy supplies and install new ************'t seen him since. Lots of reasons why. New chimney sweep company said nothing is wrong with chimney! I am out money, propane cost and time spent with the constant calls and waiting for any response. I have copy of check and lots of text messages sent and received concerning this matter.

  Business response

  12/08/2023

  As far as the inspection report is concerned. I offered to meet *****, the other chimney inspector, and the building inspector at her house so we could conduct another inspection together. Customer emailed back, declining the offer, stating I know I need new pipe...This sounds like perhaps the other inspector may have actually found that the chimney was not safe to use. If I could see the other report, I could go through point by point and offer an opinion as to why there is a difference, if there are any. As far as return of funds goes I have no problem returning them, but I purchased the chimney for her home which constitutes a large portion of those funds. Once I have either sold them on another job, or have enough funds available to write her a check in full, it was my intention to do so. At the point that she has claimed I gave her a report that contained fraudulent information, I figured it was best to let a judge make that determination. My offer still stands.

  Customer response

  12/08/2023

   
  Complaint: 20885577
  
  I am rejecting this response because: until I have my refund in the bank I will not be satisfied. ** was going to meet me 11/17, which didn't happen. Then it was the week of Thanksgiving. Then he would know something 12/4. He owes $20,200, to two other families! I don't think I'll be seeing my money any time soon. Take out a loan and pay your debts.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

• Initial Complaint

  09/12/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  We called FlameMaster Chimney Sweep for an inspection of the exterior of our chimneys. ***************, the owner of Flamemaster Chimney Sweep in ****************, evaluated the exterior of both of our chimneys, took photos, and explained to us that we needed to install 14-Gauge custom built steel case covers on both chimneys. We received a written quote in the total amount of ********. *************** explained that he doesnt build the cases himself but outsourced the work to a subcontractor and therefore required the entire amount before the work order can be placed.We signed the paperwork and paid the full amount by credit card on July 11, 2023. ** told us that it would take approximately 5-6 weeks due to the high demand caused by ongoing rain and hail storms in the area.On August 10, 2023, I reached out to Al, asking if theres any update from the contractor as to when we can expect the installation. He said h*** get back to us. We waited but didnt hear back.There were several communications between August 10 and September 1, with no clear explanation as to why the cases were not installed yet.On September 1, 2023, Al confirmed that according to the subcontractor were are next on his list, so hopefully we will have it late this week, or early the following.By September 8, we still had not heard anything. We called both phone numbers (office and cell phone) and left several messages to call us back immediately. As of right now, September 12, at 4:30pm, we still have not heard back from Flamemaster Chimney Sweep. At this time we dont know whether the cases are actually being built or if this is a scam. With no communication from FlameMaster, at this point we request a full refund so we can get the needed work done by another contractor.

  Business response

  11/28/2023

  H I. I have worked things out with ********. I will be going out to her home on the 8^th of December to install the chase covers. Once I get tjat done she is pulling down the review. This has been a really terrible year and I am working diligently to get these issues resolved. Thanks and have a great day.

  Customer response

  11/30/2023

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me, IF the product will be installed as scheduled. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************************

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