ComplaintsforChimney Master

• Initial Complaint

  04/05/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  The business owner, Vincent B******** quoted us a price for the installation of a chimney liner. Our oil company told us that we needed one and referred us to ChimneyMaster. Mr. B******* represented himself as licensed and insured and told us he required a deposit on the job in order to order the metal liner. We gave him two deposits, one for $159 at the time of the quote, which he said would be credited back later to the total cost of the job, and another deposit for $800, which he said he needed to pay for the liner. He returned to our property three more times but each time failed to install the liner. He arrived unprepared, without parts that he needed and without a helper who could climb a ladder. On his third visit he stated that our slate chimney cap was in his way and that he needed to remove it. He said he couldn't reinstall it because the bricks that hold it up were too unstable. He said he would order us a metal cap and return to install the liner and metal cap. When he returned he did not have anyone to assist him on the roof since he came back with a helper who can't climb a ladder. He attempted to remove the slate by himself, quickly lost control of it and dropped it on our porch, destroying the bottom step. I asked to see the replacement chimney cap that he had ordered and he admitted he had not ordered one. He had an old used one that he installed instead. He said he wouldn't charge us for it but that he could have "spray painted it with stainless steel paint and we wouldn't have known the difference and he could have charged us." He asked if we could have someone else install the liner since he was unable to do so after multiple attempts. Mr. B******* smelled strongly of alcohol on his last two visits but denied being drunk, stating that he may have beer with lunch but it isn't enough to get him drunk. We asked for our deposit back and said we would get someone else. He said he didn't have the money to be able to return our deposit. We asked for his insurance information so we could file a claim for the deposit and our damaged porch, and he refused to provide it. We continued to ask him over the next couple of days to return our deposit and he refused. We researched him with the state licensing office and were informed that his license had expired in 2021 and that he had other complaints made against him with the state that went unresolved. We have not been able to have our deposit funds returned. The job was never performed. We would like our money back.

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