ComplaintsforChimney Mechanix

• Initial Complaint

  02/02/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Upon buying my home in 2022 I had Chimney Mechanix come out to clean and inspect my wood stove and wood burning fireplace. I was told minor repairs were needed, but otherwise everything was in good working order. I scheduled the repairs and was told a cleaning was recommended but not necessary at that time (see yellow receipt). One year later I called chimney mechanic to have everything cleaned. I was informed an inspection was required for a cleaning. They employees that came out stated that my wood burning stove and fireplace were in poor condition and required $13,000 in repairs. When I shared my surprise the employee spoke very poorly of the previous employee that came out. He attempted to show me evidence of the need for repairs but was unable to operate the iPad he had been given by his employer.I called Chimney mechanix and asked why there was such a drastic difference with in a year. The women who answered stated the previous employee was no longer with them and they could offer no other explanation or remedy. I had someone else come out for a second opinion and found that the chimney was not properly cleaned by chimney mechanics (see pics) and the work done a year prior was not done properly. They inspector stated I was extremely lucky that we didnt experience a house fire.Chimney mechanix has yet to address any of the issues brought to their attention but has sent numerous invoices.

  

  Business response

  02/09/2024

  Good morning, *****************,
  I want to start out by saying your safety is our #1 priority. We want to reassure you that we did our job to the industry standards, which we require all our technicians to follow. I have attached your work orders from 2022 as well as the work orders for this year. We have never once swept your chimney. We have only performed level 1 inspections at your property. I have also attached a document that clarifies what is all included in the different levels of inspections. The first technician we sent out did perform a level 1 up to standards. The technicians we sent out in November performed a more in-depth inspection than the first technician did, but it was still within the scope of an inspection not a sweep. That is why we were able to find the issues with your chimney and unit. If you open the inspection document, you will see that nowhere in the document does it require us to run a camera through your system. This is something that we have since started requiring our technicians to do. If we would have performed a sweep and inspection at your property, we most definitely would have removed all the debris and soot that was discovered by the other company.  I do want to reassure you that we are continuously working on training our technicians on all the devices we require them to use to complete their jobs and the standards we expect them to have. We will be sending you a refund for the inspection fee that you paid when *** was out there last year, for $217.00. You will also not owe us anything for this years inspections as well.  

  ****** ********
  General Manager
  Chimney Mechanix

• Initial Complaint

  10/13/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Chimney Mechanix was hire to install a pellet stove chimney. Everything was fine, except they capped the chimney with a open cap. I've been getting birds inside the pellet stove. I tried to contact them to get them to install a screened cap, and they keep giving excuses about how they were already in my area. Said they would call and schedule and never return calls. My new pellet stove is now compromised and may have nesting materials inside that could possibly cause a fire and dangerous to ones health. Something needs to be done or I will take the necessary steps to hold them responsible. This is a damaged value of $2750

  

  Business response

  10/14/2021

  We have been trying to get of ahold of this customer and set up a time to come and install a new cap. He supplied us with all the materials to install the pellet stove. We installed the cap that he provided to us. We had the technician that did the install contact the customer directly to set up a time with him to come and install the cap. The customer told us that this week would not work for him as he was not going to be home and that he wanted to be there when we were there. We have been trying to find a time that works for both parties involved. The cost of the total install was only $750. The first time the customer contacted us was on Saturday, October 11 via ******** Messenger. I messaged the customer and told him I would get in contact with him on Monday, October 11. He called me before I had a chance to call him, after playing phone tag with him Monday morning he preceded to write a review on our ******** page on Monday, October 11 stating that no one was returning his phone calls. We were trying to get ahold of him as well as responded to his review. At this point in time he has been called, talked to, messaged, and we are actively trying to find a time to install this cap. He has now put in a complaint with the BBB as well as commenting on his review on the ******** page "Chimney Mechanix Fix the problem and I'll go away. Ignore the problem and it's gonna cost you." We will be trying again to get ahold of him today to get this cap installed.

  Customer response

  10/14/2021

  The information they have provided is lies. I called them and gave them my phone number. They used their own materials. My materials were returned back to Menards for a refund. I tried to setup a scheduled appointment and they refuse to schedule. This is by no means resolved. I'll see you in Small Claims Court. Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  [Please type your response here.]
  
  Regards,
  
  *******************

  

  Business response

  10/14/2021

  Good evening,

   

  I spoke with **** earlier this afternoon and we had a technician on the way there to address his concerns. Late afternoon I spoke with the technician that went to the property. As far as I know this issue has been resolved. We installed a screen onto his cap at no charge to him to prevent birds from getting in. Per the conversation that I had with the technician regarding the situation not only did we install the screen but we are currently working on a quote for other work that **** needs to have completed.

   

  Thank you!

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩