PRICING
1. Our pricing is based on a standard sweep or job. The quoted price for each appliance includes a 2-hour time slot. 2. To determine the core price, we rely on you to provide accurate information about the chimney or fireplace being swept. If there are any undisclosed issues or if the fireplace is larger than average, we reserve the right to adjust the quote upon arrival. You have the option to decline the service at that point. 3. If we encounter any problems during the sweep, such as blockages or flue issues, the sweep will inform you in advance about any additional charges. These charges will be billed at a rate of £10 per each additional quarter hour, or part thereof. 4. In the event that you decide to cancel the job while it is in progress, we reserve the right to charge for the work already done and cover our associated costs. CANCELLATION 5. If you need to change or cancel an appointment, please provide us with at least 24 hours' notice. We allocate specific time slots for our customers, and short-notice cancellations may prevent us from offering the appointment to someone else. 6. Late cancellations (less than 24 hours' notice) may be subject to a cancellation fee in accordance with the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013. 7. If we arrive at the property and nobody is home or we are unable to gain access, we reserve the right to charge a cancellation fee of up to 100% of the quoted price. PAYMENT 8. Payment is due upon completion of the service, unless alternative arrangements have been made in advance. 9. We offer various payment options: - Cash or cheque payable to Stepan Chimney Sweep. - BACS (bank transfer) details will be provided at the time of service. - We accept most major debit or credit cards. - If agreed upon before your appointment, we can email an invoice, and payment will be required within 7 days. Payments not settled within 7 days may incur a charge of 2% annually above the Bank of England Base Rate. SWEEPING METHOD 10. We utilise Rodtech's professional rotary power sweeping equipment, ensuring a more thorough cleaning compared to traditional methods. 11. To prevent any mess during sweeping, we always use an industrial vacuum cleaner and sheeting methods. NESTS OR BLOCKAGES 12. It is illegal to remove live bird's nests (usually found between April and June during nesting season). If we come across a nest while sweeping, we will schedule a return visit to remove it legally. Please refrain from requesting or engaging in any illegal activities related to nest removal. In such cases, we may charge for our time. The charge will be credited to your account when we return to remove the nest. POTENTIAL PROBLEMS 13. While we take great care to avoid damage, we cannot be held responsible for poorly maintained or deteriorating chimney components, including pots, cowls, chimney stacks, fireplaces, or any other part of your chimney. It is important to provide relevant information, such as the age and type of bird guard or cover, as well as any known issues. |
14. We cannot be held responsible for chimney problems that were not evident before the sweep or if they were not disclosed to us by the customer.
15. We will do our best to advise you and take precautions to prevent damage. In certain cases, we may recommend necessary repairs or request that you sign a disclaimer before proceeding. Please understand that this is to ensure your safety and the integrity of your chimney. 16. We strive to sweep all types of appliances burning solid fuel, wood, oil, or gas in residential or commercial properties. However, we occasionally encounter issues with woodburning stoves or other installations that do not allow for proper sweeping. In such instances, we may be unable to complete the job and will provide you with the best advice to rectify the problem. 17. Stainless steel flue liners are durable but not indestructible. We have a range of brushes and will use the most appropriate one for the job. However, aggressive cleaning may not be suitable due to the corrosive nature of tar on steel flues. We will do our best to clean effectively while considering the flue's condition. 18. For sweeping Aga and Rayburn flues, please ensure the appliance is switched off and allowed to cool down for at least 24 hours before our visit. If we are unable to perform the sweep due to excessive heat, we reserve the right to charge a call-out fee. CERTIFICATES OF SWEEPING 19. Some insurance companies may require a certificate of sweeping for your chimney. We are happy to provide a certificate for every chimney we service, and we retain the details on file for your convenience. 20. Please note that the certificate does not guarantee the safety of your chimney, as it does not involve a comprehensive inspection or integrity testing. If you have concerns or encounter any problems, additional inspections can be arranged separately. The certificate simply confirms that we have conducted a thorough sweep, removing as much soot and debris as possible. FITTING CAGES, CAPS & COWLS 21. In cases where accessing the chimney stack requires crossing the roof, we will make every effort to avoid using the roof ladder. However, if its use becomes necessary, we will take utmost care to prevent damage to tiles or guttering. Please inform us if there are any known issues with the roof. WEATHER 22. When working outdoors, such as fitting cages, caps, or cowls, the feasibility of the task depends on suitable weather conditions for working on ladders. In adverse weather, we may need to postpone the work, but we will reschedule as soon as possible. PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP 23. We will only contact you after an agreement or request has been made to do so. 24. To provide an excellent customer experience, we utilise Digital Sweeps, a leading customer management system. This software automatically sends appointment confirmations, certificates, invoices/receipts, reminders, and updates via email. It ensures compliance with GDPR regulations. Rest assured, we will not share or sell your data. 25. As a local professional chimney sweeping business, we value your continued support. If you are satisfied with our services, please recommend us to others. If you have any concerns or feedback, please let us know. We strive to continuously improve our service based on customer input. |