United Chimney Corporation

Called for a chimney sweep because I thought there was some feedback coming from my water heater - the people came and looked at my Chimney setup for about 30 seconds and wrote out a $2000 estimate to replace lining and change the pitch of the chimney. I called someone else my friend recommended, he fixed the issue in 20 minutes for the cost of a chimney sweep. They are either incompetent or dishonest more

I had leak in my chimney in Dec 2010. Called around, most companies could not fix it because temperature was below 32 F. United chimney claim they had special cement and could handle the job. I was informed I have to put new cap on the chimney or it would not work. Hired them. They came did the job. Charged $449, but offered me discount of $300 if I pay cash. I did.\r \r Less than one year later, the chimney leak again. I guess their special cement did not work. Because it's under warranty, I called them again. Made appointment.\r \r 1st appt: 7 - 10 am. Did not show up. Excuses were unexpected delay in previous job site, and new hired employee misplaced paperwork. But was told they are on their way and I was the next customer. \r 2nd appt:10- 12:30. Failed to show up again. No reason was given.\r 3rd appt: 4:30 - 6:00. Failed to show up again, excuse was traffic.\r 4th appt: 7-10 am. Showed up, excuse was traffic. Told me their work is fine. The leak in the form of water drop in my chimney is mysterious, gave me a list of other things I can hire them to fix. Why I am surprised? \r \r I wish I had read other people's reviews. Lesson learnt, I need to do my homework before hiring. But I appreciate all of you put your experience out. If we all do that, we will be able to protect each other.\r \r Final recommendation: stay away. more

We need a new flue and liner for our second fireplace, and United Chimney gave us a window of four hours for an estimate visit. When they didn't show up I called and they said they would be at least two more hours, then they didn't show up again. I called and told them to forget it. They called a few weeks later asking for another chance, they promised an early morning first thing appointment between 8 and 10 a.m. 10 a.m. arrived, no show. They called a little after 10 to say they were delayed, I told them to forget it. If your time and keeping promises matter to you, don't deal with these people. more

I really wish I saw these reviews before hiring them. I ALWAYS go through Service Magic to find companies to hire for home improvements. They were highly rated. Service Magic dropped the ball on this one. Appointment 1: I hired them to clean my chimney. I was also interested in an estimate to line my chimney and have the lining attach to my wood burning stove which sits at my fireplace. After arriving a hour beyond the 4 hour window given, they gave me an estimate that felt was fair. So I paid the deposit and was told that ""the office"" would call me to make an appointment to get the work done. After 2 days of no one calling, I called them to schedule appointment 2. Appointment 2: They arrive over 2 hours late only to tell me that that can't do anything today due to rain. Meanwhile ""the office"" said that they can work in the rain and that it would be fine. No work done & wait for ""the office"" to make another appointment. Appointment 3: One hour late. Once they arrive, I was informed that A CHIMNEY COMPANY needed to borrow my ladder to get on the roof! WHAT? Then they had to borrow my safety goggles. After ""working for about an hour in the chimney, they inform me that they didn't bring the right tool for the job. Basically they needed to knock out some tiles in the chimney to make room for the lining. Why couldn't they get the tool that they needed from ""the office""? Because it was too far away. Oh in addition to this, The manager that was on location informed me that it's difficult because ""the office"" sent a new hire with him to help. The new hire NEVER worked on a chimney before. Wait for appointment 4. Appointment 4: They show up 90 minutes late (no calls). The tech is ""so sorry"" for all of the delays and blames ""the office"" for not giving him the tools needed to get the job done. He also complains about the helper from the last appointment not having a clue. Oh, and by the way, ""can I borrow 2 D batteries""? His flashlight was dead. Really? Another hour of ""working"" only to be informed that the tool that knocks out the tiles broke and now he needs a jackhammer. OK, go get it. Oh, that's right, the office is too far. Wait for appointment 5. Appointment 5: After not hearing from ""the office"" for 2 days, I called them to complain about the lack of work and excuses. In the end, they told me that the original tech is now off the job because they now feel (after 4 appointments) that this job is beyond his skills. They're sending their ""HEAD TECH"" first thing in the morning (between 7am and 10am). 10:30am- I call ""the office"" because no one has arrived. I was first told that the ""HEAD TECH"" had an emergency job to go to and that he was coming to me ASAP. I lost it. Wanted my $1000 deposit back. Lost all faith in them being able to do the job. I NEVER get angry. And if I do get angry, I don't raise my voice. Well all that went right out the window. After yelling for about 5 minutes, I was told by another manager at ""the office"" that my appointment was scheduled for 12-3pm. More screaming on my part. To make a long story long, they didn't agree to give my non-refundable deposit back (OK fine). But they did guarantee me that the job will be done today or all of my money back. Well, the crew arrives at 12pm (2 hours late) and has been working for almost 2 hours. It seems as if this crew has a clue as to what they're doing. I can only hope that they finish this job and do it right. I will never use them again and I will tell everyone that I know to STAY AWAY! more

I called United to come to sweep my chimney. When they go there the tech told me that my chimney needed to be rebuilt from the rooftop up. They wanted to charge me $3500 for the job. The tech was an incompetent person who did not know what he was doing. He tried to help me get my duct work in the boiler room up to code and he could not do that. I eventually informed the tech that I was getting other estimates for the job he insisted I needed. He was flipping out because I was calling him a liar by having another set of eyes look at my chimney. He eventually came to me and informed me that the company was recalling him. Leaving me with a HUGE hole in my wall in the basement and PSE&G waiting outside because I was in the middle of a Oil to gas conversion. I ended up paying another company $1200 for a new liner which was all I needed. The new company was very professional and had the job done in under 2 hours. I then was called by the tech yelling at me for something I did not do screaming at me threatening me and my family. I asked the tech to not call me anymore or come near my family or my home. I had to call United back to complain about the tech telling them he was incompetent jerk and informed them of the phone call I received. \r \r Long story short DON'T use this company as they are liars and cheats. They wanted to charge me $3500 for a job that was not needed. They insisted this MUST be done NOW because the chimney will fall down without intervention. The chimney after inspection by 4 other companies needs re-pointing and some masonry work but, NOT A REBUILD.\r \r If you use this company you will be taken advantage of and the job will escalate into thousands more than is needed. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! more

Gave a two hour window and never showed. After an hour and 15 minutes past their window, I called for status. They said ""it's still going to be a while."" Completely unconcerned about the delay. Guy never apologized. Don't waste your time. more

United failed to show up for 5 appointments in a row! Then they had the gall to become angry on the phone when their truck showed up 4 hours late, and nobody was here! I can't believe this company is still in business! Between the rudeness of the employees and the sheer lack of concern for home safety, I would rate United Chimney far into the negative spectrum of any rating system available to mankind. Please look into any other available options before you subject yourself to the agony that United Chimney is sure to provide. Pros: few Cons: poor work, wasted time waiting for crew more