Hallmark Chimney Sweeps

Hallmark Chimney Sweeps is one of the most unprofessional companies I've ever encountered. They can't keep track of their appointments or jobs performed, they deposited a $50 check as $500, performed shoddy repair work that didn't hold up as promised, didn't mention our chimeny was not up to code on the inspection, and their chimney sweep was too busy espousing Hitler instead of actually doing work. Last summer, my husband and I were in escrow for a home, and the home inspector recommended Hallmark. Considering this company came recommended and was family-owned, we made an appointment. When I called the company, I got ahold of Betty, and requested an inspection since we were in escrow. Betty assured me this was a standard request and said she would send her son Dale out for the appointment. Our buyer's agent handled the inspection, and afterwards, I received Hallmark's report from Betty. The inspection was $50, and the report mentioned that two repairs would be needed to patch some rust in the bottom of the fire box, as well as to repair gaps in the thimble to prevent leaks. The report made no mention of that there were any other issues, and estimated repairs would cost $180 plus $139 for cleaning. I sent a check for $50, and it was deposited by Hallmark within a few days. However, Betty called me several times after I paid for the inspection, telling me I still owed her an additional $319. She claimed that Dale had "performed the repairs and cleaning." I explained that a.) I had only booked an inspection since I did not own the home, and I wouldn't have ordered repairs or cleaning until after close of escrow. Eventually, Betty admitted she was confused and I didn't owe anything more. I had some trepidation about Hallmark but figured it was an honest mistake. After escrow closed, I called Hallmark back and spoke with Betty again, booking an appointment for Dale to return to repair and sweep. She confirmed and set the date, and even chuckled that Dale would tell me everything I wanted to know about chimneys. Three weeks later, my husband and I drove two hours to our house for the appointment, as we had not yet moved in. Dale arrived, but was late, and instead of doing work, chatted away incessantly. For nearly 45 minutes he blathered on about "the Russians," "the Chinese," and the ancient Romans. I was finally able to get a word in and asked when he would start with the process, as I was eager to learn how to burn clean and prevent creosote build-up. Dale replied, "Oh! I don't have any of the necessary equipment to do this today!" He then continued talking and not working. I immediately called Betty and explained that Dale did not bring any of the items needed for the appointment and could not perform the work he was scheduled to do. She acted nonchalant and suggested we could re-schedule for the next day. She did not apologize for the baffling fact that Dale had driven 40 miles and was completely unprepared and unable to perform any services. I was upset, but needed the work done and agreed that he return the following day. As I escorted Dale to his truck, he continued discussing world political systems, when he stated, "Hitler had some amazing ideas, and really would have been just fine implementing them, except that the state had rejected his Final Solution!" I was floored. I did not want to do business with Hallmark anymore -- Dale's advocation for the Nazi of all Nazis was reason enough not to use Hallmark's services. I called several companies and tried to find anyone who would match Hallmark's rates or schedule, but none came close. My husband and I begrudgingly decided to keep our appointment with Dale and then never use this company again. The next day I made myself absent in the basement, while my husband was present for Dale's work. Dale filled the bottom of the fire box with cement to "patch" the rust from the leak, and to prevent future leaks. He then repaired the thimble and sealed it to prevent leaks from the thimble. He apparently cleaned as well, the whole time discussed anything but chimneys or repair work, often tangentializing and stopping his work entirely for long periods of time. Mind you, he does not converse *with* you, but merely talks *at* you. And if you're not present, he talks to himself. I watched him when he was alone, and he just talked by himself. (And we never learned a thing about chimneys or clean burning as promised. Additional bummer.) Afterwards, my husband and I thought all was well until Betty cashed my check at her ATM -- she added an extra zero to the end of the total amount, thus depleting my checking account for a full eight days until I could get our banks to issue a refund. It was part of a disappointing but unsurprising end to this business transaction. Since Dale's cleaning, our fire box spewed smoke into the house, smelled badly when we lit a fire, and leaked around the stack and in the chimney -- places he repaired and examined originally. When we called a competitor to have another inspection, they explained that the firebox, thimble, and stack were all dangerously not up to code -- observations Dale should have observed in his original inspection, yet failed to mention. The company also noted that Dale's repair work was not satisfactory, and he used the wrong kind of cement in the bottom of the firebox. None of his repairs worked. Now, we have a chimney that we cannot use at all, and are out $369.00. We are utterly unhappy with the services provided and would not recommend this company to anyone.

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