HANCOCK CHIMNEY SERVICE

BEWARE!!!! WOOD STOVE ENTHUSIASTS... After a long search in my area for an installer of a wood burning stove (purchased from a well known company) I found Hancock Chimney Service. All of the other companies would not install due to the fact the stove was not purchased from them.. Hancock would. Hancock Chimney charged $99 off the bat to come take a look, then they would send a quote. If I ok-ed this, the $99 would be taken off the total, otherwise you were out of luck - basically locked in. I was quoted $6,000. High end from my research. With obviously wanting the stove, I agreed to have them install. End of October 2022 was set for installation. They had called for the stove manual to be sent before installation, so it was HAND DELIVERED to them. Installation date was approaching and after many attempts to reach the installer to go over what I needed and when to expect the installer, I finally received a call TWO days beforehand. The installer ASSURED the 2 pieces I did not have (hearth & stove board) would not hold up the job. Morning of installation came and the two installers spent half the day measuring where to place the stove and looking in boxes of parts. They informed me that unforeseen parts were needed (couple elbows & straps). They were going to pick them up and return the next morning business as usual and get this thing installed!!! The office called the next morning.... $1,700 ADDITIONAL CHARGE, for the few pieces. That was the end of this disaster. Classic bait and switch.... To make this even more of a scam, they sent an invoice for $1,400??? W** Having worked hard for a living, I understand paying the two workers for their time. But that is just unreasonable for what "labor" they did do (approx. 6 hours). They really expected me to pay a total of $1,499 for an incomplete job and a run-around. UNPROFESSIONAL! Shady company. Look elsewhere. Van I. Rockford, MI

Installation team was fine. We were quoted a price for the fireplace screen, but then told there would be an additional $300.00 charge. When I complained, they took the additional charge down to $75. I DO NOT like unexpected fees! When we visited them to look at some screens, the very nice lady who had helped us met us and showed us what they had and was looking for something closer to what we were looking for. As she was helping us, and old lady came from the back and sharply criticized the lady who had helped us. We were embarrassed for the kind lady who had helped us. We decided to purchase the screen at another company.

The two man crew showed up at the designated time and immediately began working. They used tarps and floor coverings to protect the carpet. They did a visual inspection of the chimney, both inside and outside. Using a camera, they took photos of the interior of the fireplace, flue, and exterior masonry. They pointed out areas of concern and provided a written report that included the pictures. They also gave me a written estimate for the repairs. The inspection fee is credited toward the repair total, if Hancock does the work. After we purchased the home, we did schedule the chimney repair which included sealing up some cracks and several points where moisture was getting in. The inspection fee was credited. Overall, very professional, prompt, and straightforward with pricing.

Quote received for replacement of full fireplace, as no replacement part available due to age of house/chimney. We decided not to utilize them due to cost, even though this would have been an insurance repair. We had to follow up to see why only quote was for full fireplace replacement, rather than just chimney repair -- this should have been explained as possible option during service call (we understood they would have to research possibility of repair/replace, but we understood replace to be chimney only).

Great. I appreciated getting to watch the video monitor while they did the inspection because I find that sort of thing very interesting. They were early, very professional, covered the area up with drop cloths and left everything nice and clean.

well, but impossible to evaluate quality of work

Waste of money-I needed the gas fireplace looked at as well as the chimney. They did not look at the fireplace at all. The only thing I took away from the experience is the camera that they used to see inside the chimney. That was neat to see. Also only told me one way to fix my chimney so I was not happy about that either. I was told my chimney was clean so I was charge $199 to look at 2 chimneys. I could have done everything they did besides the camera.

They were very efficient and nice. I was even running late getting out of work and very grateful they agreed to wait for me to arrive.

Some confusion about the appointment time, but representative professional and friendly. No mess

I contact Hancock to come and do an inspection / sweep of my two chimneys (as that is what I thought it would take to be able to use them). They sent two guys out who were very nice and respectful of my home and not making a mess. They went directly to both of the chimneys and didn't wander around or make me feel uncomfortable in any way. They set up cloth streamers from the door to the chimneys as to not track anything on my floors which was unexpected and nice. Then they set up their camera to inspect each chimney and showed me a live display of what they were looking and explaining any issues they saw. After both inspections were done they explained what it would take to fix the chimneys. For one they said it would take them installing a new flute and the cost would be approximately $2100 for the chimney that was straight. The other one they said they would need to install a liner and something else and the chimney had a bend in it so the process would be more difficult and cost around $8000. They ended up not sweeping either chimney as they said it was pretty much useless to do so as they highly recommend not using either chimney until fixes are made. So instead of the $300 quote to sweep and inspect the chimneys, I ended up paying $200 for an inspection of them instead. I personally don't have experience to say whether their inspections are accurate, I will say that it DID look like the insides of the chimneys were indeed bad as far as black soot and large cracks. I also don't know if the price of the repairs is high or low, but I was a bit disappointed that it cost $200 and I can't use either chimney. I also don't know how much work goes into either repair they quoted me on so I can't comment on if that is a good price or not. They also came back a few days later and did a rooftop inspection and quoted me for things like repairing the chimney top and covering it from rain etc getting inside. Which was another $400-500. Overall though the workers seemed nice, honest, and respectful, and if I had choose to do more chimney business I will most likely contact them first.

Earl and Chris arrived exactly on time and completed the work in about an hour. The chimney was swept and an inspection was completed (by inserting a camera up the chimney). Drop clothes were laid around the area and vacuums collected all soot or dust. Not one piece of soot or dust touched any furniture or carpet. After the job Earl explained everything and provided additional information (pamphlets) on my type of chimney as well as general fireplace safety. Price was exactly as estimated from the folks in the office. Will definitely use again and ask for Earl by name. Super professional, efficient, and friendly. Highly recommended.

I found them on Angie’s List. What stood out about the company is that they were able to show me what was wrong with a camera, so I could see what they were seeing. They are a little bit high but I did get what I asked for, so I am not complaining.

The repair estimate was pretty expensive. It wasn't in my budget. I think they did a very good job. I was very satisfied. They did a very professional looking quote. I haven't had anybody else quoted. I don't know if it's a competitive price or not. They were friendly. They took time to explain everything. I don't think they're the cheapest guys out there. They came right on time. I would absolutely use them in the future.

As far as the work itself, they did a very good job. The office scheduling was very confusing. They rescheduled us 3 times. We would have a date that they gave us, then it was no... we don't have you scheduled that day. One time they had to reschedule us due to rain, but put us down on the list because they were booked. That was a little crazy, but the guys did a really good job on fixing and replacing the chimney cap. They wrote us a quote, which we accepted, but didn't state we had to put down $500 for the custom cap that had to be built. I asked that they give us another quote with that added, and they got that right out. Once that was signed and returned, we were good to go. Was very happy with the outcome.

They are very expensive and must think they are the only chimney people in town. They charged us to inspect our chimney so they can give us an outrageous Quote on repairs. We paid for the inspection and sent them on their way. WAY TOO expensive. There repair estimate was over 3 times the price of another highly rated Angie List company.

After reviewing the disrepair first hand Jason explained mandated codes that had to be met since the entire crown was missing and chimney had to have mason work done to meet height requirements to meet code. This gave both my family and myself piece of mind that he was as knowledgeable as he was with code and different avenues to again get our chimney back on track. Jason also made suggestion to construct our fireplace to provide the most energy efficient heat output to save on monies spent with the gas company. My family and I were thoroughly impressed with this service and would recommend this company to anyone looking for a honest knowledgeable group of professionals.

Everything went fine. More detailed with cleaning than with previous companies.

I called Hancock and the women who answered the phone told me they would send someone out to look at it to give me an estimate on the cost to repair it and leave a copy of the estimate. After almost a month I received a letter from the company yesterday regarding my request. The letter informed me that they were "implementing a new system for chimney evaluation/inspections". The cost to come "look" at chimney to determine the cost of fixing the mortar would be $179. I guess the woman who answered the phone was unaware of this "new system". What is even crazier is that at the time of my call, the firm had "free estimate" language all over their website (which has now been removed).

Very thorough and also had high tech camera views up our chimney. Very nice and knowledgeable crew.

cleaned 2 chimneys; some mortar repair |They do excellent work.

Nice people. Didn't identify anything that was a major issue and gave us quotes for fixing the minor things in case we want to do those someday.

He and his crew did the repair quickly. I wish he had provided me a picture of the results because I cannot climb on the roof to check the work.

I contacted them initially just to attach a wood stove I had recently purchased to replace an old one and to sweep the chimney. This included a camera inspection of the chimney which revealed that there had been a sudden heat event (chimney fire) that had cracked all of the flue tiles. Consequently the chimney needed relining that I had them do also. They were very professional covering the floors and area surrounding the stove & chimney with tarps. They returned to do the relining and attach the stove. That evening after they were gone I found I was unhappy with the placement of the stove. I contacted them and they returned within a day altered the brick firewall and re-positioned the stove for no additional charge. This to me is outstanding. I'd give them an A+.

Took a look at the chimney and gave me the quote that I asked for.

My original review was posted to the wrong provider. We had an estimate only from Hankock, and though we did not use them due to cost, they were polite, helpful,make we were satisfied. I apologize for the initial review which was an error and was not Hancock. I don't see an option to remove a review, just edit.