Chimney Cricket

Initially, I was hesitant to use this company based on earlier reviews. However, my interactions with Carmella and Jon on the phone were positive, so I took a chance. I'm glad I did. Jon inspected and cleaned my chimney. He informed me that he was recently hired to manage the Grand Rapids location. Jon came to Chimney Cricket (or Chimnee Cricket, depending on where you see it spelled) from another local well-respected chimney cleaning company (this company has an A rating on Angie's List) to improve Chimney Cricket's services. His first action in his new role was firing ALL of the previous technicians on staff. He openly admitted that the previous staff would not show up for jobs, recommend unneeded repairs, etc. He is dedicated to improving the company's reputation. Jon showed up on time, did the work well, and offered explanations and tips.

Eric was prompt and arrived when he said he would. He did a great job cleaning the firebox. Actually, he did it better than the worker who did it last year. The reason I gave a C grade overall is that AFTER Eric completed the cleaning and reset the soot, grate and logs, he advised me that I should not burn any fires as I needed repairs completed as the firebox was not safe. I think that the time to tell me that would have been before I spent the money to complete the cleaning and inspection. I also had estimates done for tuckpointing on the outside chimney bricks and repairs to the firebox. I decided to go with another company to have the work done.

We had used chimney cricket for several years. Initially, they would schedule an appointment a year in advance during a cleaning. But then they stopped showing up for these appointments and I had to call and reschedule. Now I have called them twice, leaving messages and they have not returned my calls. I am looking for a different company now to clean my chimney.

Workmanship was excellent. The gentleman that was sent to do the job was very courteous. The q job was done in a very clean manner. He was very good explaining all the details and the condition of the chimney, he was very patient and answered all my questions. He was on time and actually called because they had an early opening on the same day which was great.

Scheduled us for a 1 hour window to clean the chimney. The appointment was during the day, so I had to shift my work schedule so I could be home. The end of the 1 hour window rolled around and no one had showed up, nor had I been contacted by anyone. I called their office to see if I was still on the schedule and what the status was. They told me I was on the schedule, for the time I had written down, but the guy that was coming out was running late and that he was supposed to have called me to tell me that. The woman I spoke to also said she's not surprised that he didn't, and made it sound like it was a common issue with that guy, which makes me wonder why he still works there. The guy showed up about 10 minutes after I called their office. He went up on the roof and swept the chimney. He then went down in my basement (where the fireplace is) with a shop vac and some tarps for a bit, came back up, I wrote him a check and he left. I went down to check on the fireplace after he left and found that he hadn't actually cleaned up the fireplace. It was still full of ash and soot and there was still ash laying under the fireplace. It seems like he took his stuff down there and then didn't do anything. Needless to say, I will not be using their services again. I don't mind contractors being late, but I expect some communication from them if that's going to be the case. Plus, I expect them to do their job properly and clean up after themselves.

The lady answering the phone was very professional and we set an appointment. They didn't show, nor call. I called and we rescheduled (I gave them a second chance). Same thing happened. Annoying because I actually arranged to be home from work to meet them.

We first contracted with Chimney Cricket in October 2014 and paid them 50% of the contracted price as a down payment. They were supposed to begin work in November 2014 but delays occurred and the weather worsened. Chris, their sales rep/estimator, was quick to come out for the quote, but slow to respond when it came to arranging to actually start the work; he also often did not answer calls or return voice mail and other messages. Moreover, Chimney Cricket's office started avoiding our calls; they often would not answer a call from our office landline but would respond initially to calls from one of our staff's personal cell phones until they recognized that number and started avoiding answering his calls too. Additionally, they did not seem aware or did not care about OSHA requirements. There are electric power lines close to our building that were supposed to be covered by DTE before work began for worker safety as scaffolding would be in close proximity to these power lines. While we were not aware of this requirement, Chimney Cricket as a licensed contractor should have been. This led to further delays and an additional unbudgeted over $3,100 cost (total project cost over $11,200). When Chimney Cricket finally started the job in April 2015 (5 months after originally scheduled) they only had two workers at any one time and they usually did not show up before 11 AM and many times came after noon; they would usually leave between 3 and 4 PM. We would have to chase after them to make sure that they would show up. As for the work itself, it appears to be generally OK (time will tell), but they did not do a good job cleaning up. We still have mortar on some window sills, face of bricks and spotting on windows. This project was over budget and cost us precious staff time chasing down the contractor. We will never hire Chimney Cricket again.

They came in and were finished in 20 minutes and got almost nothing out of my chimney.

They do a great job. I have used them for many years. They're a good company!

Gave me a quote for 2000 dollars claiming that he will dig a foundation for the brick step on my front porch, Chris asked for 900 dollars for supplies...wouldn't show up for couple of his appointment then sent someone who claimed that he doesn't know Chris personally and he only came to glue the old bricks, was surprised when I mentioned to him that Chris already took 900 dollars for supplies. Chris wouldn answer his phone after that and when i called from different number he said he will refund the money, then he vanished. Tried to call chimney cricket they denied knowing Chris although I get his number through the chimney cricket add from a magazine. When I called the magazine the owner mentioned that Chris hasn't been paying him his add bills and he got more than one complaint from people who hired chimney cricket through his magazine. Now the magazine took him off of their adds. Chris is very unethical and manipulative.

Chim Chimnee never showed up even after we gave them 4 chances. The technician complain to me on the phone about how he would have to leave early because I was an hour away, even though they service Wayne County then on the phone proceeded to tell me how I was being rude because I said, since he missed his fourth appointment window that I did not want their services anymore. they then proceeded to argue with me on the phone and I basically told them that I know many service technicians who keep their appointments even during their busy season or at least call to let us know that they will be late or unable to keep the appointment and would we mind rescheduling. Their technicians never called, they simply never showed up. I do not recommend anyone use the service.

I called Chris about the first of October and he said he was getting busy but would be able to come between 8 AM and Noon the next day, so we waited all morning, no show. He finally showed up later in the day, around 3 PM. He said nothing before beginning work about an increase in fees. There were no problems sweeping the chimney, however, his price had more that doubled since January!! He told us part of the chimney needed replacement because of extensive rust (it is a zero clearance pipe). He claimed that it was practically rusted through, was paper thin and that it needed to be extended to bring it up to code. We paid him $665 that day for the sweep and 1/2 the "needed" repairs. He said that he would be back on Friday 10/3 but I did not hear from him for more than a week, so I called him on 10/10. He did start keeping in touch by telephone after that. He showed up on Wednesday, 10/15 again saying it would be morning but was actually close to 5 PM and claimed "They sent me the wrong size part" as if he hadn't ordered the wrong part. He said he would be back Friday 10/17 in the morning, but he called and told my husband he would be there in 20 minutes. He showed up 3 hours later. I had my husband follow him closely and watch what he was doing. My husband reported that interior of the metal chimney was pristine, while Chris was wiggling into our attic, so we told him not to replace anything that was not in need of repair. I told him, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." and he agreed to knock off $300 from the total. He told us the "rust" needed to be sanded off the chimney when he finished. My husband took a sander to the chimney the next day and reported that what Chris mistook as rust was actually paint over galvanized steel that had begun to peel. We learned, quite incidentally, that he was supposed to be at a friend's home when he showed up at our house! This is a very nice man who has really awful business practices, is disorganized and appears to lack competency.

I was initially pleased; everything seemed to go well, the price seemed fair and the company was prompt. However, several months later I noticed the chimney was leaking inside the house. I called multiple times to have this issue looked at, and heard nothing. I waited, called again, and received no response. I would have been more than fine if attention had been paid to the issue, but I got complete silence. I would not trust this company again.

Time for an update, I am happy to say I can now give this company better grades on everything. The manager who never got anything done for us and mostly never called back has been replaced, and the guy they sent to rectify our issues, Eric, did an excellent job and was very knowledgeable and professional. He was not involved in installing our stove, but I am glad they replaced those people with somebody who knows their stuff. He gave us our stove knob (yes, we finally got one) but more importantly he immediately recognized the chimney cap issues the other guy who didn't know what he was doing did, and he ordered the parts and came back 2 weeks later and fixed it, so as of last week we are very happy customers. We also needed a chimney cleaning and Eric did a great job on that too. Now that they have changed the management and hired people who really know their stuff, we can highly recommend them. Honestly, I am completely and totally exasperated with this company. If you want a really professional job, hire true professionals or do it yourself. If you want a cheaper, adequate job with tons of frustration and loose ends, use this company. The top of 2 bricks on my hearth have digs in it from when they put the stove in, they gave us some bricks, but if we want it repaired we have to do the work or hire somebody. My insert is missing it's knob (they NEVER gave us) and we have tried to get for ALMOST 9 MONTHS now, and they are giving us some lame excuse they can't get the part, it is completely and totally ridiculous. From the start, they were bad, our salesman didn't show up and didn't call for our first appointment and then gave some excuse after we had to call the main office and complain. It only got worse from there, I have been complaining to my husband the entire time, and he keeps trying to deal with them, but even he had enough (finally) when he wanted them to fix up the crappy job they did on chimney cap, and they give us an $8,000.00 estimate to completely re-build our chimney. A. Our chimney does not need to be completely re-built, and that was NOT what we asked for in any way, shape or form and B. If I ever did decide to have my chimney re-built, there is no way on earth I would ever hire this unprofessional company again. I am not too thrilled with Osburn either, the missing knob and the fact that the flashing around the stove is terrible and cheap looking. We have purchased some tiles we are going to install ourselves, or hire a true professional, but we have had enough of these clowns. If you like playing phone tag all the time, getting excuse after excuse after excuse, unprofessional results and taking lots of aspirin, then by all means ignore this review, otherwise, buyer beware.

If you ever want to screw someone, recommend this outfit. They never showed up, called or anything. i called the office and was told they would get back to me not once but twice and never did. These people should be in prison.

Late start. Job not complete as of today Needs to acid wash brick and do some calling between chimney and siding. Final payment with elf until job is complete.

They did a good job. It was a challenge to get a hold of them when they didn't show for the initial appt. so I could reschedule. Something about training new people. I can't remember exactly, since it was last year. I most likely will not use them again.

shed.They came out for an estimate on time. They didn't use a ladder to see the extent of the damage. Instead they just sent me an outrageous quote of $5,300. When I questioned it they offered no explanation and told me that I could go somewhere else if I wished.

The person was very friendly, but I was surprised that a lot of black soot was left in the firebox. The tech person said he uses a wire bush and that is it. Later, I used some spray cleaner and paper towel to remove a lot of black soot. The fire box was much cleaner from what I did. I don't believe the job was worth the money I paid.

They called me the day of the appointment and asked to move the appointment earlier into the day, which I did. I left work early to be home by the appointment and then they did not show up and did not call. It cost me a half a day of vacation!

Chimney Cricket is kind of "fly folks." Their name is under all kinds of things, I think they're listed on Angie's probably five different things but it's all the same company. Their last name Creto, John and Chris. He did do that but he put it in wrong, it rained and it leaked on my chimney. It won't close tight and they didn't fix the mason on a few brick on the floor, all they did was put a tiny coat of what the inspector thinks is a grout like in the shower. The firebox had to be completely redone, the chimney cap needed to be replaced, I can;t stop the rain from coming down the chimney. They don't respond to any contact, the state has contacted them, mediation services; they don't respond to anybody.

First sent an email and had an appointment scheduled within 2 days of my email - GREAT. The appointment was for between 4 and 6 on Friday and at 5, James called to apologize for running late but he would be there at 5:30. Right on cue, James was there to show me what he had available to install. He was also very informative about the options for installing either just a cap or a liner (including costs). As I will be replacing the furnace next year, he explained what I would need if I was going for a high-efficiency furnace and that a liner would be best - save costs and do now or replace later. I said I'm not that green, so he could install just the cap for now. While on the roof, he noticed that the flashing, though sealed, had some opening and that he could reseal that while he was here. He also looked at the other side of the house over the fireplace and noticed the same issue - he took care of that at no additional costs. Very personable person James is and appreciated the quick service.

No Work was performed no call/no show!

I am glad that I checked Angie's list prior to contracting with this firm. My experience was very similar to those of several other reviewers; although I won't be getting to the point of giving them a deposit. | |They had at least two no-shows in the original appointment setting process. When prompted by another call from their scheduler, I did set up an appointment -- and the sales guy actually showed up this time. | |He was actually ok in general, though I did not get the impression that he had a lot of technical expertise. I did receive an estimate but, like a couple of others who came to my house, I did not think I was getting a comprehensive solution for a rather extensive repair. | |The questionable patter of appointment setting, combined with a general lack of confidence in their expertise (I think they just want to sell chimney liners) plus other reviewers' comments has prompted me to look elsewhere -- and I'm glad I did. I found an extremely knowledgeable person who I will review under separate cover (he's the best reviewed in this category, and I completely agree).

It is now 1/6/2014. Chris has not done the job. Despite numerous attempts to find out what was happening, nothing has been done. The last time I talked with him on 11/20/2013, he promised to have the job completed by Thanksgiving. He was going to check on the materials and call me right back. I have not heard from him. We are now filing charges to get our money back.