AMERICAN CHIMNEY

Showed up when he said he would be here and came in under estimate quoted. City inspector was impressed by his workmanship.

I am writing this review to bring to others attention the impudent way I was treated and absolute unproficient knowledge Mark Lach at American Chimney has displayed. Including the owner of Country Stove and Patio, Dominque. My family had the misfortune of experiencing fire place issue and due to the amount of damage had to turn this into our insurance company. The Fire Marshal and the Westfield insurance came out to review the issue and damages. For educational purposes to all that have not experienced this, the insurance company will ask for all information regarding the incident including the type of fireplace you purchased, where you purchased it, and who installed it when you make a claim for fire damage. When I called to get my fireplace cleaned and serviced, we called American Chimney Mark Lach as he was who installed it. He must have forgotten who we where because when he came out to our house, he sat in his van talking on the phone. Mark then proceeded to get out and approach me aggressively and indignant. This man then proceeded to point his finger at me telling me what horrible people we are because “we” tried to sue him and Dominque”. My first response was, “who is Dominque”. Apparently, Dominque is who owns Country Stove and Patio where we purchased the fireplace. At this point Mark did not answer and said you know what you did as he is close to me pointing his finger again at me. I informed him that we have never sued anyone or have attempted to sue. I tried to calmly explain that the insurance company may have reached out due to the fire. He then became maddened and left. I was so put off and scared I became concerned an hour later when I heard another vehicle come down my drive. Please be aware that both companies are unaware that insurance companies will complete an investigation when there is any kind of fireplace fire or issue where the home owner needs to file for damages. The insurance company nor my family has ever tried to sue either of the sue these people or their companies. I have the letter stating this in fact from the insurance company. Please be aware if either are selling you or installing your fireplace. Or even a routine cleaning that both are uneducated on how insurance would work if you would ever have an issue involving their services. And please be prepared to have your name slandered and treated with such arrogant disrespect and belligerency.

I called and spoke to someone and told them I needed my wood burning stove removed, moved to my barn, and it capped off. I was told this was no problem and was quoted $250-$350. I asked if someone needed to come out and look at it first and was told no. They didn’t even ask if I could send a picture of it. After being rescheduled 3 yes 3 times! This morning, the morning of my appointment I was asked if I still needed to be serviced. I again made it clear that I did not need anything serviced, but my stove taken out and moved to my barn. Techs came, who were very nice, tried to move my stove and it was too heavy. I was told to hire a mover or something…. They then quoted what it would cost for them to at least cap it for me. The quote was $970!!!!!!! Also that if they could move it it would be something like $1100!!!! So absolutely no service was preformed. They walked in my living room touched the stove. They charged me an “inspection” fee of $89. I fully understand people’s time is valuable but so is mine!!!! I need the stove out for a couch to be delivered, so now I have changed my schedule 3 times because of them in addition to arrangements to get my couch delivered!!!! Only to be told I should hire movers! I tried to keep my business local. This is completely outrageous and unacceptable!!!! If you value your time call someone else!

Mark arrived at 8:30 a m October 8th. From that point on it got ugly. When I asked Mark to show me what it looks like open or closed,he was very rude about it .Stating " you can hear it open and close " . In a condescending tone. In addition to this he went on the roof he came back down he told me that there were two stacks along the chimney that needed to be capped and water can get in them .I asked is there water going in them he said "yeah I just told you that" . In a disrespectful tone. I then asked do you do that kind of repair work he said yes $50 I said ok repair it but please, take before and after pictures. He rolled his eyes,he went up to the chimney I heard him talking to his co worker through the fireplace in my house that this a****** wants five hundred pictures. .Then is ask him to send it to my phone when he comes back into my home.And states when he has time .ok no big deal Then I ask him the cost hes states the price.I didn't hear him clearly. I asked him him again to repeat the cost he then gets frustrated with this.And makes a ugh sound as though I was. bothering him . I then asked what is his warranty on his work he then stated " when you see the tail-lights on my truck leave. For this reason I will never hire him .Mark is very unprofessional disrespectful to women. As a nurse who works third shift this is not what I wanted in my home .I FEEL HE IS DISRESPECTFUL TO WOMEN . HE WOULD NOT SPEAK TO A MAN IN THIS TONE OR MANNER .

Mark and his employee arrived and were very informative and thorough in the cleaning of our chimney and left no mess behind. We are thinking of remodeling our fireplace and he had some great ideas. Would definitely hire American Chimney again.

He came and thoroughly inspected our prefab fireplace from inside and then climbed up on the roof to inspect the chimney. He removed the chimney cap and took out the upper parts of the chimney in order to remove an empty bird nest. He replaced the parts and resealed the cap with wire mesh to prevent birds from entering again. He was on time and worked quickly and efficiently and cleaned up the debris. He took time to discuss what he was doing and the condition of the fireplace and chimney.

Mark did a great job. He and his helper cleaned the chimney and serviced the fireplace insert. When the job was complete, Mark took the time to explain what he did and give me suggestions on how to use the insert more efficiently.

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Service is great!

It went well. They climbed on the roof and did the job. Mark Lach is always professional and has high standards. It is awesome to see a man that still has an excellent work ethic.

I have a wood burning fireplace and he has been terrific. I have to give him another call to do it this year. He is thorough, he is good. I recommend him highly. He is personable, if you want firewood, he knows people where to get it from, and he is recommended by a place that sells fire place equipment, and pokers, gates, and stoves. He knows it all.

unknown

Our chimney, having been built in 1880, collapsed and fell down the roof. Mark did a great job, he was very professional, timely and our rebuilt chimney looks great!

Everything was explained and shown to me before hand. The cost was less than I thought it would be. The work was done on time and done very well. He went above and beyond.

Everything went well and I learned a lot. I hired Mark to clean my chimney. We bought a Lopi wood burning stove almost two years ago;converting our fireplace. This was our first cleaning. We hardly used it the first year when we got the stove so we waited until this year to call for service. Due to the kind of set up we have for this Lopi, it required a lot of work for him to gain access to clean our chimney/ liner. He had to pull the stove out and to dismantle things to gain access to cleaning the liner. Being that he had to dismantle practically everything, he warned me that he had to increase the price by $50. Considering what he had to do, I don't blame him. Some stoves allow cleaning directly going through the stove itself. My set up does not. After seeing what Mark had to do, I can see why another chimney sweep business I called turned down the work. Mark knew exactly what he was doing and ran with it. While he was cleaning, he brought me over several times and showed me what I could do to make my stove run more effeciently, where to clean a little more near my electric fan, and the amount of creosote that was created. After he was done, I felt like I went through a 101 course for chimney and stove care. His professional instruction was greatly appreciated. After he cleaned the liner from inside, he went outside, climbed on my roof, and checked the top of my chimney. I am very impressed by Mark's professionalism and his pride in his work. He has my business from now on. Might I add that he acted this way before he knew I was an Angie's List member! Therefore, he's a definite keeper!

The installation went great. I had purchased the unit on Marks recommendation from his supplier. He is very knowledgable and is certified for installation and repairs. We have also used him in the past for brick foundation and other repairs. Great job!

Mark and his assistant arrived on time, pulled out our wood stove and removed the cap from the chimney. They installed a good, thick liner (with a warranty). He also cleaned the chimney before the installation. After the installation, he replaced the cap (it had been removed by a furnace contractor for a debateable reason) and sealed up the "open areas" of the chimney. he explained exactly what he was going to do at each step. He placed tarps on our hardwood floors and ran a very strong vaccum during the cleaning process so no soot entered the house. The whole process was clean and quick. Outstanding!!

He was very good. He was trustworthy. He also did his best to not make a mess. The price he gave us was fair and I would have him out again.

Bids were solicited from 1other companies but only this company responded.