Advanced Chimney Technologies Inc

On 8/21/17, upon their inspection, I was told that there had been a previous fire in the chimney which had cracked the chimney. I was also told there was no liner in the chimney and one would need to be installed. I was given a quote for $2500 and was informed that if I gave them a 50% deposit, it would allow them to start the work within a couple weeks. So, I handed over a deposit for $1250, which was posted within their bank account that day. By mid-September, they had still failed to come and make the necessary fixes to my chimney. After several calls and texts between that time, was always told they would come the next week because they were finishing up another job. Over the span of 2-3 weeks, they always made an excuse as to why they couldn’t make it to my repairs. Once the work was started, it took them over a 3 week period to fix the cracks and attempt to install the liner. The liner itself took a week because the two technicians couldn’t get it to fit properly. They also could not get the original wood stove attached to the liner - the owner of the company, Bart Elkins, showed up and got the liner to fit into the chimney. At the time, because of the lack of daylight, they had only one small thing to fix (attaching the boot and the stove) and would return the next day. In good faith, I paid the remainder of the money, $1250, to the owner of the company for a total amount of $2500. The next day lapsed into another few days before they showed up again, after promising to come the next day. When they came to attach the boot, the boot that they had ordered took several days and when it did arrive, it wasn’t the right one and I had got wait another 4-5 days for them to return it for the proper one. Another 2 weeks had gone by, a new technician showed up. They had to push my stove all the way into the fireplace, thereby making the facade of the fireplace unable to be reattached. The technician attached the boot, put some putty around it at the joint, and I was told that they stove could now be used. I was told, at that time, that the owner would custom make a facade and bring it over the following week. This, of course, never happened. This was approximately the last week in October. Immediately upon burning wood in the stove, the putty around the joint started to crack and fall off. At that point, you could see about a 1/4-1/2 inch gap between the boot and the top of the stove. See pictures attached. When I texted ACT about this, I received a phone call a day or two later. I was told that this was fine and that the putty really wasn’t needed in the first place. I was, again, told that a custom facade would be made and attached the following week - which of course turned into another week where nothing was done and the facade never came. I had to hire another company to fix and to this day, they have ignored my repeated requests for a refund.

They arrived at the scheduled time and got my chimney all swept out. I had some questions about some future work I was thinking about having done and they were able to answer all of them and provide some guidance on some details I need to work out before going forward. I need to gather up some extra money anyway so I have plenty of time to make up my mind. The knowledgeable staff gave me confidence that I'll be calling them when I'm ready! Meanwhile, I'm ready to go for this winter.

STAY AWAY from ACT they are thieves and will take your money. This was a horrible experience dealing with the owner(Bart) of Advance Chimney Technology. They were hired to remove an old gas fireplace, installed a vented chimney and a new fireplace. They were quick to show up, inspect the property and provide and estimate. They were also quick to require money up front, over $3700. They cashed my check the SAME day, within minutes of giving it to them. The indicated and promised the fireplace to be here within 5 to 7 days. They also claimed to be Regency fireplace dealer. A week went by and I had to call for an update, just to be told they needed to order the fireplace.... many phone calls and weeks later i was told that they received the wrong fireplace. I was told every story in the book about what they were going to do and all about how others made mistakes. They came to the home with the wrong fireplace and took measurements trying to make it work, it was too deep, they order the deep model and not the standard model. Then they wanted more money as the deep one was more expensive. I refused. I had contractors waiting on me as they had delivered product to install and they wanted to be paid, however the fireplace had to be installed first. I asked ACT to install the chimney pieces so others could complete their work and be paid. Again every story in the book, first they said is was not possible, then they had to order a different pipe to make it work, then they were returning the fireplace and would get the new one,.... on and on and on. Finally, ACT showed up with the original fireplace, the wrong one, and managed to install the fireplace, however they did not bring all the parts. I was able to allow other contracts to complete services while I continued to battle with ACT from the remaining parts to the fireplace. Finally, they delivered what was supposed to be the remaining parts, only to find out they never ordered the correct doors we requested. From that point, I have never heard from ACT agin. I had to hire additional contractors to set up the stove, which was nearly impossible as I found it extremely difficult to find a fireplace provider in the first place. Thanks to my stone mason, he knew a guy that installed gas furnaces that came to my home and read through the manual and manage to set up the fireplace, of course at an additionally cost out of my pocket. While we were battling with ACT we contacted Regency corp for help. Their rep called us and stated that they had major trouble with ACT taking people's money and never returning. ACT was stripped of their dealer status and ACT is buy fireplaces illegally from someone in which they could not determine. Their rep also informed me that the county was supposed to inspect my stove to ensure it was safe. By this time, the job was complete and the stove is behind the stone wall. So, I do not know if it is safe. The Regency rep also promised to stop by, but he never lived up to his promises as well, about like ACT. We managed to finally complete our project but had to cancel our family Christmas as our home was torn apart. STAY AWAY from ACT they are thieves and will take your money. STAY AWAY from Regency Fireplace as they do not fulfill their promises either. I even told Regency I wanted to buy the missing doors, but I never heard from them again.

unknown

Obviously I now have concerns about ACT's knowledge of pellet inserts. Their techs were great otherwise, so I'm giving them an overall B. However, I will likely try a different company next year.

I got their name from a friend of mine since her son works for them. I had several estimates before they came out. They were able to upgrade the stove unit and still come under the other estimates. The representative (I believe he is the owner) also dispelled some of the other estimates that wanted to redo my entire chimney. He said it would be in the next two weeks, although I didn't hear back from them in that time, I followed up. They were able to schedule the install around my schedule, which was helpful. They were a little tardy getting there, but the actual install went ok. They were nice enough to cut up some wood for it and go over how to properly build a fire (I am not a fire expert here so I appreciated the handholding through the first fire). The damper wasn't open so when they light the fire it smoked a bit, but that is why I had them light a fire before they left. They fixed that piece and then the fireplace burns and draws nicely. There is still a piece on back order and I haven't heard from them again, so I will follow up. Overall it looks very nice and when it is burning, it made the room about 6 degrees warmer than it normally runs (its in a basement/family room).