TERMS & CONDITIONS For

 Hughie Doonan,

Chimney Cleaning Services

 

I/We undertake to do the best job possible for our customers for a quoted price. That is our commitment to you. Of course, like many businesses there is some small print so here it is.

 PRIOR TO ARRIVEL AT YOUR PROPERTY

Please Have your open fireplace or Appliance cooling down for a period of up to 8 hours prior to sweeping. 
I/We also ask our customers to please have all Ash/debris removed from your open fireplace, stoves and solid fuel cookers as this can be very time consuming on us to clear and have a knock on effect to the next booking.

PRICING

I/We operate a fixed price for a straight forward sweep. We Rely on You the customer to inform us of what we are sweeping – the price quoted to you will be based on that information only .

 If you have failed to inform us in advance of any problems/issues, for example a fireplace that is larger than normal, we reserve the right to REQUOTE upon inspection .  You can decline to use our service at that point. Although a home visit charge will apply.

 If we encounter a problem, for example a blockage or flue issue or a very neglected non-regularly swept flue, we will advise you if there are any extra charges to be made.  If you decide you do not want us to continue with the job, I/we reserve the right to charge a fee to cover our costs, including a contribution towards work already undertaken.

 

PAYMENT

1. Payment is due when the Sweep is finished the service, except where payment has been arranged in advance.
2. Various payment options are offered. You may pay by cash, card or Cheque.
3. If we find a problem we will tell you/show you If we can resolve the problem, but it is necessary to charge extra as these issues are time consuming.
   

 

CANCELLATION

1. I/We understand that our customers have busy lives too. If you have to change or cancel an appointment. please give as much notice as possible. 24hrs prior is advised as I/We have allocated time in our day specifically for you and late notice cancellation may mean we cannot rebook.
2.  We may have turned away other customers if we have a full day.  We reserve the right to charge a fee in the event that no one is home when we arrive at the property, and/or we cannot gain access. I/We also reserve the right to charge in the event of a last minute cancellation, (less than a full 24hrs notice).

Charging If We Are Unable To Carry Out the Sweep Upon Arrival

Should we turn up and upon inspection be unable to carry the sweep out then we reserve the right to charge a FEE for the intended booked sweep.

I/We have come across many properties where the homeowner has booked a sweep and upon arrival and inspection a gas lining is hanging in the chimney, Chimney liners are broken and ready to collapse or the chimney terminals have been capped off previously making it not possible to carry out a full Sweep. I/We are happy to advise on remedial action needed to enable a sweep to take place but as our time and diary space is very busy and precious we cannot attend properties and walk away due to lack of information or incorrect information provided when booking.

 Upon booking an appointment we try to be as thorough with asking as much detail as possible but if your unsure please send us some pictures of the open fire, appliances or chimney, flues ect. before we confirm the appointment.

NESTS OR BLOCKAGES

1. I/We are unable to remove live nests from April to August when birds are nesting as it is illegal to do so (please check National guidelines). However there are some circumstances where blockages may pose a threat to life and may have to be removed. For example : holiday homes, where people may be unaware of blockages and light a fire, that could cause a chimney fire, and many other issues. 
2. If we find a nest in the chimney when we are sweeping, we will usually arrange to come back to remove it when it is OK to do so.
3.  Please do not ask us, or any other person, to break the law and remove the nest when it is illegal. We will make a charge for our time if we cannot sweep, (this will be half the agreed sweep cost).
4. If I/we are working outdoors such as fitting a cap or cowls, this work will depend upon the weather being suitable for working from ladders. Suitable days will be chosen for this work.

 

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS

1. While great care is taken to prevent damage to your property, I/we cannot be held responsible for badly maintained or deteriorating terminals, cowls, chimney stacks, fireplaces, stoves, stove firebricks or any other part of your chimney. Detailed information should be disclosed, such as age and type of covering, and any known problems/issues.
2. We’ll do our best to advise you and take precautions to prevent damage, but in some instances, may recommend remedial work prior to sweeping or ask you to sign a disclaimer to allow us to continue.  Please do not be offended, we would rather you knew in advance.Cowls and some chimney terminals/pots have a limited life expectancy as they have been in situ for many years, and/or may not have been fitted correctly or poor-quality products have been used.
3.  Without confirming the security of these from the ground, we cannot accept any responsibility for these coming loose, breaking or falling off.  Also, any damage they may cause to roofing and anything below as they fall. I/We are legally required to exit a chimney pot upon sweeping. if a cowl is present we always take great care to enter these.If your chimney/flue has not been Swept annually our price shall increase as it becomes a non standard chimney sweep.  If we must clear register plates from debris before we can start, then additional charges shall be added for additional time . We rely at the booking stage for as much information from you as possible before we attend so we can quote an accurate price for you.
4. I /We aim to sweep all types of appliances that burn solid fuel, wood, oil or gas, in residential properties . I/We do encounter some problems with wood burning stoves and other installations that have been fitted without Provision for sweeping. some are not ‘legal’ installations and are just plain dangerous. I/We will do our best to sweep but sometimes we will be unable to undertake the job, leaving you with the best advice i/we can offer to solve the problem.
5. Steel lined flues are not indestructible. I/We use the worlds most advanced method of power sweeping, The Rod Technology System. insurance approved, and have undertaken intensive training in its use. For stainless steel flexible and rigid flue systems we will use a specific head and rods to undertake the power sweep.
6. We are a local, professional chimney Cleaning business and we rely on customers coming back to us year after year. If you like what we do, please tell Everyone! If we have disappointed you in any way, please tell US!!!

Competition and promoting of our business
 
1. Any sweeping to be carried out under promotion basis are strictly standard sweeping only.
2. Any problems /issues, blockages will incur standard charges.
3. Any extra work asked of us to be done whilst at your property will also incur additional costs.