What to Look for When Hiring a Chimney Sweep (and Where to Find One)

If you look for a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep®, a lot of the vetting work is done for you, by us, the CSIA. We’re a non-profit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors who also happen to be fire safety experts and chimney and venting experts.

Our #1 goal is to ensure every family enjoys a safe, warm home, and we work towards that shared vision by educating homeowners on the dangers of chimney fires and training sweeps to offer the very best service. We’ve been training chimney sweeps as the industry leader in chimney and venting education since 1983.

Yup, we’ve been holding sweeps to higher standards and protecting homeowners since Paula Abdul was wearing stirrup pants. That’s a long time.

CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps®:

• Pass rigorous testing proving their knowledge and understanding of chimney and venting systems, codes and standards, and safety practices.
• Agree to abide by the CSIA Code of Ethics, which means they’ll be honest, fair, respectful, and professional in their interactions with all their customers.
• Never stop learning and have to invest in ongoing education in order to maintain and renew their certification.
• Hold themselves to higher standards in terms of the service they offer and how they do the work.

When you hire a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep®, you know you’re putting your home and family in capable, qualified hands. And when it comes to receiving proper care and maintenance for your chimneys, woodstoves, and fireplaces – services that could protect you from unnecessary fires and carbon monoxide poisonings, plus save you thousands of dollars over time – isn’t that what you need and deserve?

Bottom line: If you want total peace of mind and a faster, easier way of vetting a chimney sweep, look for the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® badge.

What If the Certification Is Through Someone Other Than the CSIA?

Okay, so the companies you’re considering use the word ‘certified’ on their website or in their business name, but they’re not CSIA-certified. How do you know if the certification really means anything? You’ll have to do a little research to answer the following questions:

• Is the word ‘certified’ just part of the business name or is it an earned designation?
• If it’s an earned designation, is the certifying body a ‘for-profit’ business or a ‘non-profit’ run by a board of directors? ‘For-profit’ certification bodies may offer the certification for a fee, without actually requiring anyone from the company to pass any exam or prove any qualifications or expertise.
• How is the certification renewed? Are individuals required to maintain and renew their certification through continuing education as the industry evolves, or is it earned through a one-time exam?
• Is the certifying body well-established or are they new to the scene? If they are new to the scene, are their requirements for certification more or less stringent than those of more established entities?
• Is the mission statement of the certifying body focused on educating and protecting homeowners or is it more focused on making it easier for people to earn certification and make a profit?
• Does holding the certification require adherence to a code of ethics? If so, can the certification be revoked if the individual violates that code of ethics?

When you know more about the certification and what it actually says about the person that’s earned and maintained it, you’ll be better able to decide if it’s just a word used to create a sense of authority and trust or a real reason to hire the company and allow them into your home.

How Much Should It Cost to Sweep Your Chimney?

The cost of a chimney cleaning and inspection will vary by company and location, but not to worry – we’ve put together a budget guide to help you get a better idea of what to expect. Check it out.