ComplaintsforPiedmont Chimney Service

• Initial Complaint

  07/29/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My 83 year old widowed mother had this company come out to investigate a sooty smell coming from her chimney. He told her that water was penetrating the brick and chimney crown on top and was causing the smell due to the fact she had the glue sealed on top a few years ago. He stated he would demolish the existing chimney crown and unseal the flue as well as vacuum out the chimney and unseal her damper because she had “Vented” gas logs (they are actually Non Vented). He pressure washed the side of the chimney and claimed he treated the brick with an “Imvisible” sealant (This was not done) He arrived on site with 2 teenagers and after 3 hours, he said all the work was done and he needed to be paid on the spot. He convinced her to write the check to him personally and not to the company. He then drove directly to the bank and cashed the check. He did absolutely no demo of the chimney crown and only smeared Sure Wall on it and installed an “Off the shelf at Home Depot stainless chimney cap with Tap Con screws into the existing (not demolished as he stated) chimney crown and told her he had to have the cap special made in California and had it delivered in one day. He told her that her flue was an odd size and therefore he charged he $480 for a $125 cap that he purchased at a local store. Her total charge was over $3000 for the small amount of work he actually performed. The rest of the work was not done at all. This WILL be going to court.

  Business response

  07/31/2023

  This job was performed for a Ms. ***** ********* who called to use our services. Prior to my arrival another chimney company had come out to make repairs to the chimney. These repairs where defiantly hazardous and costly. The chimney damper door was glued shut which is significant due to the type of gas logs that are in the chimney and codes and requirement's with chimneys. We removed 5gallons of debris and installation inside of the chimney flue liner which is a significant fire hazard that had been closed off by another company. The top of the chimney had some type of metal covering that was barely holding onto the chimney and the liner at the top was cracked.  There has been a extremes amount of water leaking inside of the chimney for several years.  Ms ********* stated that she had no idea that this is what the prior company had done and could not recall the last time the chimney had been cleaned or serviced. On the day of the chimney inspection Ms ********* was not charged the rate for and inspection. It was noted that the chimney was not cleaned and there was over 5 gallons of the debris removed from the chimney that she was not charged for. The damper area including the damper door had to be cut open with heavy duty tools and Ms ********* was not charged for. Work that Ms ********* was charged for was attaching a custom chimney cap that is stainless steel that comes with a lifetime warranty. A refurbished crown that comes with a 25 year warranty. This is not sure wall and is crown coat after some of the chimney crown was demoed to make a beveled surface so water will flow off the chimney. Sure wall is used for sides of the chimney in relation to stucco type chimneys. Crown coat sealant even though expensive is one of the most durable products. The chimney cap the son of the customer stated that it was from" Lowes or home depot". This chimney cap is a multi-flue type chimney cap which had to be ordered and comes with a lifetime warranty. We also pressure washed the chimney and used a heavy duty sealant that the homeowner saw with her own eyes. Once all the work was completed on the invoice i stated to Ms ********* that it would take several days maybe even weeks for the over 20 plus years of water and debris being stagnant in the chimney for the smell to dissipate some.  On 3 occasions i met with Ms ********* and her son once to discuss significant issues with the chimney and there was no charge. This is not a normal practice of mines to not charge a trip charge per occurrences. Ms ********** was not taking advantage of and was given an extreme discount and like a normal business payment is due upon completion. This company is not paid by the hour but by the job and Ms ********* was completely satisfied upon completion.

   

• Initial Complaint

  01/06/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Paid for work that was not done. My chimney needed to be torn down according to piedmont chimney, 1st time they came out ,they only use a coating to only cover the chimney, after getting them to come back a 2nd time , they said they recoated the chimney again and chipped out 3 pcs of the chimney liner and replaced it. I was charged $5300, peidmont chimney offered a refund of $1450, after some discussion we agreed on a$2000 refund over the phone. I was sent a check for $1450. I have talked to an attorney and told me that since there was nothing on paper about the $2000 that is was she said she said situation.

  Business response

  01/20/2022

  Work done at the above location was above standards. The chimney was in poor condition and work was done to specs of the existing chimney and is safe to use.  Customer stated that we did not take as much time as he would have to rebuild chimney. Customer also stated that he would come up with a fair price as to the cost and labor associated with repairs needed. i told customer that it is not up to him to adjust our hourly rate or come up with a fair price for parts and materials on the job site. Customer did not take into consideration any trip charges or additional material needed for his chimney. A check was written to customer, as a determine amount that is comparable and fair to the amount of work done and also fair with the cost considered. Customer in text/phone calls wanted chimney to be safe to use and that was his major concern. 

  With the consideration of lawsuit from the customer text and witness are not in these comments.

  Customer response

  01/21/2022

   I am rejecting this response because:
  
  We agreed on a $2000 refund. He was supposed to come look at the work done and never did. I was charged twice for sure wall. I had to call an lawyer to get a check sent to me , for the wrong amount. 

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