Choosing a Chimney Sweep

Many new chimney sweeps have popped up in the local area recently. I've run a few different businesses in the past, so I'm very happy to see others working for themselves too. I have close working relationships with most other sweeps, while acknowledging that we go about things differently and customers choose us for different reasons.

This page goes into a few of the differences between Swept Away and other chimney sweeps, which might help you decide who you should choose.

In summary, we are:

• Independent, putting our customers first.
• Mainly working for repeat customers and their family and friends.
• Taking bookings over the phone and almost never rearranging.
• Getting the job done right, rather than rushing to meet a packed schedule.

Long running vs. New to the trade

Swept Away is the longest running Chimney Sweep in Bath. We plan to continue the business until eventual retirement and handing over the torch, as was once handed to me - It'll be a while yet!

We were once a new business too and apprenticed under a now long-retired popular sweep in Bath, so we support new businesses popping up and hope these stand the test of time as well.

You can lean on the reviews of multiple generations of customers who have trusted us to sweep their chimneys and we recommend asking your friends and family who they choose as well.

Independent vs. Part of trade associations

Swept Away has an enduring reputation and loyal customers since 1999, long before Chimney Sweeping trade associations became popular. We prefer to maintain our independence and focus on improving our business in ways that most directly benefit our customers. We greatly exceed the standards that these associations expect of their members, which are in summary to be trained, insured and to use the correct equipment.

We have found that our loyal, repeat customers and word of mouth keep us plenty busy, without needing to lean on the marketing benefits of these associations.

We have a great reputation and congenial working relationships with all other bodies in our trade, and understand why newer businesses make different choices about their independence, especially those who are just starting their business and are looking for the fastest training route, or those who haven’t built up a large and loyal set of regular customers.

Reputation vs. Marketing

We let our reputation do the talking. Almost all our business comes from our regular customers repeat business and referring their friends and family to us. We don’t post leaflets through doors and only sparingly advertise online. We don’t make claims about being the ‘best’ or ‘favourite’, we ask that instead, you read our customer reviews and let them do the talking.

We could probably work 'to the bone' with 60+ hour weeks and lots of adverts, but no one wants a cranky sweep! We prefer to keep a sustainable schedule, which avoids us rushing and lets us enjoy life more outside of work.

Phone vs. ‘Instant’ bookings

We prefer to take bookings over the phone, where you can talk to our friendly staff and ask any questions you might have and find a time that works for both of us.

Lots of businesses (not just sweeps!) choose primarily online bookings. This can result in a route which bounces all over the South West.

• For you, this means your appointment might get rearranged shortly after you make it, or your sweep might be late and have to cancel.
• For the community, this means unnecessary pollution and harm to the environment.
• For your sweep, this means lost time which could be spent on a job well done and with family and friends.
  

We book around our existing jobs, which means we almost never rearrange bookings and are rarely late! More often, we're early, but only if that works for you!

Right vs. Fast

Sweeping has come a long way in recent times. Traditionally, sweeps only used manual rods & brushes. Now, it’s become common to use ‘Power’ sweeps which essentially spin rods & brushes using a high powered drill.

Both have their uses, but power sweeping is often used as a dangerous shortcut on older, more delicate chimneys - I'm not aware of any local sweeps taking this shortcut, but it's something you should watch out for, especially if you have an older, more delicate flue. I've seen it from past sweeps who have come and gone.

We always choose the right tool for the job, which means we will never choose the fast option if it’s wrong for your chimney!