Terms & Conditions
Jim Hood
(T/A Hearth & Home Chimney Services)
1. Services Provided
1.1 We provide professional chimney sweeping, flue sweeping, appliance servicing and maintenance for solid fuel appliances, safety inspections, bird’s-nest removal, smoke/pressure testing, CCTV camera inspections, carbon-monoxide testing, and related advisory services.
1.2 All work is carried out in accordance with HETAS requirements.
2. Booking & Appointment
2.1 Bookings are confirmed only when we send you written confirmation (text, email, or letter).
2.2 We will agree a date and an approximate time window. We will do our best to arrive within that window but cannot be held liable for delays caused by traffic, weather, or previous jobs over-running.
3. Access & Preparation
3.1 You must provide safe, clear, and free access to the fireplace, stove, appliance, and chimney/flue.
3.2 The hearth area and appliance must be cleared of ornaments, fuel, ash buckets, pets, and small children before we arrive.
3.3 For servicing, the appliance must be cold and empty of fuel/ash.
3.4 We use dust sheets and industrial vacuum equipment, but you remain responsible for removing or protecting valuable or delicate items.
4. Pricing & Payment
4.1 Prices quoted are valid for 30 days unless otherwise stated.
4.2 Standard charges for sweeping and appliance servicing are displayed on our price list. Extra work or replacement parts will be quoted separately on the day and agreed before proceeding.
4.3 Payment is due on completion of the work unless we have agreed credit terms in writing.
4.4 We accept cash, bank transfer, or card payment.
4.5 Invoices unpaid after 14 days will attract a £25 late-payment fee.
5. Certificates, Reports & Servicing Records
5.1 A HETAS sweeping certificate and/or appliance service record will be issued on the day (or emailed within 48 hours).
5.2 Any advisory or warning notices (e.g. faults found, parts required) form part of the service and must be acted upon. We accept no liability if you continue to use a faulty appliance.
6. Cancellations & Rearrangements
6.1 You may cancel or rearrange free of charge if you give us at least 48 hours’ notice.
6.2 Cancellations with less than 48 hours’ notice, or if we arrive and cannot carry out the work through no fault of ours, will incur a £45 call-out charge.
7. Liability & Insurance
7.1 We hold full Public Liability Insurance (£5 million) and Professional Indemnity Insurance.
7.2 We are not liable for:
- pre-existing damage, soot, or wear already present
- damage caused by structural defects, birds, vermin, or extreme weather
- cosmetic marking to very old or fragile fireplaces/appliances (we will always point these out before starting)
7.3 Our total liability is limited to the value of the job in question.
8. Guarantee
8.1 Chimney/flue sweeping is guaranteed for 30 days.
8.2 Appliance servicing is guaranteed for 30 days against faulty workmanship (parts are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty only). If the same fault re-occurs within 30 days through no fault of the customer, we will re-attend free of charge.
9. Birds, Nests & Wildlife
9.1 Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 it is illegal to disturb active bird nests (usually March–August). We will advise you if this applies and may need to delay work or obtain a licence.
10. Complaints
10.1 In the unlikely event you are unhappy, please tell us on the day or in writing within 7 days. We will do our best to resolve the issue quickly and fairly.
11. Data Protection
11.1 We keep your name, address, phone number, email, and appliance details only for the purposes of providing our service, issuing certificates, and meeting legal/safety record requirements. We do not share your data with third parties except where required by law or insurance purposes.
12. Governing Law
12.1 These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.