I have an old-school wood-burning fireplace that had never been properly serviced, so every winter smoke would seep into the house. Michael inspected the chimney with a camera and quickly found the problems. The original damper was mounted low and blocked much of the smoke chamber, the smoke chamber itself was rough and poorly shaped, and the deteriorated flue liner left large gaps that disrupted the draft. Rather than simply repairing the chimney, he completely re-engineered how it worked. He removed the old damper and installed a top-sealing damper, enlarged and reshaped the opening into the smoke chamber, then rebuilt and smoothed the chamber so the smoke could flow cleanly and efficiently into the flue. The result is remarkable. He took a 50-year-old chimney and made it work better than new. For the first time since we've owned the house, the fireplace drafts perfectly without a trace of smoke entering the room. As a bonus, it looks fantastic too. His crew was equally impressive. They paid attention to every detail, and even though chimney work is inherently messy, they sealed off the entire work area with plastic and left the house absolutely spotless. I'm incredibly grateful I found Michael. It's rare to find someone who combines this level of technical expertise, craftsmanship, professionalism, and genuine enthusiasm for his work. He clearly loves what he does, and it shows in every detail. It's also a reminder of what's been lost. Today, so much of construction is about replacing rather than restoring, and many fireplaces and chimneys arrive as prefabricated systems assembled from factory-made parts. There's nothing quite like finding a true mason who understands how a traditional masonry chimney is supposed to work and has the skill to improve it rather than simply replace it. Craftsmen like Michael are becoming a rare breed, and I'm grateful there are still artisans who take this much pride in their work. read more

Michael and his team are wonderful! I wouldn't bother hiring anyone else for any work needed to our fireplace and chimney. I first reached out to Michael for an inspection when we were in escrow on our home. The home was built in 1967 and nothing had been done to the fireplace/chimney since then. He was incredibly thorough in his inspection and report, to the point that both the seller agent and our agent asked how I found such a good inspector. His quote for repairs was extremely fair and his detail helped us get a credit for the repairs needed. Fast forward to once we moved in, I reached out to Michael to schedule and he was able to get his team out less than a week later. It was over summer, so I would guess in fall/winter, it's likely a longer lead time, but he's extremely nice and accommodating so I'm sure he helps people if they are in a bind. Michael said it would take 2 days to complete the work, which it did (this is honestly refreshing because usually people quote less time and then end up going over), his guys were prompt and did a great job on all the work. They cleaned up after themselves and left the space looking just the way it was before they came. Michael then came out at the end to check out the work and ensure it was up to his standards. He installed faux wood logs and charged exactly what he paid, he didn't upsell us or anything. 10/10 would recommend! read more

Michael was very knowledgeable and friendly. He inspected and cleaned our 2 chimneys (and even cleaned off our gas logs!) and showed us via a camera where our chimneys needed repair and explained the process in detail. We highly recommend him! read more

Michael was so helpful and knowledgeable (and kind!). Our fireplace and chimney are very old and we appreciate his honest advice about how to properly care for it. I highly recommend Chimney Checkup!! read more

Michael is the best! Super knowledgeable. Efficient and trustworthy. Cleaned our chimney and gave us a quote for the issues it has since it's 80 years old and needs some attention. We won't go to anyone else. Highly recommend him. read more

Michael came to our house to inspect our chimney. We thought it was falling off the house. He was thorough, checked everything inside and out, showed us video of the inside, and at the end told us that it was only the stucco outside that had cracked (not the chimney pulling away from the house). HONEST company! Thank you so much. Highly recommended!!! read more

Michael was extremely knowledgeable and generous in sharing a lot of helpful info about my chimney. He's also very personable and professional, making sure to protect the area around my fireplace as he worked. I felt I got what I paid for and more! Am going to be sure to keep his business card for the next time I need my chimney checked out or cleaned. Bravo! read more

Came out to look at our chimney, told us our chimney was fine and usable. However, in asking questions about problem areas I noticed inside our chimney, which he missed, our chimney was then deemed unusable. He went on our roof to inspect the chimney and removed a temporary cover, dropped it over the side of our home. When I mentioned the cover is used to keep insects and rain from falling through, he said he'd be back to replace it. After he promised a quote with the different options, he stopped responding. I followed up a few times and he forgot who we were and asked me to send photos of our chimney so he could remember. I tried to follow up with him again and was ghosted by him. While he seems responsive at first, I think our chimney may have been an issue he's never seen before and didn't have experience with. I recommend using a more experienced company and one that's more responsive. read more

Had a great experience with Michael. Was able to get an appointment quickly to have my chimney inspected and cleaned before moving into our new place. Michael is incredibly knowledgeable about all things fireplace and chimney. He also gave some great recommendations on updating the fireplace to make the whole room look better. Would definitely recommend. read more

Michael and his staffs are fantastic! I had the chimney inspected and repaired to fix and filled up the cracks and fallen out mortar and installing the gas Log . They checked everything and insured that all is to update with current standard require code as my fireplace/home build in 1957. Even with the earthquake 1994 - the fire chimney at the top was repaired and not at The bottom of the fireplace. I'm so glad Michael came to my rescue to fixed everything needed before the next earthquake! Michael and staffs went above and beyond in providing the services- great Consumer services, Communication and he makes sure his consumer is happy. I'm very happy with the outcome. Thank you Michael and his staffs. read more

Chimney Checkup - Gas Fire Log - Chimney Sweeps Near Me

Michael was awesome! I wasn't sure where to start with servicing my chimney and he made everything really easy and seamless. He cleaned and inspected everything, explained every detail clearly, and never made me feel rushed for asking questions. He's incredibly knowledgeable and honest -- no upsells, no pressure, just real guidance. He even gave me some great ideas on how I could modernize the fireplace if I choose to later. Now my chimney has never looked better... he even shined the glass doors! Highly recommend Michael and Chimney Checkup if you want someone thorough, trustworthy, and truly helpful. read more

Great from start to finish. The owner, Michael Cuervo, called while on the way to our appointment, and was as pleasant as any service person I have ever encountered. He was knowledgable and we trusted his evaluation completely. He didn't hard sell anything. We will be using Michael again. read more

I was unable to close the fireplace damper. As a result, moths were coming in to the house from my chimney. I had another vendor take a look at it and told me that the damper had to be repaired for about $500. I contacted Chimney Checkup. The owner, Michael, came to inspect it. He noticed that a hidden clamp was the reason why I could not close the damper. He took off the clamp, yanked the damper a few times & put some oil on it. Voila! the damper now works. Furthermore, he refused to be compensated for this service. This speaks volumes about his honesty and professionalism. Thank you for the excellent service provided. read more

I called Michael to inspect our chimney to ensure it is safe to burn wood. I scheduled an appointment which was a 1-hour arrival window. He called ~40 minutes prior with his estimated time of arrival - something I greatly appreciated. He did a thorough check and explained the minor repairs that would be needed if we're having our home inspected (i.e. selling the home). However, they weren't required to safely operate it. He made a few suggestions of things we could do ourselves, and approximately when to move forward with said repairs. Based off what he said, I am positive that any other chimney inspector/cleaner/repairer/etc would have had us believing that the minor repairs were absolutely needed. I feel confident in Michael's assessment, and look forward to using him again the future for all of our chimney/fireplace needs. He is incredibly kind and professional, and I can't recommend him enough! read more

Had Michael come out to clean our chimney and let us know what if anything is needed to bring it up to standards. He arrived on time, and did a great job explaining some things that were needed. read more

Our oversized 80-year-old chimney needed to be repaired, resealed, etc. Michael was great. He gave us a detailed explanation with photos of what work was needed (and what wasn't!), and what I consider a fair price quote for the 2 day job. Scheduling was easy, communication was smooth, and his crew was the best. Rudy, Daniel and Wilmer were on time, nice guys, and left the place cleaner than when they arrived. Michael came back the following day for a follow-up, showed me the before and after pictures. I couldn't ask for a better experience. Highly recommend! read more

My chimney from 1957 needed to be brought up to modern standards so we could use it. Michael came out and confirmed structurally the chimney was in good shape with minor cracks and updates needed. His expertise and passion for repairing old chimneys was clear, and he only uses old-school hand-mortar application rather than the newer spray stuff. This felt like the best option for my house to keep with the original build. His crew was friendly, efficient and clean and I am very excited to begin using my chimney after 17years of just looking at it! He is not the cheapest, but he came in well under other quotes I got from bigger companies for what I feel is a superior process and result. The cheaper quotes I got felt very rushed/urgent for the spray option and felt more appropriate to maybe general upkeep of a fix/flip sale. If you plan to live in your home and use your chimney, I recommend Michael and Chimney Checkup highly. If you are looking for cheapest option you can find cheaper but I think you are getting a lesser product as well. read more

The honesty of these people is amazing! I called and schedule a cleanup, and I did have some problems with the fire staining my wall. When George booked the appointment, he told me that in the meantime, I should call Michael. He told me that he didn't think that I need a cleanup. He asked me for pictures and he explained me the solutions on the phone. Cancel the appointment and charge me nothing this is wonderful customer service. The last time they came to my house it was the same fantastic service. read more

After 7 years of seasonal fires, I decided it was time for a cleaning and inspection. Michael was terrific! Very personable, very knowledgeable, and did a terrific job. He inspected everything and provided great explanations of what he was looking at and why it's important. My fireplace and flue are now good for another 3-4 years. I highly recommend Michael and Chimney Checkup! read more

Chimney Checkup - After scrubbing - Chimney Sweeps Near Me

Chimney Checkup came out, cleaned, and even educated us on how to best use our fireplace. We were worried that we were doing it wrong but he reassured us that everything was fine. He also ran a camera up/down the chimney and explained the current state. Great honest work. Def recommend! read more

West Los Angeles Michael and his team were amazing! First off, Michael and his crew showed up on time at each step of the project. They were courteous, respectful, and clean. After inspecting the chimney, Michael provided a detailed explanation in an understandable way that made it easy to decide what to do next. I never felt pressure to do more/spend more than I wanted to. The result was a repair that made the chimney safe and beautiful. Work was completed in 2 days as promised. Michael is extremely knowledgably and the entire crew is highly experienced. The work is top quality and the guys are polite and hard working. This is a very professional company run by people who love what they do. I HIGHLY recommend Chimney Checkup. read more

Just had this guy, Michael do an inspection/cleaning after the recent fires in our area. He was excellent. He was timely, communicative before the appointment, I made the appointment with his office. Then once here he was very informative, walked us live through the video inspection. Gave us a very honest non alarmist view of what needs to be addressed and what can possibly wait. Gave me tips on how to position cradle to get better airflow and was in and out within the time he said. Great experience! read more

Chimney Checkup - Cleaned up. - Chimney Sweeps Near Me

Michael was fantastic! Very personable and gave us some pointers on how/when to clean our chimney (without pressure of upselling). I thought the vent hood might need to be replaced because it was black and a little rusty on the outside. He said it was fine. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! read more

Michael is a self-described "chimney nerd," and he's fantastic. He inspected and cleaned the 30-yr old chimney on the house we just bought. He noted some critical maintenance that's needed to keep the fireplace healthy and safe for years to come. Now we've got peace of mind. He also has some great suggestions and connections for modernizing the fireplace. We're going to follow his guidance to update our gas burner, and have him do the install so it's done well. read more

I have used Michael for years. He knows chimneys and fireplaces!!! Period. Honest, fairly priced and terrific quality of work. After he cleans my chimney and fireplace - I can actually see and smell the difference. I would HIGHLY recommend him for any chimney or fireplace needs. read more

Michael showed up on time & was professional & informative.He cleaned out the chimney & gave me an estimate for the other issues that need fixing. read more

Great communication and service. Took care of my house and my neighbor on a Saturday afternoon making this one of the easiest home service visits I can remember. Quick, efficient, chimney is clean and ready to go for winter. Highly recommended. Took the time to explain everything and ran a camera up to check for any issues. read more

Michael was great. He was very knowledgeable and professional. His prices are fair and he does quality work. He will be my first call for any future chimney issues. read more

I highly recommend Michael, owner of Chimney Checkup, without hesitation. It was truly a pleasure working with Michael, and with George, who schedules the estimates and appointments. George was clear, thorough, and answered all of my initial questions. Upon his arrival to inspect our chimney, which was built in 1950, Michael was very informative, honest, and helpful in letting us know about the options available to treat our chimney. During the inspection, he took photos of the chimney's interior and clearly explained his findings. In addition to an inspection, Michael installed a spark arrestor and applied a crown cap, which preserves the top of the chimney from erosion. From the first time I called Chimney Checkup to Michael's completion of work was a positive experience. Thank you, Michael, for your excellent service! read more

Wonderful service. I especially appreciated their willingness to take the time to teach me all about chimneys and the work mine needed. You won't regret using them. read more

Called Chimney Checkup for cleaning. Micheal was very responsive. His inspection found items that required repair. Michael stated that he would send an estimate - no pressure. As a woman who is tired of being scammed over the years, I always contact 2-3 companies before making a decision. Chimney checkup was honest and provided personal customer service. I decided to have Michael do the work as the other company provided a slightly higher estimate for the repair and wanted to do the work immediately rather than letting me weigh my options before making a decision. Chimney Checkup is the company to go with - you won't be disappointed. read more

Michael came out to check on my 100 year old chimney. Water had been leaking through the painted facade and we thought there were cracks in the masonry somewhere. Having been a building inspector, he immediately identified the problem as ground water seeping through from outside and told me how to solve the problem and the steps to take to prevent further seepage. He didn't put me through unnecessary, costly inspections that other companies probably would have. A true pro with integrity. I highly, highly recommend him. read more

Michael of Chimney Checkup is the best!. He analyzed my fireplace and chimney issues and educated me along the way. He is knowledgeable, competent and professional. Many thanks. read more

Excellent company. Michael was down to earth, thorough, clean, and honest. His price was fair and included camera inspection which he walks you through step by step. He found issues with our 75 year old chimney and gave a price on the spot. He is old school and takes pride in his work I would use him again l read more

Highly recommend working with Michael! He really took his time with the inspection of my chimney and explained the details of what was going on. Another company had quoted be $25,000 and told me I needed to replace the whole fireplace. Michael came and assured me that was not the case and gave a plan on how we can address the issues for a fraction of the cost. He is an honest man with integrity. Thank you Michael! read more

Professional, knowledgeable and thorough. I strongly recommend Michael and his Team at Chimney Checkup.

I called Chimney Checkup for an inspection. They answered right away and got me scheduled the same week. They sent out a text the day before as a reminder. Michael came on time, fully inspected the chimney, and cleaned up thoroughly. He was dea tail oriented and polite. I would recommend to do your next chimney inspection and repair! read more

Chimney Checkup - Chimney Sweeps Near Me

Michael was awesome. Communication was great, he went above and beyond to figure out my issue and save me money. Would definitely recommend!

We request Michael for a chimney inspection at our new place. Due to unforeseen circumstances he was delayed for our appointment but was willing to come after hours to thoroughly inspect our place. Michael was incredibly friendly and informative. He was quick to figure out the problem with our chimney and had solutions at hand (with cost in mind). He was kind enough to give us pointers and tips on preventative care for our chimney to save money in the long run. We highly recommend Michael for any chimney issues! read more

We had Chimney Checkup out for a look see and a cleaning as we had not used our fireplace in some time. They got right back to me and everything was done a week later, on my schedule. They are all super nice and their prices are fair. I think you will be happy, we are, read more