Top Hat might provide the greatest chimney sweep and repair service in all of Northern Michigan. I will never know, as the quote/estimate process revealed the proprietor to be quite rude. I had a time-sensitive need, which I explained to him on our first call. I sent him pictures from a home inspection, and received a ball park estimate.
The estimate proved to be 2x of what my home sellers received for a stainless steel crown/cap, but I will give benefit of the doubt there. What turned me away was when I asked whether a paper estimate could be provided based on the photos. I've not been spoken to like that since 5th grade, and I'd never do business with anyone with such little respect for their customers. I might have misunderstood when he told me initially, but there is zero reason for a service provider to talk down to his customers. It runs up the red flag that any little gap of understanding moving forward is going to mean big drama. Who really wants that when it comes to dealing with chimney repair??
I might take that attitude from a trade that's hard to find good people in- Diesel mechanic, drywall mudder, boat waxer. Even in those trades, you find people rough around the edges but are generally OK. If you're dealing with attitude from call #1, and can find 10 other Chimney repair places in TC, then you hang up, and move on. read more
