Chimney Scams in Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, and Canyon Lake: What You Need to Know
If you’ve searched for a chimney company in Temecula or Murrieta lately, you’ve probably seen ads for “cheap sweeps” or “$99 inspections.” On the surface, it sounds like a great deal. But a lot of these companies are running a scam.
They are not real chimney service companies. They are lead generation outfits pretending to be local. They take your call, schedule an appointment, and send out random subcontractors who may or may not have any chimney training at all. (Pssst: they dont)
Some of these guys pull up in sports cars with no ladder and no equipment. We’ve heard of people showing up to do “chimney inspections” with nothing but the flashlight on their cellphone. That should tell you all you need to know.
The $99 Scam Trap
Here’s the worst part. They advertise a $99 inspection. But once they arrive, they’ll tell you it’s another fee to get on the roof. Yes, you read that right. A chimney inspection that doesn’t include the chimney unless you pay extra. Or, the $99 includes a sweep of the first 10′ and then theres an upcharge for every foot after that. Thats completely bogus.
In some cases, they’ve charged another $150 to $200 just to climb a ladder. That’s like a mechanic charging you to pop the hood after you already paid for an oil change. It’s ridiculous, but it happens every day in our area. And people pay it. The average invoice we have seen for a terrible cleaning and next to nothing inspection is in excess of $600.
How the Scam Works
These companies follow a pattern:
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The name on Google won’t match the name they answer the phone with.
This is a big red flag. They run multiple listings under fake names to catch as many calls as possible. -
Their website doesn’t match their business name.
A real company has consistent branding. Their website, Google listing, and social media will all match. The fake companies will have different names everywhere, with no clear owner and no real contact info. -
They claim the entire chimney industry is lead generation.
That is not true. Real chimney companies own their trucks, hire their employees, and train their techs. We’re not middlemen passing you off to random people. The liability on this practice alone is enough to keep a conscienous owner from even considering it. We are talking about FIRE in your home! -
They push expensive repairs you don’t need.
We’ve seen people pressured into paying thousands of dollars for fixes that aren’t required. Some of these repairs are completely made up and performed with the skill level of a toddler. And they often ask for deposits that exceed the legal limit for unlicensed contractors in California. Anything over $500 requires a license if it involves labor and materials. -
Their website has no personality.
Look at the site. Does it have real photos of the crew? Is there an owner introduction? Or is it a copy-paste stock website full of vague promises? Most of the scam sites are AI-generated with no connection to a real business.
How to Protect Yourself
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Ask questions before they show up.
What’s the name of the company? Does it match the website and Google listing? Do they have a unique social media presence? -
Look for real photos.
Check if they have actual pictures of their employees, trucks, and equipment. Not stock images. Stock images are a dead giveaway. Us owners love to show off our branding as another trust marker for legitimacy! -
Ask about licensing and insurance.
Chimney sweeps don’t need a license for cleanings, but repairs over $500 require one. In fact, there is only one other company in the area licensed that is doing chimney work and they, too, are legit. If the people you’re considering hiring don’t advertise their licensing, ask to see their license! We pay for that thing and we are happy to produce it! -
Watch for bait and switch tactics.
If someone tries to charge you extra to get on the roof after you’ve already paid for an inspection, send them packing. -
Check reviews.
Look for consistent, local reviews; not a string of recent five-star ratings with no real substance. Look for clues, such as mentioning the need to use the fireplace right now and the “company got us right as rain today”…in July…whos using their fireplace out here in July??
The Advanced Chimney Cleaning Difference
At Advanced Chimney Cleaning, Inc., we don’t play games. The name on our website matches the name on our Google listing. We answer the phone with our company name, because that’s who we are. My van is wrapped, my ladders are on the rack, and I am the person showing up (Eric). We’re licensed (1040600) and heavily insured for this work.
We serve Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, and Canyon Lake, and we’re proud to be a real local business. No bait and switch. No fake fees to climb the ladder. Just honest work, done right the first time.
Call us at 951-698-8676 or visit www.AdvancedChimneyCleaning.com to schedule a real inspection with a real fireplace company.
Bottom line: If the name on the website doesn’t match the business answering the phone or the name on the truck, and the tech shows up with no ladder, you’re probably getting scammed. Stick with the locals who show up ready to do the job right. In actual work trucks.