
Serving Des Plaines, IL and surrounding areas
Approved
Super Service Award Winner
In business since 2005
Free estimates
Warranties offered
"Professional, reliable with a strong emphasis on fireplace safety."





+41


Serving Des Plaines, IL and surrounding areas
Approved
Super Service Award Winner
In business since 2005
Free estimates
Warranties offered
"Professional, reliable with a strong emphasis on fireplace safety."





+41

Serving Des Plaines, IL and surrounding areas
Approved
In business since 2004
Free estimates
Emergency services offered
"Excellent. We have an older home (100 years), with a wood-burning fireplace in our living room that was not useable due to an improperly done steel liner. It previously had a damaged clay tile liner, which had been re-lined previously with an undersized steel liner. This created draft issues since the steel liner was too small for the fireplace (only 6''). Even worse, the liner did not go completely down to the firebox, for unclear reasons -- there is an angle at the bottom and it seems the prior lining stopped short, probably due to lack of anticipating the turn or skill to manage a more complicated lining vs. a straight flue. Effectively the bottom part of the chimney was unlined, and the liner installed is too small. Fixing this required removing the old liner (which was insulated/mortared in - meaning a lot of breaking up mortar to get it out), removing the old clay tile liners by breaking them up, and then installing a new properly sized 9'' liner. Steve Pratt (owner) gave us an prompt and honest estimate - he came out the next day after I called, on a Saturday. He was very thorough and explained our 3 options -- 1) replace liner and leave as wood burning fireplace, 2) replace liner and add gas logs, or 3) leave chimney as-is and put in a gas insert, which wouldn't require the complicated chimney work since the smaller intake/exhaust liners for this would fit in our existing liner. He was very thorough, and also checked our other fireplace upstairs, and the flue that vents our boiler, and noted some issues with these that we will address at a later time (which neither of the other chimney companies looked at, since we didn't ask -- Steve was thorough and wanted to check all 3 since he was there -- and furthermore didn't even charge for the inspection). We chose the "right" fix - replace the liner. We also added gas logs since easier for use vs. wood. Pratt's price was better than their competitors, and they are CSIA certified and felt confident in their skills to do the proper fix. Keep in mind, one of the companies we asked (also CSIA certified and well reviewed on Angie's list) would not even take on this job because they thought it was too complex - they recommended Pratt or a well-known competitor. Pratt arrived on-time and was very professional and thorough throughout the repairs. They moved furniture out of the way, put down drop clothes and a HEPA vacuum to prevent dust from spreading around the house. All of the workers were friendly and professional. The job ended up being more complicated than expected, given how much mortar was used to insulate in the old liner. They had to remove parts of the liner piecemeal since it was so cemented in. I think it is safe to say this may have been one of the most difficult they had ever tried to remove. Nonetheless, they got it out. They did have to cut 2 small holes in the chimney brick to access certain parts (we had discussed this as a possibility initially). The workers stayed pretty late that day to finish the job - until about 8pm, and actually had extra guys come to help since it was complicated. They had to come back a 2nd day to finish the chimney cap and gas logs, which was understandable given how long it took. They went the extra mile and even painted the bricks they put back in to match the rest of the painted chimney, and also painted our upstairs chimney to make it look better while we wait to decide about fixing it. The fireplace now works great and we are very happy with the gas log set. There are now no draft issues with the properly sized liner, and the energy-efficient damper is better than what we had before. If needed when we sell the house, future owners could convert back to wood-burning if we needed by simply removing the logs. The old broken chimney is fixed! Overall we couldn't be happier with the service and professionalism of Pratt. They did the job right, even though it was more complex, didn't add on any extra charges because of this, and at a better price that competitors. Pratt Chimney is an outstanding company. I would highly recommend them for any chimney work, even complex jobs. Thanks again for the great work. 2 holes had to be cut in the masonry of the chimney to get proper access to remove the old liner. e masonry chimney had previously been re-lined, but not done properly. This made the job somewhat complex - the existing undersized liner had to be removed, and a new one installed. We had several quotes from 3 companies. One said too complex to do, so would not do the work. Pratt and another competitor both recommended similar fix - removal of the old"





+2

Serving Des Plaines, IL and surrounding areas
Approved
In business since 1997
Free estimates
Emergency services offered
"We had chimney work done by Chimney USA, Inc. They did a good job. We had 2 chimneys repaired as well as flashing over porch area. Mirna was great in setting things up. Chris W. and Rafael were great at doing the work."

Serving Des Plaines, IL and surrounding areas
Approved
In business since 1989
Emergency services offered
Warranties offered
"Anthony and Brandon were excellent, extremely professional and knowledgeable! Anthony and Brandon repaired our chimney and installed a new damper and cap and beautiful new logs in under 2 hours! Both men were very friendly and answered all our questions. We couldn't be more excited about our new fireplace and cannot wait to show it off! We highly recommend A-1 Safety Chimney Service and Anthony and Brandon, they exceeded our expectations and we couldn't be happier!! Thank you Anthony and Brandon and A-1 Safety!!!"





+17

Serving Des Plaines, IL and surrounding areas
Approved
In business since 2020
Free estimates
Emergency services offered
"Rebuilt chimney & converted wood burning fireplace to gas. Great service & value."





+34

Serving Des Plaines, IL and surrounding areas
Approved
Free estimates
Emergency services offered
Warranties offered
"The owner Eric came out personally to inspect and install the Fireplace Insert. This is my second year with the unit and I couldn't be more pleased. All the staff was very pleasant. I would definitely hire again."





+20

Serving Des Plaines, IL and surrounding areas
Approved
In business since 2021
Free estimates
Emergency services offered
"I was very empressed with the technician and how would not give up and got my fireplace working again"





+37

Serving Des Plaines, IL and surrounding areas
Approved
Super Service Award Winner
In business since 2019
Free estimates
Customers say: True professional
"Franco’s Fireplaces were professional, responsive and economical. They did a quality job at a great price."





+12

Serving Des Plaines, IL and surrounding areas
Approved
Super Service Award Winner
In business since 2017
Free estimates
Emergency services offered
"Rob was very knowledgeable and steered us in the right direction for our chimney. After not having a working fireplace for 4.5 years we were thrilled that they fixed it!"

Serving Des Plaines, IL and surrounding areas
Approved
In business since 1964
Free estimates
Warranties offered
"The chimney project went smoothly. The result of the initial work on the fireplace was less satisfying. Richard Olsen, the owner, agreed with me and had the work redone. He made sure that the end result was something that we both were happy with. I was impressed by his professionalism and the pride he took in the work done by his company. I will not hesitate to hire him again or to recommend him."





+15
Some cities, like New York City, ban wood-burning fireplaces altogether. In places like Colorado and the California Bay Area, laws dictate when you can use your wood-burning fireplace based on air quality. Since regulations vary by location, it's best to consult a local contractor familiar with your area's laws. You can also check the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website for state ordinances and regulations.
Yes, you can add a fireplace to your existing home, but it requires careful planning and professional evaluation. You'll need to construct a safe chimney, ensure proper ventilation, and comply with local building codes and HOA regulations. This project involves significant structural modifications and specialized labor, so hiring a qualified fireplace contractor is essential to ensure safety and code compliance.
Fireplaces enhance a home's value because they create a warm and inviting atmosphere while adding a distinctive architectural feature. A fireplace not only elevates a residence’s appeal but also contributes to greater market value. Industry research confirms that homes with fireplaces command higher sale prices, and homeowners benefit from an improved living environment.
Yes, installing a fireplace increases your home insurance costs because it raises the risk of fire and may require additional coverage. A fireplace demands dedicated safety inspections and documented maintenance, and insurers enforce stricter requirements, which drive higher premiums. Homeowners must consult their insurance providers and adhere to regular inspection schedules to manage these increased costs.
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