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American Chimney & Fireplace
Electrical Baseboard or Wall Heater - Repair, Chimney or Fireplace - Clean and Inspect, Brick or Stone Fireplace - Install,
About us
Doug and Frances Hetsch are the proud owners of American Chimney & Fireplace. This reputable company provides chimney and fireplace services certified by CSIA and NFI to the residents of Louisville and nearby areas. With our expertise in chimney sweeping since 2006, we offer a wide range of comprehensive care for chimneys and fireplaces. Whether sweeping, conducting video scan inspections, resolving chimney leaks, gas fireplace issues, or repairing your chimney top, our team of certified professionals at American Chimney & Fireplace is here to assist you. Your fireplace should be user-friendly, effortlessly manageable, and appealing. Our representatives will collaborate with you to develop a customized plan that brings your desired fireplace experience to life. We aim to enhance your comfort within the confines of your own
Business highlights
Se habla espanol
19 years of experience
Services we offer
Chimney Inspections, Chimney Sweep, Dryer Vent Cleaning, Fireplaces & Masonry, Gas and Wood Inserts, Masonry Repair, gas fireplace diagnosis & repair
Amenities
Free Estimates
Yes
Accepted Payment Methods
- CreditCard
Reviews
4.7253 Reviews
| Number of Stars | Image of Distribution | Number of Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| 84% | ||
| 9% | ||
| 3% | ||
| 2% | ||
| 2% |
Showing 1-25 of 253 reviews
Julie A.
Jan 2025
Many home insurance companies require permits and inspections for things like fireplaces and wood stoves and many also require the work be performed by certified installers. If you have a house fire due to faulty installation and don’t have these, your insurer may not pay up. When installers don't do this, liability is moved from the installer onto you. This company (formerly called All American Chimney Service until about a year ago) has been selling fireplace products FOR YEARS. Yet, a Louisville Metro government records search reveals they ONLY HAVE TWO completed permits in Jefferson County in the past SIX years. They are LEGALLY REQUIRED to obtain these permits. You can view their current and past records here: [*** Link removed ***] You can also type their competitors’ names in the search bar to see how they compare. You may want to contact some of the local news stations and ask them to do an investigation as to why WAVE Channel 3 has been running their commercials for a long time and has given them publicity four times as guests on “WAVE 3 Listens” without properly vetting them first, especially after ignoring the complaint I sent to the Troubleshooter in July of 2023. It’s not like they weren’t told. If you have had issues with this company, one of the most effective things you can do is file an ethics complaint with the agencies that certify them. If they lose their certifications, they could go out of business. You can find those forms here: [*** Link removed ***] [*** Link removed ***] You need to file ethics complaints and Better Business Bureau complaints BEFORE they take legal action against you in the event you don't pay off the balance on any work you are not satisfied with.
Response from American Chimney & Fireplace
"We appreciate the opportunity to address this review. Our company holds an A+ BBB rating and over 1,000 five-star reviews for professionalism and adherence to safety and legal standards. 1. Permit Compliance: • Permits are regularly obtained, sometimes under a separate LLC or previous business names, a common industry practice. • Permit #BLD-FIR-23-00004 was properly obtained for this installation. 2. Inspection Results: • A 3/28/2023 inspection confirmed the stove met all major safety and code requirements. Two minor corrections were noted: • Adding a brace to the chimney (due to its 5’ height) • Applying fire-retardant foam around the pass-through. • These corrections were agreed to, at no cost, but were refused by the reviewer. 3. Installation Validation: • The manufacturer, Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), confirmed compliance with NFPA 211, NFPA 54, and Kentucky Residential Code. 4. Pipe Replacement: • The stove pipe was damaged in transport, and we promptly replaced it with new, undamaged sections at no charge. 5. Customer Agreement & Stove Suitability: • The customer researched the stove and confirmed its suitability for their space, which met all standards and codes. 6. Excessive Communication & Legal Action: • After over 100 calls and emails, the customer’s attorney withdrew. A mechanics lien was placed after the customer refused to fulfill their financial obligations. 7. Reputation & Expertise: • With over 30,000 satisfied clients in 18 years, our owner serves on the CSIA Board of Ethics and holds a Master Chimney Certification, a distinction held by fewer than 100 nationwide. We stand behind our work, which is validated by inspectors and certification bodies. Our commitment to professionalism remains unwavering."
John H.
Apr 2022
They replaced the cap. But bats got under the edge. When I called about it I was not called back for 4 days. I finally called again and spoke to Doug who told me that the language in their contract covers them because the caps are not an exact fit. He was not coming concerned that the reason we hired them was not fixed. Just that they were covered. He recommended critter rudder. Which still would not fix the problem or keep the bats out. When I asked directly if they were going to help he said no. I hung up.
Kern R.
Feb 2021
Due to pandemic, company unable to acquire materials. Company willing to refund my deposit. May try company in the future.
Response from American Chimney & Fireplace
"Thank you for your understanding during this challenging time. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by the pandemic affecting our material acquisition. We're glad to hear that you're considering us for future services, and we appreciate your patience and support. If you have any questions or need assistance in the meantime, please don't hesitate to reach out. Best regards, Your Friends at American Chimney & Fireplace"
Susan W.
Feb 2021
About 2 months after work was completed my husband and son were cleaning out the gutters and saw one whole side was not even done, he took pictures of it, called the company and emailed the pictures showing one side was not completed and here we are months later and no one has returned his calls or sent someone to repair the half done job, I do not recommend them, and I would never use them again.
Response from American Chimney & Fireplace
"I'm very sorry to hear about your experience. It’s frustrating to have a job done that doesn’t meet expectations, and it’s concerning that your husband hasn’t received a response despite reaching out. Your feedback is invaluable, and we want to make this right. Please contact us directly at 502-435-2364 so we can address your concerns and arrange for someone to assess the situation as soon as possible. Thank you for bringing this to our attention, and we hope to resolve it promptly. Best regards, Your Friends at American Chimney & Fireplace"
Steven J.
Nov 2020
Very thorough. Showed lots of pictures of issues. Friendly. Very professional
Response from American Chimney & Fireplace
"Thank you so much for your kind words, [Member Name Removed]! We're thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience with our team. Our goal is to provide thorough and professional service, and we're glad you found the pictures helpful in understanding the issues. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to assisting you with any future chimney needs! Best regards, Your Friends at American Chimney & Fireplace"
Janet K.
Sep 2020
Very well, they were very professional and left everything clean . Showed us pictures of the cleaning and showed us further repairs we need. No pressure or time for further repairs. Will certainly use this company again.
Response from American Chimney & Fireplace
"Thank you for the fantastic review, [Member Name Removed]! We're delighted to hear that you had a positive experience with our team. It's great to know that you found our service professional and thorough, and that the photos helped illustrate the work done and the recommendations made. We appreciate your trust in us and look forward to serving you again in the future! Best regards, Your Friends at American Chimney & Fireplace"
Renee K.
Apr 2020
they were professional explained what they were doing showed me their work cleaned everything up before leaving and checked to ensure it was working properly. Definitely a company I will use again!
Response from American Chimney & Fireplace
"Thank you for your wonderful feedback, [Member Name Removed]! We're thrilled to hear that our team provided professional service and took the time to explain their work. It's great to know that you appreciated the cleanup and the thoroughness in checking everything afterward. We look forward to assisting you again in the future! Best regards, Your Friends at American Chimney & Fireplace"
Jeanne F.
Apr 2020
Prompt, professional technicians, came in uniform, very respectful of my home and belongs, highly recommend! Dewayne was an extremely courteous and caring employee.
Response from American Chimney & Fireplace
"Thank you so much for your kind words, [Member Name Removed]! We’re delighted to hear that Dewayne and our team provided you with prompt and professional service while respecting your home. Your recommendation means a lot to us! We look forward to assisting you again in the future! Best regards, Your Friends at American Chimney & Fireplace"
Hanna B.
Apr 2020
Levi came out and cleaned my dryer vent. He explained how the process worked, and what to expect. Quick, clean job. He made sure he cleaned up after himself as well! Will definitely use AACS again.
Response from American Chimney & Fireplace
"Thank you for your fantastic review, [Member Name Removed]! We're thrilled to hear that Levi provided you with a quick and clean dryer vent cleaning experience while keeping you informed throughout the process. We appreciate your trust in All American Chimney Service and look forward to serving you again in the future! Best wishes, Your Friends at American Chimney & Fireplace"
Rob W.
Aug 2019
My review is somewhat mixed. I originally contacted the company moving into new residence wanting 5 chimneys inspected (level 2)/cleaned and to address leak which caused me to put Rubbermaid bins under ceiling in one area of home. They were quick to respond and quick inspected chimneys recommending I replace chase covers on 4 chimneys and until the could perform the work even put tarps over main leaking chimney. Up to this point service was outstanding. I scheduled the work and chase covers were replaced however leaking continued but to a much lesser degree. This is when the problems started as contacted the company multiple times with the promise, I would be contacted back which never happened. After making no progress on this front I was forced to speak with other company. I do believe they perform professional work initially but don’t see them willing to continue working with customer to pinpoint leaks if initial install doesn’t completely resolve problem as they claim on website.
Response from American Chimney & Fireplace
"Hi [Member Name Removed], Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We’re glad to hear that our initial response and service met your expectations, but we sincerely apologize for the ongoing issues with the leak and the lack of follow-up on our part. It’s concerning to us that you felt neglected after the initial work was completed. We strive to maintain strong communication with our clients, and it’s clear we fell short in this instance. Your feedback is important, and we will use it to improve our processes and ensure that we follow up effectively on all customer concerns. If you're open to it, we would appreciate the opportunity to address the remaining issues with your chimneys. Please feel free to reach out to us directly, and we’ll do our best to make this right for you. Thank you for your understanding, and we hope to regain your trust in the future. Best regards, Your friends at All American Chimney & Fireplace"
Connie M.
Jul 2019
Great customer service. Always on time or ahead of promised date. Called ahead of time for permission to start the next phase. Everyone seemed to care about doing the task well. Thorough and meticulous.
Response from American Chimney & Fireplace
"Hi [Member Name Removed], Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience with our team during your chimney rebuild. Providing great customer service and maintaining open communication is a priority for us, and we’re glad to see that reflected in your experience. Your kind words about our team’s thoroughness and dedication to quality mean a lot to us. If you need any further assistance in the future, please don't hesitate to reach out. We look forward to serving you again! Best regards, Your Friends at American Chimney & Fireplace"
Tyler B.
Dec 2018
The flue going from our water heater needed cleaned and they first advised me they were booked out for weeks. After talking with the office the got me an appointment the next day. They came out and cleaned the flue and advised me of issues with our set up and gave an estimate for a chimney cap. Everything was done professionally and explained. I highly recommend.
Response from American Chimney & Fireplace
"Hi [Member Name Removed], Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re delighted to hear that we could accommodate your appointment on such short notice and that our team was able to address your flue cleaning needs promptly. It’s great to know that you found our service professional and that our technician took the time to explain everything clearly. Your recommendation means a lot to us! If you have any more questions or need further assistance in the future, feel free to reach out. We look forward to helping you again! Best regards, Your Friends at American Chimney & Fireplace"
Elizabeth H.
Nov 2018
Levi did a fantastic job! He was punctual, thorough, and cleaned our chimney without making the least bit of mess in our living room. Then he walked us through a live video inspection of our chimney interior, showing us before and after images, as well as any areas of concern. Levi was super professional and easy to work with. Great experience!
Response from American Chimney & Fireplace
"Hi [Member Name Removed], Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that Levi provided you with such a positive experience during your chimney inspection and cleaning. It’s great to know he was punctual, thorough, and left your living room spotless! We're especially glad you appreciated the live video inspection and the opportunity to see the before and after images. Levi's professionalism and dedication to customer satisfaction are truly valued by our team. If you have any more questions or need assistance in the future, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We look forward to serving you again! Best regards, Your Friends at American Chimney & Fireplace"
Linda C.
Aug 2018
This has been a terrible experience. On May 21,2018 a service man came out and charged $99. for an estimate of repair. He said it would probably be $3500-$4000 depending on parts he may need for insert. Said he would have to research parts but I was able to supply parts list and was told that would make his job easier. I called him 2 weeks later and was told he had not heard anything from the parts supplier. Today is August 7th and have never been called of have not heard from All American. I do not recommend them, I feel they got their $99. and never intended to do this job.
Response from American Chimney & Fireplace
"Dear Ms. [Member Name Removed], First of all, please accept our sincere apologies for the failures on our part. The estimate should have been sent sooner. Please know that this is not behaviour that is considered acceptable by our company, and we have gone over the importance of being responsive with our technicians. Since this review was posted, the owner, Doug Hetsch has talked to your husband over the phone and we agreed on a solution to rectify this issue. Please let us know if there is anything else we can do to help you regarding your chimney. Thank you, Doug Hetsch"
Juli H.
Mar 2018
Leon was very good about taking his time, taking pictures to show me what needed to be done to completely fix my chimney (they did outside work). He had many suggestions if I wanted to have the work done a little at a time as my budget allowed, however, I had everything done all at once. The office staff was friendly. This was an all around good experience.
Response from American Chimney & Fireplace
"Hi [Member Name Removed], Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re delighted to hear that our technician took the time to explain everything clearly and provided you with pictures to illustrate the necessary repairs. It’s great to know that you found our team friendly and accommodating, and we appreciate your choice to have the work done all at once. We strive to provide a positive experience for our customers, and your feedback reassures us that we are on the right track. If you have any further questions or need assistance in the future, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you again for choosing All American Chimney Service! Best regards, Your Friends at American Chimney & Fireplace"
Sandy K.
Feb 2018
I picked this company because they were "A" rated on Angie's list along with several other's and they were having a special $20 off. Ryan came out and was very knowledgeable and thorough. We haven't had our chimney cleaned in over 10 years, which is why I felt it was about time! He vacuumed the inside of the fireplace insert, and then went outside onto roof to clean. We have a metal liner inside our chimney put in over 20 years ago. When Ryan came back inside the house, he opened up the fireplace insert door to show me the pile of creosote inside. Easily 2- 5 lb buckets full. It was overwhelming. I guess once every 10 years isn't enough! He did a great job and very pleased with the price. Recommend them highly. We then went to my daughters house to have them quote new stainless chase for Chimney . Already had 3 quotes from roofers. He was quick and sent me quote next day which was reasonable.
Sammy S.
Feb 2018
The two technicians were there less than 15 minutes. They cleaned the gas logs, found the gas line has been shut off. They told me I needed to call a plumber. When they gave me the bill, it was $129.00. I told them I shouldn’t have to pay that amount since they didn’t inspect my chimney. The technician said, “the gas logs are your chimney”. I didn’t understand that comment, that’s not possible. He then said he could go down on the bill. I ended up paying $69.00 for a service call. I feel I was being scammed for $129.00. I will not use this company again. I paid out $69.00 to have my gas logs brushed off and told to hire a plumber.
Response from American Chimney & Fireplace
"Hi, Thanks for reaching out. We're very serious about customer satisfaction and service, so I appreciate the time you took to let us know about your experience. However, there are some differences in what you've said and the technicians service report so we'll be sure to go back over this with our techs and make sure everything was handled properly. Regardless, please accept our apologies for not living up to your expectations for service. We understand how frustrating it can be when you've expected to get your gas fireplace working only to find out that the chimney has been permently sealed off and the gas line to your fire place has been removed. If you'd like to discuss anything further I'd be happy to clear things up over the phone. Feel free to give me a call at (502) 435-2364. Best regards, Doug Hetsch ( Owner AACS)"
Nancy S.
Jan 2018
Provided detailed report of the necessary corrections.
Response from American Chimney & Fireplace
"Thank you for the nice review. We are currently running a 5% discount on all estimated repairs and we also provide financing at low monthly rates. Maybe this helps. Best regards, Doug Hetsch"
Deborrah F.
Dec 2017
Was very thorough and informative
Response from American Chimney & Fireplace
"Thank you for your review, [Member Name Removed]! We're glad to hear that you found our inspection thorough and informative. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your feedback. If you have any further questions or need assistance in the future, feel free to reach out!"
Michael M.
Dec 2017
Did the work in a timely and professonal manor.
Response from American Chimney & Fireplace
"Thank you, we do our best. See you next year. Best regards, Doug"
Elaine C.
Nov 2017
Well. The men who replaced the chase were efficient, professional and courteous. No complaints. The workman who performed the remainder of the work at a later date was all of the above as well. He was extremely thorough, answered all of my questions and didn't,t waste time. Excellent worker. Thank you for jobs well done.
Response from American Chimney & Fireplace
"Thank you for the nice review, glad we could help. Best reguards, Doug Hetsch"
Donna R.
Nov 2017
excellent job
Response from American Chimney & Fireplace
"Thank you for the great review, We appreciate the business. Best Regards, Doug"
PHIL F.
Nov 2017
awesome! great service and friendly technician
Response from American Chimney & Fireplace
"Thank you for the great review, We appreciate the business. Best Regards, Doug"
Jim C.
Sep 2017
Very professional and kept us informed through the entire process.
Response from American Chimney & Fireplace
"When you happy we're happy. We try hard everyday thankyou for the great review. Best regards, Doug"
Elizabeth M.
Sep 2017
Very smoothly. Levi and another technician worked very hard and took care of everything. They were super professional and cleaned all the area. It was not cheap but we checked with friends and realized it was the going rate for all the work needed.
Response from American Chimney & Fireplace
"Thank you for your kind words, [Member Name Removed]! We're thrilled to hear that Levi and the team provided you with professional service and took great care in cleaning up afterward. We appreciate your understanding of the pricing and are glad to have been able to assist you with the vent pipe replacement. If you need anything else in the future, feel free to reach out!"
Licensing
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FAQ
American Chimney & Fireplace is currently rated 4.7 overall out of 5.
American Chimney & Fireplace accepts the following forms of payment: CreditCard
Yes, American Chimney & Fireplace offers free project estimates.
No, American Chimney & Fireplace does not offer eco-friendly accreditations.
No, American Chimney & Fireplace does not offer emergency services.
No, American Chimney & Fireplace does not offer warranties.