Winston’s Chimney Service

Rob from Winstons did a great job resurfacing our fireplace flue. We also had quotes from other firms, but selected Winstons (and particularly Rob) due to recommendations from people we trust

I have had three poor experiences with this company. They are unreliable. It shouldn’t take 7 — 12 weeks to have gutters cleaned. I would call and ask if they were coming and they would say they would be there at the end of the week and they would not show up. I think they aren’t interested in cleaning gutters at all but they advertise that gutter cleaning is part of their business. My quote in June 2015 was $ 170 and they showed up at the end of August 2015 and my recent quote was for $ 300 and they never showed up. I wish they had just said they weren’t interested because I could have had it done by now. I called two other companies who quoted far less than $ 300 and I am choosing one who is coming next Tuesday.

Winston’s has maintained and repaired my chimney for several years. Punctual, efficient, and a great price. A local jewel

Quick, professional and punctual. Great quality of work and knowledgeable to make the correct recommendations.

Winston’s Chimney Service. There is no WIN in Winston’s Chimney service. You will LOSE!!!
Sure they MAY have garnered those impressive 5 star ratings from people who have amazed 2 – 5 ratings, and one of them happens to be a chimney service? That’s pretty believable.
Winston’s Chimney Service is a losing service. They were tasked with servicing us. But they FAILED. The inspection from Montgomery County FAILED them. You would think that if your business is chimney, you would know how to pass inspection. A SIMPLE step was NOT done properly!
The best part is trying to get Winston’s Chimney Service to come back to fix it. It is a NO-​WINston situation. Three attempts at arranging for a «window of 4 hours» for the highly talented failures to come fix the problem that they should have done properly the first time.
The only thing they are good at is making excuses:
1…wrong week
2…wrong time
3…and wrong phone number
When they did show up, the technicians were eating during their time working. That’s impressive. I don’t mind you eating if you could get the job done… the FIRST time.
Winston Chimney Service is your no-​Win service. You would have better luck calling for Santa Clause to fix your chimney than having Winston Chimney Service. Ho ho ho.

Winston’s was amazing. Quick custom support and outstanding service. I called them when my AC went out in my rental condo and my tenants just got home from the hospital neonatal intensive care unit with their special needs infant. They rushed over a portable unit to keep the infant cool and reduced the threat of infection while they got the unit to install. The tenants raved on the professionalism and how great the installers and the phone support was with the status order and install timing of the new unit. It’s unanimous the tenants and myself couldn’t be happier! Great job guys!

My experience with Winston Chimney was excellent. Jeff worked to explain how to best rework my 1940s chimney to make it safe and reliable. He even reworked my old damper because I wanted to keep the old school charm of the original fireplace surround. Winston ended up installing heat shield in our chimney which was a easy process. All of the folks were timely and professional. I like the whole install team I worked with including Jeff, John, Rob, Adam and the coordinators I talked with over the phone.

We have a 125+ year old house in Old Town Alexandria. This home has four fireplaces, all of which needed a liner and one fireplace needed to be closed off. This is the second time we have used Winston’s Chimney to install chimney liners — the first time was in July 2014, and the most recent install was just done on January 30, 2015. Our budget would only allowed us to do this in two phases. This install was a bit more complicated because our furnace vented through one of the chimneys, and loose falling bricks from inside the separate fireplace chambers were a concern. We appreciate it that Winston’s crew completed the second phase liner install within one day. Relining a chimney is a very messy job, but Winston’s crew took the time to clean up all of the dust and debris inside the house that usually accompanies this type of install. We would recommend Winston’s to others.

Winston’s maintains our twin chimneys. They consistenly provide the highest quality service. Their team arrives on time when scheduled and protects the interior of the rooms from dirt and dust from the work. Winston’s installed a new flue in each chimney; after the new flue was installed we no longer experience smoke infiltration into the house. They also periodically clean and inspect the chimneys.

Mr. Lucas and sons used to own T.B. Lucas Mechanical, they recently sold their business to Winston’s Chimney Service, so this is the first time they have been back under the new management. Mr. Lucas and sons have serviced my HVAC system for about 4 years now and I have always been supper impressed with how much they care and take pride in their work. Extremely thoughtful, careful, professional, and expertly detail oriented! I won’t have anyone else work on my unit! Mr. Lucas is also licensed to repair and manage gas fireplaces so I will have him back next year for that too! Thank you for your thoughtful care! I truly appreciate YOU very much.

We use and trust Winston’s Chimney to take care of our chimney in Fairfax, VA. They are thorough and professional. Their crews are friendly and answer any questions we have had before we even asked them. As other reviewers have said, they take the time to do the job correctly the first time and to fully explain what they did as well as any problems. Whenever there has been a problem, they offer reasonably priced solutions. We have even called them with questions. They returned calls promptly or their office staff was well trained and could answer all of our questions.

Update: sent the company an email asking them not to deposit my check and providing the same information I provided here. Unsurprisingly, they deposited it the same day they got my email. Do not use this company.

We have been customers of Winston’s for 20 years. No longer. Please read this review in its entirety to find out why.
Winston’s had done a fine job of cleaning our chimney over 20 years, and on that basis would have earned a 5-​star rating. Our 2 stars in this rating are in recognition of this 20 years of fine service. But read on.
In 2014, Winston’s added a camera apparatus to its chimney inspection program. The resulting photo revealed a supposed «defect» in our chimney said to warrant a $ 9,000 (!) repair.
In all fairness, the Winston’s employee who inspected our chimney added verbally that the «defect» might be minor and that the chimney might operate perfectly, which was to that employee’s credit. His written report, however, mentioned only the «defect» and the need for a $ 9,000 repair.
After the inspection, we called Winston’s to ask for a more cost effective repair option. A very nice employee (again, to Winston’s credit) scheduled a second inspection to view the chimney and suggest a more cost effective fix.
Winston’s never showed up for the second appointment. When we called to inquire about it, we were told by a manager that we could be «reassured» about the inspection results, and the fix would be $ 9,000. No, no other repair options would be possible. It was $ 9,000 or nothing. And the employee who scheduled the follow-​up visit had been wrong to do so.
As of November 2014, we have begun to use the chimney for winter 2014 – 2015. The chimney functions *perfectly*. There is no smoke residue in the house and our carbon dioxide alarms are silent. Our chimney’s performance is A-​1.
*The upshot: Winston’s tried to sell us a $ 9,000 chimney repair when none was needed. The company refused to re-​inspect its results or to propose a more cost-​effective repair option. After 20 years, Winston’s is losing us as a customer.*
**If Winston’s tries to sell you a costly chimney repair, test your fireplace first and DON’T take their word for it.**
If this review had been on the basis of our 2014 experience, our rating would be 1 star. We are adding a star for previous fine performance.
Note to Winston’s: We have no problem with your adding a camera aspect to your chimney inspections. We do have a problem with your pushing a $ 9,000 repair when none is needed. A better way to use the camera results would be to inform the homeowner that a *potential* problem existed and that Winston’s should be contacted if any problems were observed (smoke odor in the house after using chimney, carbon alarms sounding, etc.) As it is, you have lost a long-​term, reliable customer. As well, your employees were responsive and honest in dealing with us, but your manager was not. We suggest that you reassess.

I’ll try to keep this short.
I chose this company based on their online reviews. However, after my experience I can only surmise that these reviews, as well as the fact that this company shows up in the Fairfax County Contractors «Best Of», are a product of fabricated reviews.
I essentially paid these people $ 250 to vacuum the ashes out of a recently used fireplace.
Backstory: Recently moved into an older house and wanted to ensure that the chimney was structurally safe for use so I requested a chimney inspection, as well as sweep if necessary.
Dejuan and his partner arrived at appx 1100am. It took roughly 2 minutes from when they knocked on the door until I let them in as I was outside and didn’t hear the door. It took another 5 minutes for me to give them details, show them the 2 fireplaces and tell them I would be outside if they needed me.
I was told that I was «All Set», handed a bill for a «Chimney Sweep» @ $ 250 and provided little detail about work done that I didn’t have to wrestle out of them prior to their walking out my front door prior to 1130am.
The times are important here as Kenny from Winston’s would later tell me that he saw their van turning off at 11am arriving my house and back on at 1131am when leaving. I was told by Kenny that 30 minutes (which was actually closer to 20, given wait time, discussing work to be done, making another trip to van, then doing whatever before my being «all set» and returning to their van) was a perfectly normal time to inspect two, sixty year old chimney/​flue/​fireplaces and sweep one of them.
To that I say BS.
Per their website, Winston’s uses digital cameras and video recorders to inspect the in/​exterior of all client chimneys.
Are you honestly telling me that 25 minutes at best is enough time to inspect two chimneys/​flues, make a decision on whether a sweep is necessary and then to perform that sweep and clean up afterwards… all without ever getting on the roof?
Oh yeah, because I was outside the whole time they were inside and no one set foot on my roof. I asked about this after being informed of my «all set» status and was told they did get in my roof, «when they first got here», which is absolutely untrue, as, 1). I was outside within eye/​ear shot of the roof the entire time, and 2). I have bird screen/​caps on the chimney that are beat up and need replaced. These were not disturbed (they would have to be moved for a top-​down inspection) and I was not advised of their need to be replaced, something that should have been done during a quality inspection.
The bottom line is that Winstons handed me a $ 250 bill for someone to vacuum the ashes from recent fires out of my fireplace. No sort of structural or safety inspection took place.
What happens when I, or someone else Winstons has shorted on a real chimney inspection has a fire in their fireplace and burns their house down due to a crack or defect that should have been detected during inspection?
Sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen.
***UPDATE***
I discussed my concerns with Kenny at Winstons. Naturally, he fought and claimed that everything was done properly above-​board. However, when I asked for visual proof that my chimney was inspected (Website claims they use video and still cameras to inspect) I received nothing and was ultimately told I didn’t need to pay the invoice. Keep in mind I was never given any actual details on the condition of my 60 year old chimney, just that I was «all set».
These guys are crooks. If not the entire company, then just DeJuan and the other guy that showed up at my house. Like most chimney companies, they rely on the fact that their client is ignorant or unwilling to
get dirty, thus they can tell and charge you whatever they like.
If you have no concern for your family’s safety and want to pay $ 250 for someone to vacuum the ashes out of your fireplace, give Winstons a call!

Winston’s Chimney did a great job. They called ahead and said they were running ahead of schedule and were able to come out earlier than they originally thought. When they came out, they were polite, friendly and explained what they were doing. When I had any questions, they were more than happy to answer them for me. I will definitely be using them again next year.

We had a great experience last week with Winston’s. First, it was easy to schedule the appointment and the technicians came on time. When they arrived, they were cordial and explained the cost of the service and what they would be doing. I greatly appreciated the care they took to protect our hardwood floors during the cleaning, and they explained that we should open our windows to clear the air BEFORE they started, ensuring we did not have any smelly stuff or particles floating around the house. We really appreciated them coming and performing the cleaning service and not pushing any additional services or things we don’t need. They also provided a few helpful tips for the coming winter and wood burning. Nice crew and professional service — can’t ask for more!

Winston’s Chimney did a fantastic job for my buyer clients! They are purchasing an older home in Arlington and the home inspector suggested a level 2 inspection by Winston’s. This is the busiest time of year for the company, but they were able to get me an appointment very quickly. They also took the time to explain what could be wrong with the chimney flue so that we could work with the seller to come to a solution that worked for both parties.
Dejuan was Great! He allowed both agents to video tape the inspection and explained very simply and thoroughly what the issue was. He made sure that all of our questions were answered and then he recommended a solution that worked best for the current condition of the flues. It wasn’t the most expensive solution, but it was the best one for the situation.
I’ve used Winston’s before and will continue to use their services in the future.

highly recommend. Company is very responsive to email and phone. tech (lenny) was EXTREMELY professional, knowledgeable, and respectful to my home. He told me what the absolute minimum he would recommend and then he clearly explained what a few dollars more would give to help determine the exact scope of what I needed/​wanted to get done.
Very good experience overall.

Prompt, professional, knowledgeable, clean and thorough. I’ve been a contractor for many years. I’d be happy to have an employee like Lenny. Can’t say more.

We used Winston’s. They pointed out several major problems with our chimney costing nearly 3,000 dollars. A bit skeptical
I called around and didn’t tell the other companies what the Winston reps said. Two companies said there was nothing wrong with our chimney.