How to Start (and Grow) a Chimney Sweep Business in 2024

How Do You Start a Chimney Sweep Business?

Beginnings are almost always difficult, and starting a business is no exception. 

Here are eight steps to launch a new chimney sweep service company.

Let’s cover each of these steps in more detail. 

1. Get Certified

Having the proper certifications benefits small businesses, particularly when they start. 

For one, a certification helps new business owners learn about the job and industry. Secondly, a certificate can help improve a business’s credibility and trustworthiness with potential customers. 

Many homeowners will feel more comfortable placing their trust and property in the hands of a certified chimney sweep, believing they’re more likely to adhere to safety standards and provide quality services. 

One way to get a certificate in the industry is to enroll in a six-day workshop provided by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). Other certified instructors offer preparation courses throughout the country. 

To further deepen your knowledge and keep up with the latest trends, developments, and best practices in the chimney sweep industry, visit the National Chimney Sweep Guild and follow some of the best chimney sweep blogs. 

2. Create a Chimney Sweep Business Plan

Starting a new chimney sweep company requires developing a solid business plan, as it will lay the foundation for your long-term success. 

Here’s a summary of what to include in your business plan.

• The executive summary: Include your company’s mission, goals, and target market.

• Company description: Provide information such as the business name, location, history, business structure, and management team.

• Market research: Analyze your target market, industry trends, and competition in the chimney sweep industry. Also, outline how you plan to differentiate yourself from the competition.

• Services offered: Detail the chimney sweeping services you'll provide, such as chimney sweep cleaning, repairs, or inspections, and any unique services you may offer.

• Marketing and sales strategy: Outline your marketing tactics, from traditional methods to digital strategies like email, search engine optimization (SEO), and social media marketing.

• Operations and management: Detail your business operations. Mention your headcount, equipment, suppliers, and subcontractors.

• Financial projections: To demonstrate financial viability, include relevant economic data such as cash flow forecasts, income statements, and break-even analysis. 

A comprehensive business plan will give you a roadmap for long-term success in the chimney sweep industry.

3. Get Financed

Every new business, including chimney sweep companies, needs an initial capital infusion to cover startup costs and ensure smooth operation. 

There are several options to consider when getting financing for a new business. These include the following. 

• Bank loans: Local banks and various credit unions offer small business loans to startup organizations. However, they require some form of collateral, such as business or personal assets, and tend to have higher interest rates than SBA loans. They can also have stringent qualification criteria for those applying for a loan. 

• SBA loans: Small Business Administration (SBA) loans are a better alternative to bank loans as they offer more favorable terms, such as extended repayments and lower interest rates. They still require some collateral, extensive documentation, and a reasonably long application process. 

• Investors: Different types of investors, like venture capitalists or angel investors, are another option when it comes to financing. They provide capital in exchange for equity. This option means that you’ll have to relinquish part of the decision-making, which can lead to disagreements or conflicts of interest. 

• Personal savings: Business entrepreneurs can also use their savings or assets to finance their businesses. This option allows them to maintain complete control over the company and is a good way of avoiding debt.

4. Register Your Chimney Sweep Business 

All new chimney sweep businesses need to register with the proper authorities to comply with state and federal regulations. 

Here are the steps for registering your chimney sweep business.

Choose a business name and trademark it: Pick a business name no one uses. It’s also a good idea to trademark this business name to prevent another business from using it without your permission. 

Select a business structure: Decide the legal entity you’ll use to register your business. Options include:

• Sole proprietorship: Like self-employment, sole proprietorships offer no legal separation between the business and its owner, exposing personal assets to business liabilities. 

• Partnership: Two or more owners share profits and liabilities using the ratio they decide on in the partnership agreement. Each partner reports their taxes separately.

• Limited liability company (LLC): Protects personal assets from business liabilities and allows members to choose corporate tax rates or pass-through taxation.

• Corporation: This offers the best liability protection but exposes the shareholders (owners) to double taxation—tax at the corporate level and again at the shareholder level when they receive dividends. 

Remember that the registration process depends on which option you choose for your chimney sweep business. 

Get an EIN: Business owners must apply for an employer identification number (EIN) from the IRS. This number helps you pay taxes, open business bank accounts, and hire employees.  

5. Handle Finances & Accounting

New chimney sweep businesses must open a business bank account and handle their accounting needs. 

Let’s break down these two points to see how and why they’re essential. 

Open a business bank account.

As a self-employed chimney sweep professional, you must open a separate business bank account to separate your business and personal finances. This makes tracking your company’s finances and filing your taxes easier. 

Similarly, you can also consider getting a business credit card to build up credit, improve your cash flow, and track expenses. Look for banks that offer the best interest rates and low transaction fees. 

Set up your accounting process.

Proper accounting and bookkeeping procedures are needed to ensure compliance with all tax regulations and maintain accurate financial records.

This process can be relatively time-consuming and laborious, with little to no room for error.

This is why a professional accounting software solution like ServiceTitan's Accounting tool can be helpful. 

It’s a system that streamlines and automates your daily accounting tasks. Through features like bill management, invoice generation, payment collection, and reconciliation, you’ll always have access to accurate financial records and insights. 

More specifically, ServiceTitan’s Field Service Accounting tool helps with the following:

• Front office accounting needs: Tracks all payments and invoices directly from the platform. You can also automatically group multiple payments based on their frequency. 

• Accounts payable: Streamlines the accounts payable management process by allowing you to enter, approve, or send payments and invoices to vendors. You can also review or export all final transactions to your preferred accounting software like QuickBooks, Intacct, or Viewpoint Vista. 

• Accounts receivable: Allows you to track all outstanding invoices, monitor invoice aging, payment status, and bank deposits. 

Fluesbrothers Chimney and Fireplace used to find it challenging to know their exact financial condition. However, after switching to ServiceTitan, one major advantage they discovered was the multiple reports they could create.

“With our old program, if we wanted to know how many crown seals we did last year and what our revenue was, there was no way to pull that data without going through it by hand,” co-founder Jeremy Biswell says.

 “Madison's gone in and just pulled that report…It helps us look at our services. Is there something we need to drop because we're not making money at it, or is there something that we need to ramp up because we're making a lot of money at it but not maximizing that potential?”

“The ROI has been phenomenal,” he adds.

Pro tip: Consider using our free invoice generator to generate invoices for your clients from the office or in the field. 

6. Invest In Chimney Sweep Equipment

As a chimney sweep business, you’ll need to invest in the proper tools and equipment to do your job effectively. 

Although the type of tools you’ll need depends on your services, the basic equipment includes the following: 

• Rotary cleaning rods

• Cleaning and wire brushes

• Miscellaneous tools (hammer, chisel, pliers, crowbar)

• Vacuum cleaner

• Grout bag

• Fireplace cleaning equipment

• Ladders

• Angle grinders

• Drill and impact driver set

• Power tool batteries

• Hang light

• PPE (masks, leather gloves, harnesses, hard hats)

While the initial investment in tools and equipment can be steep—somewhere around a few thousand dollars—you don’t need to buy everything at once.

You can start with the essentials and invest in additional tools as you complete more projects. You can also consider buying used equipment to save costs or explore rental options for temporary needs.

Once your tools, equipment, and materials pile up, investing in a system to manage your inventory would be a good idea. 

A system like ServiceTitan’s Contractor Inventory Management software can streamline your inventory workflows and monitor stock levels.

You can use this system for

• Equipment tracking: You can use barcode stickers on your equipment for better organization and history. 

• Materials tracking: Track all materials used on a job for better reporting. 

• Purchase order management: Track and manage all purchase orders and returns directly from the platform. 

• Inventory management: Chimney sweep businesses can also use the software to organize their tools, equipment, materials, and other inventory into trucks and warehouses. 

Equipment history: Chimney sweeps can also get better control over their inventory and minimize job delays by having access to equipment history for every client. Field technicians can reserve and request necessary tools, equipment, and materials.  

7. Decide on Your Pricing 

Next, chimney sweep companies must adequately price their services to maximize profits and appeal to potential customers. 

Key elements that go into this process include the following:

• Labor cost estimates: Analyze the average labor hours going into every project. 

• Material costs: Determine the material expenses based on the project’s scope and complexity.

• Analyze your overhead: Consider fixed expenses and overhead such as insurance costs, equipment maintenance, and energy usage. 

• Determine the profit margin: Set a target margin that will always ensure profitability. 

• Factor in unexpected expenses: Almost every project will encounter unforeseen situations requiring additional services or unexpected costs. For example, material costs may increase, or equipment may break down mid-project. So, include a buffer to cover unforeseen circumstances.

• Consider market rates: Look at your competitors' prices and model your pricing accordingly. 

• Possible discounts: Depending on the circumstances, you may consider offering discounts such as seasonal promotions or volume discounts. 

Considering the abovementioned key elements, you can use our labor rate calculator to help you determine your chimney sweep services costs.

Picking a billing method and deciding whether to charge an hourly or flat rate is crucial to deciding how much to charge. 

Each method has pros and cons. For example, hourly pricing charges clients based on the time spent and materials used. This provides transparency, but customers may complain when you exceed the predicted time frame.

Alternatively, the flat rate model charges customers an upfront price regardless of the time it takes. This approach generally shortens the billing cycle, promotes high performance, and minimizes the chance of clients wanting to renegotiate prices. 

You can also use ServiceTitan Pricebook Pro, a software solution that can help you with your pricing strategy. 

It keeps an updated log of pricing averages for your services in your area so you can always determine where you stand among your competitors.

Technicians and sales reps can use this tool to present potential customers with high-quality images, descriptions, and explainer PDFs to sell service offerings.

8. Get Chimney Sweep Business Insurance

The last step to starting your business is getting the right chimney sweep insurance policy. This offers liability coverage, protecting you, your clients, and your employees in the event of accidents or unforeseen circumstances. 

The common types of insurance you’ll need for your chimney sweep company include the following.

1. General liability insurance: Covers any property damage, bodily injury, and personal injury related to your business operations. 

2. Commercial property insurance: Protects the company’s property—tools, equipment, materials, and other inventory—against damage or loss due to theft, fire, or natural disasters.

3. Workers' compensation insurance: This mandatory insurance policy in most states covers any employee’s medical expenses and lost wages arising from work-related injuries. 

4. Professional liability insurance: Protects you from negligence claims. This policy is also known as Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance.

5. Commercial auto insurance: Covers company vehicles in the event of damage or accidents.

6. Umbrella insurance: Offers extra coverage beyond the liability limit of other policies.

We advise contacting your commercial insurance agent to determine which policies best suit your needs. 

These eight steps will help you set the foundations for a successful chimney sweep business. 

Let’s now focus on some best practices for growing your business sustainably. 

How Do You Grow a Chimney Sweep Business?

Now that you know how to start a chimney sweep business, it’s time to grow it into a successful and profitable organization. Here are seven ways to do so.

1. Invest in people

The success of almost any business lies in its people. If you invest the time, energy, and resources in your employees, there’s a much higher chance that they’ll perform well and make great impressions on customers. 

One effective way to achieve this is to provide your staff with the right tools and technology to help them do their jobs more easily and efficiently. 

For example, ServiceTitan’s Call Booking software helps customer service reps (CSRs) see who’s calling before they pick up, allowing them to greet the customer by name. Such personalization enhances the customer experience.

The system also empowers CSRs to ask the right questions and collect the necessary information technicians need for each job using call scripts and custom prompts. 

CSRs can also collect information using drop-down menus to input relevant information rather than typing out the responses, which helps them stay attentive to the call. 

Every information your CSRs collect reaches field technicians via the ServiceTitan Field Service App, on their mobile device or tablet.

Field technicians can see the customer’s name, address, contact information, critical property data, CSR notes, and outstanding estimates. They also have access to a recording of the initial call. 

ServiceTitan’s Field Service App also provides field techs with all the necessary forms clients may need to sign at every project stage. The app also has an up-to-date pricebook and a simple checkout process that can capture credit card, check, and cash payments. 

2. Create a digital marketing strategy

Digital marketing involves using various online channels to promote your brand, products, and services to your target audience. 

Like other chimney sweep marketing strategies, digital marketing aims to enhance visibility, attract leads, and foster engagement. 

Here are some of the most effective digital marketing strategies for chimney sweep businesses. 

Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising

Running PPC campaigns on platforms like Google Ads lets you bid on ad placement at the top of search results pages, paying only when users click on the ads. 

With a tool like ServiceTitan Home Services Marketing software, you can track the effectiveness of your PPC campaigns, create trackable phone numbers for each campaign, and use the heat map to see exactly where your ads are performing. 

The platform is also equipped with Google Ads and Analytics integrations and an Ads Optimizer feature that uses ad conversion data for better targeting.

Another Home Services Marketing software tool is the Local Services Ads integration. This tool automatically captures all leads and job bookings from your local services ads and puts them into the ServiceTitan dashboard so you don’t lose potential revenue. 

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Chimney sweep SEO is about optimizing your website content to increase organic traffic and search rankings, ultimately driving more qualified leads to your business.

An often overlooked aspect of SEO is managing a company’s online reputation, which improves local search rankings. 

With ServiceTitan’s Marketing Pro — Reputation tool, you can centrally monitor what your clients say about you on review sites. 

The platform tracks over 60 review sites and platforms, such as Google Reviews, Yelp, Facebook, or Foursquare, where you can review and update your business listing information simultaneously and respond to feedback. 

It also automates follow-up review requests whenever you complete a chimney sweep project, redirecting your clients to a preferred review platform where they can give feedback. 

Using the Listings Scan tool, you can also check how your company appears across different business listings. This helps you ensure your business name, address, and phone number are consistent across the internet, which can help increase your local search rankings.

Email marketing

Chimney sweep businesses that send personalized and highly-targeted emails to leads and customers can nurture relationships, promote services, and drive conversions. 

With ServiceTitan Marketing Pro — Email, your chimney sweep company can create a custom audience based on specific criteria, such as job history, open estimates, memberships, equipment history, and more.

The tool also gives you access to pre-built templates tailored to the home services industry. With just a few clicks of a button, you can design eye-catching emails, filled with your brand assets. 

ServiceTitan Marketing Pro — Email also shows exactly which emails are driving the most revenue, so you discover areas for improvement. 

Social media marketing

Social media marketing provides ample opportunity for your chimney sweep business to connect with the vast audience of prospective customers using social media.

It’s excellent for increasing brand awareness, driving lead generation, and engaging with potential customers. 

You can use social media platforms to showcase your expertise through before-and-after photos and videos and partake in relevant conversations by offering tips, tricks, and maintenance advice. 

You can also run targeted ads to reach potential customers and boost referrals. 

3. Provide a superb customer experience

It's no secret that customer service ranks high in customer retention, satisfaction, and referrals. 

According to the State of the Connected Customer report, 80 percent of customers say a company's experience is as valuable as its products and services. Therefore, it’s paramount to provide stellar customer service immediately. 

Communication is key here, and you should always keep your clients updated at every stage of the job cycle. 

With ServiceTitan’s Customer Experience system, you can send your clients SMS appointment notifications and reminders, letting them know when your technicians will arrive. 

With the tech tracking feature, they can also see where the technician’s truck is on the map in real time, so they can rest assured that you’ll arrive on time for the appointment. 

4. Market your business offline 

Offline marketing tactics are a great way to complement your online efforts and reach potential customers who are not active online. 

Here are some effective offline marketing strategies for new chimney sweep businesses: 

• Flyers: Eye-catching flyers with compelling messaging and contact information are a great way to introduce yourself to your local area. Since this is more of a ‘carpet bombing’ approach, focusing on neighborhoods or areas with a relatively high chimney density, such as residential suburbs is advisable. This way, you can minimize your costs. 

• Outdoor advertising: You can also consider investing in outdoor media like billboards or signage in high-traffic areas. Ensure the message is memorable, concise, and prominently displayed so passers-by can read and remember it. 

• Radio ads: Using local radio stations to broadcast ads can also effectively market your brand and attract potential customers. Craft a message highlighting your unique value proposition and prompting listeners to visit your website or contact you for more information. 

• Direct mail: An even more effective offline marketing strategy is to design and deliver direct mail campaigns to homeowners in your service area. You can include special offers or discounts to incentivize recipients to schedule your chimney sweep services. 

With a tool like ServiceTitan Marketing Pro — Direct Mail, you can design eye-catching postcards using a simple drag-and-drop builder. The tool also lets you target your existing customers or new potential customers in specific service areas. You can even filter the audience based on existing property data stored in the platform. You can also track deliverability and see which campaign generates revenue. 

5. Partner up with other local businesses

Chimney sweep contractors stand to gain a lot from partnering with businesses in their area. It helps them expand their reach, build their business, and even expand their service offerings. 

Here are some potential partnerships and how they could benefit your new chimney sweep business: 

• Real estate agencies often need chimney inspections and cleaning services for the properties they list on the market. Establishing a partnership with these agencies can generate a steady stream of projects. 

• Property management firms need chimney cleaning and maintenance services for their rental properties. Establishing a relationship with these types of businesses can result in recurring business.  

• HVAC and chimney sweep services often go hand in hand. This is especially true in cold climate areas, where many homeowners have both utilities. Partnering with an HVAC contractor can lead to many cross-promotion opportunities.

• Home inspectors frequently recommend chimney inspectors and cleaners to homebuyers. Partnering with home inspectors can result in more business for your organization. 

• Construction and remodeling companies are often involved in projects that require a trusted contractor to handle fireplace construction or renovations.

• Landscaping and outdoor living companies occasionally request clients to construct fire pits or outdoor fireplaces. These companies can refer customers to your business.  

• Fireplace and stove retailers can be great long-term partners. They can recommend your business whenever one of their customers requires installation, maintenance, cleaning, or repairs. 

• Some insurance companies, especially in areas where wood burning is common, will need chimney inspections to validate homeowners' insurance policies.

While this list is not exhaustive, it still shows the potential benefits of partnering with other local businesses in your area. 

Remember that the long-term success of these types of partnerships lies in mutual benefit. This can include reciprocal referrals, joint marketing efforts, volume discounts, etc. 

6. Attend trade shows

Networking within your local business community is an especially important and effective way to form many of the partnerships mentioned above. 

New chimney sweep business owners can showcase their services, expose their brands, and gain credibility by attending trade shows. 

Here are some tips and best practices for making the most of your trade show attendance: 

• Research and choose trade shows that cater to the chimney sweep industry or target audiences that may be interested in your services. 

• Design an attractive booth that immediately showcases your services, communicates your brand’s message, and encourages interactions with those present. 

• Take the opportunity to network with the other attendees for potential partnerships. Walk around the trade show and visit other booths. Remember always to have business cards on hand. 

• If possible, bring an interactive element to your booth. Informative or live presentations can educate those present about safety measures, chimney sweeping techniques, or the latest industry trends. 

• Always collect contact information from those interested in your services and follow up with personalized emails or phone calls. You can nurture your leads, potential future partners, or employees. 

• After each trade show, analyze and evaluate your performance. Gather feedback wherever possible, identify areas for improvement, and apply these improvements in future trade shows. 

7. Create a referral program

A referral program is a marketing technique that encourages existing clients or partners to refer new customers to your business in exchange for an incentive such as a reward or a discount. 

Here are some valuable tips to help your new chimney sweep business develop such a program.

• Define the program's goals: Determine your goal with the referral program. This can include increasing your customer base, boosting sales, getting qualified employees, or attracting potential partners. 

• Identify worthy incentives: Decide what rewards or incentives will appeal to the referrer and customer. Examples include discounts on future services, free inspections, or gift cards.

• Design and create referral materials: To promote the program, develop marketing materials like referral cards, email templates, or social media graphics.  

• Promote the program: Promote your referral program through various channels, such as social media, email newsletters, radio ads, or word-of-mouth.

• Track, monitor, and optimize: Use referral program software to track referrals, monitor performance, and ensure rewards are always distributed accurately. You can make adjustments and maximize the ROI by monitoring the program's performance.

If you need inspiration or additional tips, check out our ServiceTitan Customer Referral Program.

Over to You

Starting and growing a new chimney sweep business is no easy task. It involves a lot of hard work and dedication, but it’s well worth the effort. 

By following this guide, aspiring entrepreneurs like yourself can lay a solid foundation for building and expanding a successful business.  

Up-and-coming chimney sweepers can easily manage their businesses with a comprehensive chimney sweep software solution. 

ServiceTitan is an all-in-one roofing business software solution built to help service companies consolidate their business operations, boost revenue, and drive growth. Our award-winning, cloud-based platform is trusted by more than 100,000+ contractors across the country.