With the arrival of chilly weather, many people are longing for a toasty fire in the fireplace and are looking to have their chimneys cleaned in preparation. Your Better Business Bureau is offering advice to help you know which businesses to trust and which to avoid, preventing your hard-earned dollars from going up in smoke.

Chimney sweeping is not something homeowners deal with often, so you may lack knowledge of the cleaning process. Many scammers take advantage of this and do shoddy work, or no work at all.

Many scam artists are advertising at a much lower price than legitimate businesses as a tactic to get in your door. Once in, they recommend additional work be done immediately, bullying the homeowner into additional, unnecessary work. Scam artists also target the elderly, making vague phone calls claiming they’ve done business with them in the past and it’s time for their annual sweep. Some people have reported calls stating the local fire department recommends the resident’s chimney be cleaned, recommending a particular chimney sweep and endorsing their services on behalf of the fire department. Fire departments do recommend having chimneys cleaned on an annual basis; however they don’t endorse any particular company or inspect chimneys.

Your BBB recommends using these helpful tips when hiring a chimney sweep:

Check out chimney sweeps. Always check with your BBB for a trusted chimney sweep in your area by visiting www.bbb.org or calling (937) 222-5825 or (800) 776-5301. Additionally, check with your local fire department for chimney care tips and chimney sweeps in your area.

Find out how long they’ve been in business. How long have they operated in your area? Find out if they offer current references or if you know anyone who has used their services in the past.

Ask if they have a valid business liability insurance policy. In the event of an accident, this policy keeps your home and belongings safe.

Find out if they’re certified through Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). CSIA is a national nonprofit agency with a certification program for chimney sweeps. Though this isn’t law, it’s recommended by the fire department, and speaks to the qualifications of the person or business you hire. Visit www.csia.org for a list of CSIA-certified chimney sweeps.

John North is president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau.