Level 1 sweep and inspection to the NFPA 211 annual standard - flue, crown, cap, and flashing checked and photographed
Chimney sweep logs do not sweep chimneys. They loosen some creosote - which then falls where a brush and vacuum still have to collect it.
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterFranchise FAQ
We field calls from owners, operators, and people who’ve never swept a flue in their life. Here are the questions we hear most, answered straight. No gloss. If you want the full picture, call the number at the bottom and ask.
Common Questions
Do I need chimney experience to own a franchise?
No. What you need is the willingness to run a disciplined operation. We train on the technical work, but the business runs on the Haven Standard, and that’s a set of practices you can learn in weeks. Plenty of our strongest owners came from sales, project management, or the military, not the trades. What matters more is that you can follow a written scope, put a price on a page before work starts, and make sure the photo record gets archived every single time.
What’s the total investment range?
Most owners are all-in between roughly $85,000 and $150,000 to get the truck, equipment, initial inventory, training, and the first months of operating capital squared away. That’s a range, not a guarantee; your territory, vehicle choices, and local licensing costs move the number. We’ll give you an itemized breakdown in the first conversation so you’re not guessing. What we won’t do is hide a fee and find it later.
Is financing available?
We don’t lend money, and we won’t pretend a lender will say yes. What we can tell you is that SBA-backed loans are commonly used for this type of business, and several owners have worked with local banks and credit unions they already had relationships with. We’ll walk you through what lenders typically ask for: a simple business plan, your personal financials, and the franchise agreement itself. Your numbers are your numbers.
Do I get an exclusive territory?
Yes. We define territories in writing before you sign, based on population and chimney density, not a radius pulled from the air. The point is that you’re not competing with the owner one town over for the same homes. Your territory is yours to work, and we don’t sell overlapping coverage. If a lead comes in from outside your map, it goes to whichever owner’s map it’s actually on.
How long does training take?
Plan on two weeks at our training facility, then a week in the field with an experienced tech working real jobs. That’s followed by ongoing support on your first dozen sweeps and inspections, because that’s where the habits set. You’ll learn the camera-scan inspection process, liner and flue conditions, the written-price system, and how to archive the photo record so it’s there when a customer asks what you found. You will not be handed a ladder and wished luck.
What are the ongoing fees?
The standard structure: a royalty percentage on gross revenue and a small marketing contribution that goes toward the brand-level systems and buying network. Exact percentages are in the disclosure document, and we’re happy to walk through them before you spend a dime. The royalty is the fee for the standard itself, the training, the documentation systems, and the purchasing power that keeps your material costs lower than a solo operator can get on their own. No hidden service fees. No surprises, which is the whole point.
How quickly can I be open?
Realistically, 60 to 90 days from signing to your first booked job. That includes training, equipment, licensing in your state, vehicle wrap, and building out your first month of appointments. Some owners move faster if their state licensing is quick and they already have a commercial vehicle. Others take a little longer. We’d rather you open three weeks later and be ready than open early and burn through your first customers.
What support do I actually get after opening?
The short version: a live person answers when you call, and you’ll have a named support contact from day one, not a ticket queue. You get the scheduling and documentation systems, the buying network for materials from DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, Olympia Chimney, Famco, and Copperfield, and ongoing technical support when you run into a liner condition you haven’t seen before. Marketing support covers your local listing strategy, review system, and the website structure. What we don’t do is run your business for you. That’s your job.
Who’s the right person for this?
Someone who can read a room and a spec sheet. This isn’t a passive investment, and it’s not a job where you sit in an office. You’ll be in homes, on roofs, and in front of customers who want to see what you saw. If you’re comfortable saying the price out loud before the work starts, and you’d rather show someone a photo than talk them into a yes, you’ll fit. If you want to be a franchise owner from the couch, this isn’t it.
What’s my next step?
Call (980) 580-8641 and ask for the franchise team. You’ll get a real person, a straight conversation about your area, and the numbers laid out in writing. If it’s not a fit, we’ll tell you. If it is, you’ll know what it costs and what you’re getting before anyone asks you to sign anything.
Still Have Questions?
Call (980) 580-8641 and ask. A live person answers, not a voicemail. Or send the form below and we’ll call you back with the numbers in writing before anyone asks you to commit.
Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner at Emberly Chimney Cleaners, operating under the Haven Standard since 2009.