Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I have my chimney swept?

Did you know most house insurers will void your insurance if you don’t have your chimney swept at least once a year, even if you haven’t used your fire at all? Thats right, depending on the fuel you use you should have at least one sweep annually or two if you live in a thatched property. It is important to book an annual sweep not only for the health of your appliance and flue system but also for the health of you and your family, unswept flues can become degraded or blocked from buildups like tar or creosote, this can lead to hazards like chimney fires or carbon monoxide poisoning.

Below is a guide to how frequently you should have your chimney swept.
Wood: Up to four times a year dependant on use.
Smokeless coal: At least once a year.
Coal: Twice a year.
Oil: Once a year.
Gas: Once a year.

Will I need to prep my room before my appointment?

Chimney sweeping is a messy business, fortunately I am yet to make a mess and pride myself on keeping it this way. For sweeping stoves and small open fires I use a combination of a Dustcontrol vacuum and sponges to keep all soot and debris within the fire and out of your room. For larger open fires a sheet will be propped up to cover to opening to contain the soot. With this knowledge in mind I hope you feel confident in using my services but it is completely up to you whether you want to cover your furnishings prior to my arrival.

 

How long will my appointment take?

Generally a basic sweep will take around 20-30 minutes, this time may differ for some open fires and if your house is more than two stories tall.

For a sweep and service of a stove will take anywhere from 40-60 minutes, this may also differ depending if your stove requires replacements of perishables such as door rope or fire bricks.

Terms and conditions

Terms and Conditions of Service
 MJ Sweeps – Chimney Sweep Services
 Effective Date: 8th June 2025

1. Introduction

Welcome to MJ Sweeps. By booking our services or using our website (https://www.mjsweeps.co.uk/), you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, please refrain from using our services.

2. Company Information

Business Name: MJ Sweeps
Business Structure: Sole Trader
Owner: Max Johnston
Contact: maxjohnstonsweeps@gmail.com 07311 256184
Website: https://www.mjsweeps.co.uk/

3. Services

We provide professional chimney sweeping and associated services. A full list of services can be found on our website. All work is carried out to a high standard in accordance with industry best practices and applicable safety regulations.

4. Bookings and Cancellations

  • Bookings can be made via phone, email, or through our website.

  • We reserve the right to decline or reschedule appointments due to unforeseen circumstances.

  • Cancellations: Must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Failure to do so will incur a cancellation fee of £20.

  • If we are unable to attend an appointment due to weather or other safety concerns, we will reschedule at no extra cost.

5. Pricing and Payment

  • All prices are quoted in GBP. Please note, as a non-VAT registered business, we do not charge VAT.

  • If paying via bank transfer, a formal invoice will be issued after the service is completed. Payment is due within 14 days of receiving the invoice.

  • We accept payment via:

    • Cash

    • Bank Transfer

    • Card Payment via Zettle (Please note: Zettle charges a transaction fee of £1.60)

    • Cheque

  • Any additional services or charges will be discussed with you before work begins.

6. Access and Preparation

  • You are responsible for providing safe and clear access to the chimney and work area.

  • Stove Usage: Please ensure the stove has not been used for at least 24 hours prior to our arrival, as it needs to be cool for safe cleaning.

  • Occupant Presence: We require an occupant to be present at the property during the sweep. If no one will be available, access arrangements must be agreed upon before the appointment.

  • Please ensure the area around the fireplace or stove is clear before our arrival. If access is unsafe or not possible, we may refuse service and charge a call-out fee.

7. Liability and Limitations

  • We take care to protect your property during service. However, we are not liable for:

    • Pre-existing damage to chimneys, flues, or property.

    • Damage caused by failure to follow safety advice.

  • You must inform us of any known structural issues or previous damage before we begin work.

  • We are fully insured for the services we provide.

8. Certification

Upon completion, a certificate of chimney sweeping will be issued where applicable. This certificate should be kept for your records and may be required for insurance purposes.

9. Website Use

  • All content on our website is for informational purposes only.

  • You may not copy, reuse, or distribute website content without our permission.

  • We are not responsible for any third-party links or websites linked to ours.

10. Privacy Policy

We take your privacy seriously. Please refer to our Customer Privacy Policy for details on how we collect and use your personal data in accordance with GDPR.

11. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

12. Amendments

We reserve the right to update or change these Terms and Conditions at any time. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.

Contact Us
 If you have any questions regarding these Terms and Conditions, please contact us at:
📧 maxjohnstonsweeps@gmail.com
📞 07311 256184

Customer Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy
 MJ Sweeps
 Effective Date: 8th June 2025

1. Introduction

MJ Sweeps is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal data in compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

By using our services or visiting our website (https://www.mjsweeps.co.uk/), you agree to the terms of this policy.

2. Who We Are

Business Name: MJ Sweeps
Business Structure: Sole Trader
Owner/Data Controller: Max Johnston
Contact Information:
 📧 maxjohnstonsweeps@gmail.com
📞 07311 256184

3. What Personal Data We Collect

We collect and store the following personal information when you book a service with us or contact us directly:

  • Full name

  • Address

  • Email address

  • Phone number(s)

  • Appointment details and service history

4. How We Collect Your Data

We collect data through the following means:

  • When you contact us via phone, email, or the website

  • When you book an appointment

  • When you opt in to receive reminders or marketing emails

5. How We Use Your Data

We use your data for the following purposes:

  • To manage appointments and provide chimney sweeping services

  • To send appointment confirmations, reminders, and follow-ups

  • To issue certificates of completion or service

  • To send annual service reminder emails via Mailchimp or Gmail.

  • To respond to your queries or concerns

6. Where and How Your Data Is Stored

Your data is stored securely in:

  • Google Calendar – used to manage booking details, including your name, address, contact number, and appointment time.

  • Mailchimp – used to store your email address and send annual service reminder emails.

Both platforms are GDPR-compliant and have their own data protection measures in place. We also take reasonable technical and organisational precautions to prevent the loss, misuse, or alteration of your personal information.

7. Lawful Basis for Processing

We process your data under the following lawful bases:

  • Contractual necessity – to fulfil your request for services

  • Legitimate interests – to maintain customer service records and send annual reminders

  • Consent – for any optional marketing emails (you may opt out at any time)

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as necessary to:

  • Maintain service history and safety records

  • Issue annual reminders (unless you opt out)

  • Meet any legal or insurance-related obligations

You may request deletion of your data at any time, subject to legal requirements.

9. Sharing Your Data

We do not sell, rent, or trade your data.
We only share your data with trusted third-party services used to support our business (e.g., Google and Mailchimp). These providers are under strict confidentiality and data processing agreements.

10. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

  • Access the personal data we hold about you

  • Request correction of inaccurate data

  • Request erasure of your data (“the right to be forgotten”)

  • Object to or restrict processing of your data

  • Withdraw consent at any time (for marketing communications)

  • Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details above.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Updates will be posted on our website with a revised effective date.

Contact Us
 If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please contact:
📧 maxjohnstonsweeps@gmail.com
📞 07311 256184

Book an Appointment.

We look forward to hearing from you and keeping your chimney safe and clean.