Business: Valor Chimney Services
Address: 565 N. State St., Elgin
Contact info: www.valorchimney.com; 224-806-2253 or 630-936-1418; [email protected]
Owner: David J. Palm
Number of years in business: 12
What does this business do? “We are a full-service provider of all fireplace and chimney types, from maintenance and inspection to full reconstruction and replacement, including code-compliant gas line runs and replacements.”
How did you get into this business? “My industry is an opportunity for true service and I simply fell in love with that fact.”
How many employees do you have? “Six full time, including myself.”
How often is it necessary to have a chimney cleaned? “The directives set by The National Fire Protection Association Standard 211, The Chimney Safety Institute of America, and International Residential Code state recommendations are for annual cleaning, maintenance and inspection of all fireplaces, chimneys, and vents. A property sale or transfer of a residential/commercial property requires a level 2 inspection (cleaning inclusive for inspection purpose) prior to sale or transfer.”
How long does a chimney cleaning take? “Maintenance, cleaning and inspection takes no less than one hour, but could take a full day, contingent upon required methods of service and access to the chimney termination.”
What is the cost? “A standard fireplace-chimney or central heating chimney sweep/clean and Level 2 Inspection starts at $233.94. Property sale/transfer standard sweep/clean and level 2 inspection starts at $283.94.”
How has technology changed the job of chimney cleaning? “It really has not. We seasoned veterans have learned that good old-fashioned polypropylene brushes and rods combined with hard work cannot be bettered by technology.”
When is your busiest time of year? “We, unlike sales companies, are busy and full time all year round.”
What is the weirdest thing you’ve found in a chimney? “A duck, sugar-gliders (flying squirrels for lack of better comparison), and a confederate dagger from the Civil War sheathed on a smoke shelf of a fireplace.”
What is the best thing about being located in Elgin? “Routing versatility.”
What is the biggest challenge about being located in Elgin? “Route 31 (State Street) traffic.”
What is the thing you most like to do as part of your business? “Please our customers by doing it right the first time.”
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What is your least favorite thing to do? “Delegate.”
What is the biggest misconception about your business? “That what we do is routine, and customers’ perceptions of what they think services should cost based upon zero trade experience.”
If you weren’t doing this, what line of work would you be in? “Law.”
How has your business changed over the years? “We are better equipped to handle just about any project presented us. It does not start that way in any industry.”
Do you have any future plans to expand? “Absolutely, but slowly.”
What do you wish someone had told you before you started? “That my job title isn’t really president/owner, but rather workaholic.”
Erin Sauder is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.