What Charlottesville Homeowners Say About Top Hat Chimney
Reviews are how neighbors look out for neighbors. Wendell Pike started Top Hat Chimney in 1999, and for over 29 years the business has grown the way Charlottesville businesses used to grow: one fireplace at a time, one street at a time, one honest conversation at a time. We don’t buy reviews and we don’t script them. What you’ll read below reflects the way Wendell and his crew actually work in homes across Charlottesville, from Belmont to Fry’s Spring. If you want the full picture, ask anyone on your street.
Recent Reviews
“Our chimney hadn’t been swept since we bought the place in 2019. The sweep who showed up ran the camera, showed me a layer of second-degree creosote on the screen, and explained exactly what it meant. Took about an hour, left the hearth cleaner than he found it. The $40 off the repair quote we needed for the cap was just a bonus.”
Rachel L. – Woolen Mills, Charlottesville
“I called for a sweep and fully expected to be told I needed a new liner. Wendell’s man got up on the roof, came back down, and said the liner had years left. Showed me the video. Charged me for the sweep only. That never happens. I’ve told half my book club about it.”
Marcy V. – North Downtown, Charlottesville
“The crown on our chimney had cracked and water was getting into the firebox. They replaced the crown, resealed everything, and stamped the 90-Day Done Right Promise on the invoice. Three months later a small spot looked off and Wendell came back within the week, no charge, no argument. Exactly what the promise says.”
Devon W. – Johnson Village, Charlottesville
“Chimney fires scare me. I’ve got kids and we burn wood all winter. The technician was background-checked, wore a uniform, gave me a real arrival window, and actually called when he was 15 minutes out. First-degree creosote, brush job, done. He said once a year, burn or no burn. I booked next year’s sweep before he left.”
Javier C. – Greenbrier, Charlottesville
“I had a written estimate from another company for $1,400 of work. Called Top Hat for a second opinion. Wendell looked at the same photos, got up on the roof himself, and said about half of it was unnecessary. Free second opinion meant free. The work we did end up needing was done two days later, upfront price, no surprises.”
Rachel L. – Woolen Mills, Charlottesville
“Senior discount was applied without me having to ask. That’s small, but it tells you something about how the company treats people. The sweep was thorough, the tech explained the difference between first-degree and third-degree creosote, and he didn’t try to upsell me on anything. Just honest work.”
Marcy V. – North Downtown, Charlottesville
Why Customers Trust Us
Every review above comes back to the same few things: the price you hear on the phone is the price on the invoice, nothing gets recommended without camera footage you can see for yourself, and the 90-Day Done Right Promise is printed on every job we finish. Wendell Pike puts his name on the work, and he’s been doing it in Charlottesville since 1999. That’s over 29 years of showing up, being straight with people, and running into customers again on a Saturday. We answer the phone with a live person, 24/7, and we don’t hide behind a call center. If you’re due for a sweep, need a second opinion on a written estimate, or just want someone to look at the cap and crown before winter, call (540) 503-3890.
Written by Wendell Pike, Owner at Top Hat Chimney, serving Charlottesville since 1999.