I don't think anyone wants to do a chimney restoration, but when it comes to preserving your house's value and keeping water out of your roof, it becomes a necessity. SMC Masonry impressed me for a couple main reasons. 1) Their work is overseen by a Gold Seal Mason and our crew was led by a Red Seal Mason. 2) Stephen took the time to visit the site before providing the quote, and he provided a thorough explanation of the options and what the job entailed each time we communicated. I am by no means a masonry expert, so I appreciated that he was willing to take the time to educate me in a respectful manner.
The quote (amount shown included tax) was in the mid-range of what I received on Home Stars, and later research suggested that it was right in line with industry standards. The work was completed as described and within the promised time frame despite some rain delays. They were also flexible about receiving payments when I exceeded my bank's 24 hour e-transfer limit.
The job site was cleaned up well overall, but I had to wash our recently painted deck afterward. I would suggest to anyone having similar work performed to do the following. 1) Tarp your deck if you have one. 2) Move or cover any plants near the house (particularly fruits and vegetables). 3) Shut off your air conditioner for the day and put your A/C cover on it. Hope that helps.