Sellers rarely leave notes about the last sweep or repairs.
Chimney play · New homeowners
Chimney marketing to new homeowners who just bought a house with a fireplace.
A buyer of an older home often doesn't know when the chimney was last cleaned or whether the fireplace is safe to use. Spur finds recent buyers and mails a welcome card with an inspection offer, in time for the first fire.
Free forever plan · No card · 20 property searches a month
USPSFirst-Class
Marta Reyes112 Laurel CrestAsheville, NC 28803Scan to book a welcome inspection
Marta R. booked a welcome inspection · 4 min ago
AI-written for this owner · Mailed in 2 days
90 daysafter closing is the welcome window
Unknownchimney history is common for new buyers
Autowelcome card sent after each sale
The problem
New buyers inherit a chimney they know nothing about.
A general inspection looks from the ground, and a deeper review is a separate service.
A new owner who lights a fire in an uninspected chimney is taking a chance they don't know about.
How it works
From list to mailbox in one workflow.
Five steps from a new deed to a loyal chimney customer.
app.usespur.com
See it in Spur
New buyers for chimney inspections
Sample Asheville, NC list: homes sold in the last 90 days, built before 2000. Names are partly masked.
Sold last 90 daysBuilt pre-2000Owner-occupiedSingle-familyFireplace likely
- Marta & Luis R.112 Laurel CrestBuilt 1989 · 2,900 sq ftBought 3 wks agoFrom Atlanta
- Ben K.27 Maple HollowBuilt 1975 · 1,800 sq ftBought 6 wks agoFirst-time buyer
- Priya D.88 Tunnel RdBuilt 1968 · 2,100 sq ftBought 8 wks agoMasonry chimney
- Tom & Gail W.340 Sunset PkwyBuilt 1982 · 2,500 sq ftBought 5 wks agoRetirees
- Hannah L.9 Rock Spring CtBuilt 1991 · 2,300 sq ftBought 10 wks agoWood stove
AI draft for Marta R. · 112 Laurel Crest
Hi Marta,
Congratulations on the new home. One thing buyers rarely get is a history of the chimney: when it was last cleaned, whether the liner is intact, and whether the fireplace is safe to use.
We'll inspect the chimney, photograph what we find, and tell you honestly whether it's ready for the first fire. If it needs a sweep or a repair, you'll see exactly what and why.
Scan the code to book a welcome inspection.
Dana Whitfield · Ember & Flue Chimney Co. · (828) 555-0166
Sample data for illustration. Your results depend on your market and filters.
Playbook
How to win new homeowners for chimney service
A new homeowner with a fireplace has a clear question: is this safe to use? A general home inspection usually looks at a chimney from the ground and the attic, and may recommend a closer look. A chimney company that offers that closer look in the first 90 days answers the question at the right time.
Know the inspection levels. The NFPA 211 standard describes three levels of inspection. A Level 1 inspection covers readily accessible parts for an unchanged system. A Level 2 inspection includes a camera scan of the flue and is required when a property changes hands. Mention Level 2 on the card, since it fits a new buyer exactly.
Time the card before the first fire. For most regions, that means August to October for buyers who closed in summer, and any time in the first 60 days for those who close in cold months. A card that arrives with the first cold spell is the right message at the right moment.
Keep the tone welcoming. A buyer is excited, not afraid. Lead with 'welcome home' and 'we'll tell you honestly,' and offer to show photos. Avoid scare statistics, and let the inspection results speak.
Partner with referral sources. Home inspectors and real estate agents often recommend a Level 2 inspection. A quarterly mailing to them, with a printed welcome card to hand to buyers, makes you the name they suggest.
Make the second contact automatic. After the first visit, add the customer to your annual reminder cycle, so the next sweep is booked without a new campaign.
Add a short buyer's guide to the first visit: what the inspection levels mean, how often to sweep, what wood to burn, and what warning signs to watch for. New owners keep guides like this near the fireplace, and it keeps your phone number in a place they will see before the next first fire.
6×+return on a year of Spur Team from a steady stream of welcome cards
Each new buyer who stays is worth years of sweeps.
- Spur Team: $49/mo billed annually = $588/yr
- 200 welcome cards at $0.94 each = $188
- 8 new customers (~$350 for a Level 2 inspection and sweep) ≈ $2,800 first year, plus repairs
Example math. Lifetime value is higher with repairs and yearly sweeps. Run your own numbers →
One tool, not four
Spur vs. the usual new-buyer outreach
What you needThe usual waySpur
New buyers found by sale dateHope the agent mentions you✓ Built in
Welcome card with an inspection offerGeneric coupon✓ Built in
Automatic monthly welcome sendsMailed when remembered✓ Built in
QR to book an inspectionPhone number only✓ Built in
Annual reminders start at the first visitPaper file✓ Built in
New Homeowners by the numbers
Why buyers need a chimney welcome
Level 2
inspection is called for by NFPA 211 when a property changes hands
Unknown
chimney history is common when an older home is sold
6×+
return on a year of Spur Team from a steady stream of welcome cards
FAQ
Chimney new homeowner questions
How do I find new homeowners with fireplaces?
Filter for homes sold in the last 90 days that were built before 2000, in the neighborhoods you serve.
What is a Level 2 chimney inspection?
It includes everything in Level 1 plus a camera scan of the flue and is called for by NFPA 211 when a property is sold.
When should the card arrive?
Within 30 to 90 days of closing, and ideally before the first fire of the season.
Can I partner with home inspectors?
Yes. A printed welcome card they can hand to buyers is an easy referral source.
What does Spur cost for a chimney company?
Solo is free forever. You pay per postcard when you mail. Team is $49/mo billed annually with more searches, enrichments, and QR codes.
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