August West Chimney & Fireplace Concepts

August West Chimney & Fireplace Concepts is a Pembroke company built around the whole hearth — its own site describes sales, installation, service and repair of fireplaces, stoves and inserts, plus chimney cleaning, inspections, and masonry repair and rebuilds. Its Massachusetts home improvement contractor registration is active, held by August West Chimney Co., Inc. The volume here is unusual: 145 Google ratings averaging 4.5 stars, plus 4.2 from 5 on Houzz and 5.0 from 3 on Angi. What stands out reading the reviews is how many name specific technicians by name for annual chimney sweeps and inspections — Jim, Tony, Joe among them — describing thorough cleanings, clear explanations of the work, and follow-up on what to watch for. One recent review describes a chimney repointing job where photos and loose mortar were shown to document the need for the work, with deadlines met and clear communication. Fireplace and stove sales come up just as often: reviewers describe wood-burning and gas-insert installs handled with what one 2025 review called seamless, fast, professional work, and a Mendota direct-vent gas fireplace installed with what a customer described as precision and care. A few complaints are worth knowing about, all several years old against a recent run of consistently positive reviews. In a 2023 review, one customer said a technician arrived without a gasket kit for a wood stove repair and had to use the customer's own kit. Another 2023 review described a $200 repair that stalled after 14 days when the company couldn't locate the paperwork, sending that customer elsewhere. And in a 2021 review, one longtime customer said service had gotten more expensive and less willing to travel far. For chimney sweeps, inspections, and fireplace or stove installs in the Pembroke area, the recent track record is deep and consistently positive — worth asking directly about scheduling and travel range given the older complaints on that front.