5,253,385
Mimi, it's a great idea to have the ducts cleaned but, like you, I wasn't aware that task requires a license! That requirement seems a bit excessive!
As for why it's suddenly showing up on multiple inspection reports - they probably just had an update course and this was the topic du jour!
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Sandy Padula & Norm Pa...
, CA
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Ryan Huggins - Thousan...
Thousand Oaks, CA
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
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Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Austin, TX
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Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Carpinteria, CA
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
1,056,097
I learned a huge lesson 3 years ago when I couldn't understand why I smelled smoke in my garage. My dryer vent was clogged and dryer overheated. If fire department had not removed it from my garage it would have ignited. I was always conscientious about clearing lint trap, had ducts cleaned every few years, but did not know that the dryer duct is not included in a duct cleaning unless you ask for it and pay extra--I didn't watch that closely and assumed they did it.. Over 100k house fires annually originate in clogged dryer ducts.
Curious that you are getting these requests all of the sudden, but it's good to find out last time seller has them cleaned. Companies like Servpro and Coit will clean them inexpensively--about $125 for mine.
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Ryan Huggins - Thousan...
Thousand Oaks, CA
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Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
547,527
Okay can't help you on duct work, but I keep hearing your name coming up as someone of great knowledge so thought I would check out your post.
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Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
3,986,308
There is no law saying you have to be licensed. It is a scam to say so
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
6,416,359
Just say NO, if they are unhappy with the job that the unlicensed seller does they can do it themselves.
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
3,349,229
Maybe they were just looking for a good local busienss / resource to do the job.
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Sandy Padula & Norm Pa...
, CA
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
1,846,851
This seems to happen every spring. I can see that it's necessary but this time of year brings the 'squirrels' out of the woodwork.
I didn't know you had to have a license lol .
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Sandy Padula & Norm Pa...
, CA
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
4,581,818
Interesting. While important, I can't recall ever seeing this on a request -- I'm sure there must have been a recent class discussing the subject --- I bet the sponsor of the class offered this service.
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Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
1,552,938
Chimney sweeps do that work, which is why they are saying "licensed" which may mean "certified".
I've never had that request.
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Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
5,772,575
I like Debe Maxwell, CRS response. A
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
1,153,794
Although they're not on the top ten list of house fire causes it can occur. Beyond that a clean dryer vent can save a lot of energy. Mimi Poppins you're not!
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
1,505,863
Here's my dryer duct cleaning license. Got it in Echo Park for $20
This sounds like a new class or buzzword. Probably have to throw the phrase "licensed" around to CYA.
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Teri Pacitto
Westlake Village, CA
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
2,187,462
What Debe Maxwell, CRS said. I never had that request but it's actually a good idea. I think the "licensed" part might be just to verify it's been done.
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
809,258
Did the inspection report recommend a licensed person or did that come directly from the buyers and agents? I suspect there was a continuing ed class somewhere that recommended it. -Kasey
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
5,583,328
that's silly.... I'd tell the agent to go pound sand....
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Susan Emo
Kingston, ON
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
1,513,143
And next, they will ask to clean the water in baseboard heating system.
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Susan Emo
Kingston, ON
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
613,494
Some states require that all air duct cleaners be certified by the state to clean air ducts and have a mechanical contractors license.
I would think that the dryer duct would be included as an air duct.
Eve
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
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Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
7,862,342
Thanks for sharing your experience.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
3,071,489
Tell the Buyer Agent - find me a licensed dry duct cleaner and we'll get it done!!
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Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
913,348
Dryer fires are very common. Here in VA, and in many other States there is such a thing as being a Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician . Check with some of your local chimney sweeps, many of them are certified to clean and inspect dryer vents and have the equipment needed to do it properly. Not a joke, and it's outside the scope of your real estate license. They do license and certify them in your area. Looks like Ben Chesney is closest one to you.
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Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
5,111,821
I don't know about licenses for cleaning dryer ducts. But often HVAC people do that as part of servicing and they do need licenses. By inspection notices, do you mean inspection reports? If so, all inspectors write up recommendations to use a "licensed so and so." If a lightbulb is burnt out they recommend a licensed electrician to change it.
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Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
4,319,773
Mimi Foster this is something that the home inspector says to clear himself (or herself.) Just a precaution.
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
5,060,238
Interesting. That has never come up for me...yet. Not sure they license people here to clean dryer ducts.
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
3,988,013
That must be the new item coming down from the home inspector institute. I see new things from time to time and then all the inspectors follow suit.
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
1,617,916
2,456,009
Maybe they just wanted a professional. I haven't heard of a licensed dry duct cleaner.
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
788,302
Meems, the easiest way to clean your ducts, keep them all in a row.
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
352,976
Keeping dryer ducts clean is very important but I have not seen this come up on inspections. I'm sure the local inspectors got that from one of their meeting when it was brought up or someone had an issue and possibly a fire from a dryer vent. I've seen these issues come and go and they typically want to CYA.
I have a great local HVAC Company that has this as part of their service and it's rather inexpensive depending on the span of the ducting. It's a maintenance issue and something that should be done.
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
715,632
We require licensed contractors for plumbing, electrical, Hvac work. Sellers often do other jobs themselves.
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
1,241,754
I clean out my dryer ducts while remove lint off clothing drier. I vaccum air handling vents making sure there are no dust or debris. I do not have a license in cleaning.
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
991,152
I think it's a great idea - for a few bucks I'd hire someone!
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
5,026,148
Our contracts state repairs need to be done by licensed service provides UNLESS both buyer and seller agree to a handyman or someone not licensed. It provides for some latitude on items like this..common sense can prevail!!
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
1,466,257
Mimi Foster I've only had one buyer who was from New Mexico ask this. It turned out my listing had mold spores in the duct work. My seller mitigated the problem and it closed.
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
2,784,416
Anyone can get or make-up a license for anything. Who is the sourcing?
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
1,728,056
It is a new fad that many home inspectors are pushing. I think it filters down from fire inspectors and if the dryer is gas, the even more so. Perhaps the insurance companies are behind this too?
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
4,800,132
5,237,958
I have used people who specialize in cleaning dryer ducts, but licensed? Not really sure. They did a good job!
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
1,712,776
4,959,198
321,564
Name followed by Licensed and Certified seems like a marketing idea. On the other hand, it may also state they have passed some background check. What do I know? Licensed means the state gets money? This service request could be something we more in the future.
599,734
Seems ridiculous but it's probably due to heavy regulation in your market.