Wood Stove installation

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ryjen

Burning Hunk
Feb 2, 2014
155
north carolina
As I mentioned in another thread, I have the handyman skills and technical ability of a monkey. If I can't fix it with duct tape, then I fling poo at it. (this is especially bad when cooking dinner). So I'm left to the mercy of an expert to install my woodstove. I have called 15 different places in my area. Most are chimney sweeps and Masons/chimney repair businesses and not a single one of them install woodstoves, or liners. A few of them mentioned that they used to, or that they "may do one in the slow season". A local hardware company sells and installs them, but they either slam them in, or do a direct connect kit. I want a full liner with cap.They also will not install a stove that wasn't purchased from them.
I have "googled" woodstove installation, which is how I received the numbers for the places I have called.

Anyone have any other ideas of business to call who may be able to help?
 
Have you covered all the stove dealers? Most who sell, install. They may not like installing a box they didn't sell, but many use outside contractors. Find out who the ultimate installer is. (you may have to use some ingenuity to get this info).
 
Building contractors and HVAC guys install and have installed Class A chimneys all the time.
 
I have covered the few stove dealers that I know of. The one mentioned above only installs the ones they sell, and they aren't installed.....what I consider properly anyway. The other dealer that I know of only deals in Pellet, or gas fired stoves. I guess I could give them a call. It's possible that there are a few stove dealers that I am unaware of, but being that I'm in NC...there are not many people selling woodstoves. At least not any that advertise.
 
Then I would do as billb3 stated. Start calling hvac and contractor peeps. Even if they don't they might know somebody that does.
 
Building contractors and HVAC guys install and have installed Class A chimneys all the time.

I do have a lead on builder who is supposed to give me a call if he can do it.

I was unaware that HVAC companies do chimney work. That may be my ticket there. Thanks Bill
 
You could also try csia and nfi websites to see if there are any certified sweeps near you. If they are certified they should be able to do a full liner for you. And yeah some hvac guys here will do simple liners as well
 
Yes, I called the sweeps first. There were 2 that said they would consider doing it in the "Slow season", but that they just didn't install them much anymore. This is also what I was told by the one who inspected my chimney 2 weeks ago.
I can understand not wanting to do it while they are busy with the easier (See also: Faster) cleaning jobs. However most of them said they didn't do it at all. Granted, I didn't keep up with which sweep was certified or just a guy with a long brush and a big van with "Chimney Sweep" on the side. After the first 3 calls I was just blanket calling to see who WOULD do it. Weeding out the certifications would have come in step 2
 
The busy season must be different there our busy season is from beginning of oct to the end of dec and if you called us during that time it would have been a month or so till we could get to you. but I just think it is weird that none of them would even set up an appointment. good luck finding someone
 
Yeah, I'm with you bholler. The busy season around here seems to last until the end of next month. In my neck of the woods, most fires are ornamental in nature and not for heating the house. Most new construction, if they have a fireplace at all, it's gas logs.

To give you an idea of what I'm up against, using the NFI site from Begreen, there was one business listed, and he is 2 hours away from me in the mountains of NC. It's not funny....but I had to chuckle to keep from sobbing.
 
ah well good luck then I hope you find someone
 
I did manage a lead from the sites listed!

Had one guy listed on both the CSIA and the NCSG sites. Left him a voice mail. The other places that I mentioned that may would do it in the off season are also listed there.
Thanks for the info folks! Crossing my fingers!
 
Yes and no. My close friends are shade tree mechanics, woodworkers, and musicians. The latter of the three would be totally useless for anything other than beer delivery. (a very noble task in itself). I have a few friends who are very handy, but not close enough with them to ask for assistance without offering money. If I'm paying, I would much rather pay a pro.
All that said....desperate situations will require desperate measures.

Along those lines I may be ok on my own with most of it. Since I have a 12x12 chimney, the 8" pipe would fit just fine. It's the rectangular chimney flue on the masonry firebox that gives me the shivers. That would need to be modified.
 
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Yeah 7 by 11 liners are a pain if it is relatively straight you could use oval or the liners may need to come out. If the liners need to come out I think that is beyond most diyers but if you could get away with oval you could probably get it done with help of some friends
 
.......what jags said and a hammer and chisel....... not really all that hard if you think about it and follow directions.
 
I do appreciate it guys, and I'm very sure I would have one heck of a knowledge base to lean on around here. However, I'm just not confidant in my ability to do it and not destroy the chimney. Worse case scenario I will try and tackle it myself, for now I will wait for the call backs on the leads I have, and go from there. I'm sure I can find someone who can do it, even if it may cost a bit extra for a drive from the higher elevations of the state to get a reputable pro.
 
Believe me I am a pro so I will never try to steer you away form using a pro but if you cant find one that you are confident will do it right it can be done by a good diyer.
 
.......... for now I will wait for the call backs on the leads I have, and go from there. I'm sure I can find someone who can do it, even if it may cost a bit extra for a drive from the higher elevations of the state to get a reputable pro.
you can always offer to put them up for a night at the local no-tell motel. ;)
 
Go to the folks that sell them, Ask for installation costs. If they do not do it themselves they will give you the business card of their installer. Call installer!

But I did mine myself!
 
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I have a guy coming out tomorrow to give me an estimate. I had one quote of $1200-$1400 from another guy over the phone.
Does this sound about right?
Can you give me some pointers and questions to ask.
Thanks!
 
I have a guy coming out tomorrow to give me an estimate. I had one quote of $1200-$1400 from another guy over the phone.
Does this sound about right?
Can you give me some pointers and questions to ask.
Thanks!

ryjen:

Looks like your 28000 does require an 8 inch chimney flue. Here is a link to the installation manual: http://www.servicesales.com/images/old_buck_owners_manual.pdf

By the way, the owners manual states that the stove is not UL listed. This may be a consideration for you, your installer, or your building inspector, if a permit and installation inspection is required.

Regarding your quote of $1,200 to $1,400, I suggest that you ask for a written quote detailing what the quote includes. If the quote includes the cost of the liner, insulating the liner, the cost of an appliance connector, the cost of breaking out the existing damper and/or masonry work to get the liner past the old damper opening, and the cost of any fabrication shop work that might be required to connect the stove to the liner - then $1,400 isn't too bad.

I suggest that you go on line and search for 8 inch SS liners - insulated and not insulated - and see what you come up with.

Good luck with your stove install.
 
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