Excel chimney worth the cost?

Mhrischuk, Tom was probably quoted list price by the installer. Even at the discounted price you posted, ICC is 40% more than Simpson. Not an insignificant difference on 25+ ft of pipe.

Tom, the best deal you will probably be able to find on class-A pipe is the SuperVent at Lowe's or Menard's. ~ $20/ft, IIRC. You will find threads on it with critics expressing the same kind of "You'll burn your house down with that garbage" sentiment. You'll also find that some of these threads are several years old, and no problems with the SuperVent have been reported. Turns out that this pipe is made by Selkirk, and yes, it passes the same testing that any pipe legal to sell in the US does. My guess is that the guy who gave you the high quote wouldn't install pipe supplied by you for $500, since he wouldn't make any $ on the pipe, but you could find someone to install it, maybe for $800.

mhrischuk said:

100%? I posted a comparison earlier and it's not even close to double the price. I do agree if you are tight on cash or just don't have to have the Cadillac of pipes you can't go wrong with the other good name brands as others have said. Good doesn't necessarily mean expensive in all cases.

But Tom's quote seems real high.

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My point is that I question the installer because the installer is asking for near 100% increase without representing to him why there should be such a cost difference, and representing to him that he's willing to install both products.

I recognize the rip-off pricing here, i'm just saying that even if the installer wasn't ripping him off the service he's getting within that quote tells me to go to someone else.

Den said:

Tom, the best deal you will probably be able to find on class-A pipe is the SuperVent at Lowe's or Menard's. ~ $20/ft, IIRC. You will find threads on it with critics expressing the same kind of "You'll burn your house down with that garbage" sentiment. You'll also find that some of these threads are several years old, and no problems with the SuperVent have been reported. Turns out that this pipe is made by Selkirk, and yes, it passes the same testing that any pipe legal to sell in the US does. My guess is that the guy who gave you the high quote wouldn't install pipe supplied by you for $500, since he wouldn't make any $ on the pipe, but you could find someone to install it, maybe for $800.

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You are absolutely correct about the supervent. Its made by selkirk and is essentially a renamed product to sell at the big box stores. Same material, same warranty as the more pricey selkirk brands. If I recall same connectors as well.

turbocruiser said:

Just as another data point, with 20ft worth of chimney the Excel system we chose was $200 US more than the MetalFab system that the stove shop typically installs. Not sure how MetalFab SS Interior + SS Exterior compares in its price point to some of the other makes mentioned here (MetalFab also makes another "economy" chimney with SS Interior and Galvalum or Galvanized Exterior)?

Interestingly, when I was trying to decide between the many chimney makes available around here, I called the tech lines to them all and asked all sorts of questions. They universally were polite, professional and knowledgeable. Then I called the tech line at Regency Fireplace Products and asked them. They told me that any 6" Class A Chimney system would work. They also told me that in their opinion ICC Excel is "the best of the best". But they then again reminded that really any 6" Class A Chimney system would work.

Now, here's the kicker to all those answers ... right in my installation manual it specifically states that the stove "must be connected to a factory-built chimney conforming to ULC S-629" So, technically nothing that I was interested in OTHER THAN the Excel product would have met that mandate! I'm sure it all would have worked but technically the Excel was the only option.

BTW, in the hope it helps, here's a thread that I started sorta mid stream in my research:

https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/76075/

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There are other brands that meet that spec, I googled it.

oldspark said:

turbocruiser said:

Just as another data point, with 20ft worth of chimney the Excel system we chose was $200 US more than the MetalFab system that the stove shop typically installs. Not sure how MetalFab SS Interior + SS Exterior compares in its price point to some of the other makes mentioned here (MetalFab also makes another "economy" chimney with SS Interior and Galvalum or Galvanized Exterior)?

Interestingly, when I was trying to decide between the many chimney makes available around here, I called the tech lines to them all and asked all sorts of questions. They universally were polite, professional and knowledgeable. Then I called the tech line at Regency Fireplace Products and asked them. They told me that any 6" Class A Chimney system would work. They also told me that in their opinion ICC Excel is "the best of the best". But they then again reminded that really any 6" Class A Chimney system would work.

Now, here's the kicker to all those answers ... right in my installation manual it specifically states that the stove "must be connected to a factory-built chimney conforming to ULC S-629" So, technically nothing that I was interested in OTHER THAN the Excel product would have met that mandate! I'm sure it all would have worked but technically the Excel was the only option.

BTW, in the hope it helps, here's a thread that I started sorta mid stream in my research:

https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/76075/

Click to expand...

There are other brands that meet that spec, I googled it.

Click to expand...

And there are lots of automobiles that meet NTSA , EPA and DOT requirements.

oldspark said:

turbocruiser said:

Just as another data point, with 20ft worth of chimney the Excel system we chose was $200 US more than the MetalFab system that the stove shop typically installs. Not sure how MetalFab SS Interior + SS Exterior compares in its price point to some of the other makes mentioned here (MetalFab also makes another "economy" chimney with SS Interior and Galvalum or Galvanized Exterior)?

Interestingly, when I was trying to decide between the many chimney makes available around here, I called the tech lines to them all and asked all sorts of questions. They universally were polite, professional and knowledgeable. Then I called the tech line at Regency Fireplace Products and asked them. They told me that any 6" Class A Chimney system would work. They also told me that in their opinion ICC Excel is "the best of the best". But they then again reminded that really any 6" Class A Chimney system would work.

Now, here's the kicker to all those answers ... right in my installation manual it specifically states that the stove "must be connected to a factory-built chimney conforming to ULC S-629" So, technically nothing that I was interested in OTHER THAN the Excel product would have met that mandate! I'm sure it all would have worked but technically the Excel was the only option.

BTW, in the hope it helps, here's a thread that I started sorta mid stream in my research:

https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/76075/

Click to expand...

There are other brands that meet that spec, I googled it.

Click to expand...

Uhh, not to be argumentative at all but I was really referring to the "makes available around here" (in other words what the stove shop here has distributors for) and out of all those only the Excel was ULC S-629. Thanks.

We've done Selkirk, Simpson, some metal-fab, and now only Excel... ICC makes great stuff, and include other sthings most co's have as an add on (for example: a support box comes with the fasteners, hangers, and pipe adaptor, whereas other co's charge extra for the other things you need to completely hook it up). No need to order size specific supports: they are all universal.. The laser welded seams are awesome, no leaks like you get with rolled seams from other co's... and the pipe slides together nice, no need to have to get a twist lock and band just right to accomodate an offset, etc. Is it worth the extra? It depends on you.. all chimney systems do pretty much the same job, but avoiding the added aggravation is priceless IMHO...

BTW 500 sounds about right for install to me: couple guys, truck, liability, insured, all the right tools, strong backs, and someone to call to fix any issues that may arise. Beware the guy who says he'll do it for 1/2 that: he'll show up lacking parts, pieces, and you won't hear from him ever again if you have issues after the install....

I've used most brands at one time or another over the last 30+ years, and since I first tried Excel, won't use any other. Fit, finish, Warranty, factory/distributor support, performance, etc., etc. does it for me. I love doing this work, but only ONCE per house. We have never had one single issue with Excel, ever. I like knowing that when I walk away from one of these installs, all it will ever need in future is swept, unless it gets physically clobbered, and even then replacement parts will be readily available. When I see folks' kids playing in the room where the stove is, I am reminded that in some areas compromise is silly, at best. The difference in initial cost is trivial when figured over the life of the system. If someone wants to save money, I advise they buy a Lopi, Avalon, Fireplace Xtrordinaire, or Woodstock Soapstone stove, with 6" outlet. This saves a bunch compared to any 8" stove due to the cost difference for 8" pipe. In my experience, 8" stoves are usually lower quality (older/poorer technology) than 6", especially compared to anything made by Travis Industries (Lopi and Avalon and Fireplace Xtrordinaire). As with most things in life, it's really about your priorities. Most folks don't need a Rolls Royce, but many can justify an Audi or a Mercedes when they consider performance, safety, serviceability, retained value, and life expectancy. Like I said, I love doing this work ONCE per house, and I have personally had to replace inferior (cheaper) chimneys several times, which resulted in greater cost overall than going with the good stuff in the first place, not to mention the superior performance over the entire life of the system. Another way we justify the cost is that if one of our installs ever has any problems, ever, if my son or I are still among the living, we will fix it free, regardless of any limits on the factory warranty. You pays your money and you takes your choice... And no, we don't work in the East, unless someone wants to fly us there and put us up while we do the work. ;-)

Good points, we just lean toward the best due to our awesome guarantee. We feel that since we stand behind it 100%, no matter what, it's our privilege to use the stuff we prefer. Usually when folks pay a lot for something, they take better care of it, and in this case I know it will take great care of them. We do our best to make things idiot proof, even though there will always be bigger and better idiots... I agree that there are other good brands, and I also know that Excel is arguably the best.

Again, any stove with a 6" outlet will cost less with Excel than an 8" stove with most if not all lesser brands. The time to save money is in the research/development phase, in my opinion.

I have excel pipe and am very pleased with it, and glad I got excel pipe. I was away last winter for a month and had someone staying at my house caring for my handicapped brother. They, of course, used the wood stove, after considerable instruction.

Was I ever glad when I got back that I had Excel pipe. No worries about the burning technique/safety of the house with someone else using my stove. Peace of mind.

I have often obtained quotes from workers both supplying the materials, and for labor only. If the installer you are working with is willing to charge for labor only, and use pipe you supply, there is a place on the west coast that sells ICC at a good discount from list. Look on line and figure what the pipe you would need would cost you. Add your guys labor and see where you are. Seems to me they are putting a good mark up on that pipe.