Pay for install vs DIY

The two factors I looked at were peace of mind and ease of updating my homeowner's insurance.

I did all the labor except for the actual chimney install. For the actual chimney and connectors and stuff I have a receipt from a reputable local shop and my insurance agent didn't even flinch.

Xer0 said:

I am a EOD tech, I can disarm a bomb I can do anything.

Click to expand...

I hope that was the right one....

Xer0 said:

I am a EOD tech, I can disarm a bomb I can do anything.

Click to expand...

Save a bomb, then instead of wasting time cutting, you can blow a hole in the roof. Seriously, if you have decent mechanical skills it shouldn't be a big deal. But I haven't done many....I can see where certain installs could be a PIA. I second begreen, we need more details...

Cut the red wire . . . no, no . . . the other red wire.

Sounds like the skill set might be OK . . . or at least you're confident in your skills.

The other issue may be what your insurance company requires . . . my insurance company specifically stated that I needed to have it professionally installed and paperwork signed . . . I suspect this is in case of an incident . . . at which point they could try to recoup some of their loss by going after the installer.

Another option besides using the dealer for the install is to check with local chimney sweeps . . . around here many of them will do installs.

I had ours installed......I don't have the patience, especially when I gotta move something so heavy....my luck, I'd do something out of order, and have to move the stove a few times.

I did mine myself with a help of three buddies. The hardest part was to bring the stove into,my living room. Over 500 lbs, 4 guys, I live in a raised ranch do the math. Other than that piece of cake.

Do it yourself. Every installer around here says you dont need insulated liner, block off plate is not needed! I find myself redoing stuff ive paid someone to do for me, but thats just me!

I was debating this but decided I will be doing mine myself for sure, due to price and piece of mind.

after getting high quotes from dealers, no mention of blockoff plate, no insulated liner, reducer from 6" down to 5.5 inch liner for no reason (11x11inch flue)

no thanks

im sure it will be a pain but im only doing it once...I hope

ctswf said:

I was debating this but decided I will be doing mine myself for sure, due to price and piece of mind.

after getting high quotes from dealers, no mention of blockoff plate, no insulated liner, reducer from 6" down to 5.5 inch liner for no reason (11x11inch flue)

no thanks

im sure it will be a pain but im only doing it once...I hope

Click to expand...

Who is your dealer?

id rather not say here, I talked to a few places, some more knowledgeable than others, I will say that I am not referring to the people at fireplaces etc in milford, they were very helpful and I would like to buy through them if I can

prezes13 said:

Who is your dealer?

Click to expand...

Well, I'm not sure this is pertinent to your situation, but I installed a ZC fireplace myself in my first house (okay, it was several decades ago). The only thing I needed help with was moving it into place (it weighed a lot more than me). If I could do it and I had no technical skills beyond reading directions (something I realize you guys sometimes have difficulty with!), you should be able to . . . as long as there's no insurance reason not to. It did take me all day. The hardest part was cutting through the roof -- since sitting on the ridge was quite uncomfortable. It seems to me that a stove would be no more difficult.

My home owners insurance wanted it done professionally. Sent them a receipt for the install and haven't had one complaint from them. If I installed it myself (even though after seeing the installation I probably could have done it myself) im sure I would have needed to jump through a bunch of hoops to get them to sign off or thwy would have raised my rates.

I did mine install, myself, I took my time, read the instructions carefully, everything came out fine.
Had it inspected by the town and no problems from insu. co.

I'm working on my second install now. I enjoy doing the work myself and knowing that it's been done correctly. However, I will say that if I had paid someone to do it, I would already be burning. As it sits now, I still have quite a bit of work ahead of me. In my opinion, the value that you get in having a pro do the work comes in the form of having it done quickly. Only being able to dedicate a hour here and there means it's taking quite a while. Then add in some unforeseen issues, and this project is taking longer than expected. Of course, those unforeseen problems would probably have meant a hefty change order if I had a pro working on it.

Poindexter said:

I have a receipt from a reputable local shop and my insurance agent didn't even flinch.

Click to expand...

Apparently he doesn't read here all the horror stories about "professional" installs. If I were to have a stove installed, knowing what I do now, I'd be asking a lot of questions up front, then I'd be sitting on their shoulder the entire time.

I didn't have a choice. I could've, and wanted to do it myself but our building inspector required the job to be performed by a licensed installer.

Then there's the insurance company...

Luckily my insurance just requires that I notify them of the install. No inspections or professional install required.