expensive install? need advise

Doesn't sound out of line to me.

I feel your pain. I was thinking of replacing my old basement dutchwest that we inherited with the house, but was shocked to learn that a new insert would range from $2500 - $4500 depending on model.

Cheapest option I found was an Englander insert and installing myself, but I really need a larger firebox and prefer the look of the flush mounts, so this wasn't a good option for us. We ended up deciding to just wait on the insert and continue to use the basement stove as supplemental heating till we feel comfortable spending on the insert.

Did they itemize the quote? It seems in the right ballpark: 2.7k for the stove/blower and 1.8k for the liner/install?

We had ours installed late summer and it broke down like this:

Jotul C 550 - $2400
25' SS Liner - $600
Installation - $500

Total - $3500

Another reference point......

$1450 for installation of our insert last summer, including a 25' stainless liner (I don't recall a breakdown between labor and materials). That also included pick-up of the insert at the dealer and delivery to the house.

Where are you in Upper Michigan? I just had an install done by an independant contractor and his price was MUCH more reasonable than the chimney shops in the area (Petoskey/Indian River, MI area). The thing is that you'll pay way more for the chimney and installation at a stove shop. If it were me, I'd buy the stove locally, buy the chimney/stovepipe wherever you find a good deal (Lowe's is very reasonable for the class A chimney) and pay a third party installer for the job. I can get you contact info for the guy I used if you're interested. By the way, I have a 48" section and a 40-68" telescoping section of Simpson DVL double wall stovepipe (black) that I didn't use...should be plenty for any interior application other than a very high cathedral ceiling. I'd be willing to sell it for much cheaper than you can find it anywhere else for as I can't return it. Drop me a line if you're interested!

Matt

I was quoted $1600.00 for the liner and stove install.
I pretty much said screw that.
After talking with the good folks here and asking alot of questions.
I installed my own. Liner and cap was $400.00 so i saved $1200.00
for a weekend of work. It was no fun but its well worth it . Really not that tough.
Get a couple buddies, buy the pizza and beer and put it in.

Brad

My quotes (liner and install, no block-off) were 2k from a sweep and 1k from a guy who wasn't going to come to the house until the day of the install. I did it myself for $500, and a lot of time and frustration, but glad I did. With block-off, I think $1500 is within reason. But make sure the guy is good. I think my 1k guy was going to be better than my 2k guy even without being half the price, but he had contractor-itis - he couldn't stop by or return any calls until finally I cancelled the day before the install - he returned that call!