Installation tips for dummies - liner, inspections, etc.

OK so now that I have a stove lined up (Used EPA Englander 24 JC hearth-sitting cat insert) the next thing I need to do is get it out of the former owner's dang fireplace and moved here to my house. And THEN the next fun part starts. And I am even more clueless at this point than I was for the first part.

I was concerned that my husband and I couldn't handle the install and have everything be safe and tidy so I was heavily considering having a professional do the job. Our first sweep doesn't do installs. The second one I called does, and sounds very knowledgeable. BUT he raised several points of concern to me plus this would be way expensive (to my pocket) going by his ballpark figures. Like, probably expensive enough not to have a woodstove, really.

$150 for the permit and associated paperwork
$1032 for a half day's labor for the crew
$600-$800 or so if they provide the liner and etc that they will be installing.

So that's nearly $2000 right there which is way beyond what I was expecting.

Plus: He said he's not at all sure that the 8" flue collar can be reduced to 6" legally (or maybe the word isn't legally - but anyway to make the stove draft right and to pass inspection.) I am not sure but I THINK my chimney could accomodate an 8" liner if that's what I have to use. The former sweep said it was 13" X 13" on the paperwork. But is 8" liner a lot more expensive, or something? I thought everyone here said it was fine to reduce to a 6".

And he said that all liner manufacturers he is aware of will require that the liner be insulated as part of the install. I thought that only some (exterior chimneys and etc) needed insulated liners, I didn't realize it applied to nearly all of them? Hmmm.

And finally, who is it that inspects installs and declares them safe? Someone from the county, or the fire dept? And is this required or just recommended? And do most people get this done? If I am doing this I am doing it right, I don't want to mess around with the safety of my family. But I am getting some conflicting info now!

Thanks all.

Franks - Guess I need to make more calls on the installer but it's not looking real good to get somebody for that price. Right now we're pretty committed to this stove at this point, (handshake agreement - plus I am not sure the board can continue to see me through my soul-(and craigslist) searching on this one anymore now that I finally decided on one!
Mellow - you're so right. As soon as we have an evening when we get home early enough to beat the dark (dang time change!) We will be up on that roof!
Bart, thanks, I thought I saw that it was OK to reduce but I wasn't sure if I saw it in the official paperwork or if I just saw from you guys on here that you felt it was OK. Glad to see it was both.

So here's another question though - let's say I can fit an 8" insulated liner, and if it's not prohibitively more expensive than the 6", I suppose I would consider that. Would it be unwise to put in an 8", because any future new fabulous stoves I might buy in a few more years would then need a 6" liner and I would have to change the whole thing out again? Or is going from 8" down to a 6" flue collar (opposite of my problem) done much?

Thanks Magnaflex and thanks Mellow. Sorry, you wrote about the draft before and I guess I wasn't quite getting it but now I do. Thanks much, sorry I am being a little obtuse, no time to stop for coffee this morning, synapses not all connecting!

So after I get the chimney measured and figure out the liner size and draft issues, I plan to get a quote on a liner or a couple different options (from our friend here on the board) and I also want to make sure there's not one in the seller's chimney - he's already said if there's anything in there we're welcome to it, and since the stove looks barely used perhaps if there's a liner it's in good shape too. Have not idea if there is a liner or what kind, but at least might get the appropriate connectors out of it or something I figure.)

But in the meantime, does this Craigslist (unused) liner sound like anything good? I thought that price was pretty similar to what I would expect to pay for my own new liner with shipping, but if I am wrong and this seems like some kind of great deal, someone can correct me.)
http://richmond.craigslist.org/for/1456641757.html
Just wondering.

Awesome rundown!

Yup, thank you, your good counsel is not forgotten!
(But it was PITCH dark when I got home at 6 last night - so still no answers there!)

Really, Hmmmm! Thanks for letting me know. I didn't know that they generally cost that much.

But Mellow was actually referring to whether my chimney is tall enough to draft a 6" liner without an extension, or whether I would have to stick with the 8". I guess after we measure chimney, get stove (and determine that seller does not have a nice FREE liner) I can see if these CL folks still have this kit! I am however also quite appreciative of Magna's advice on this stuff and aware he's done real well by folks here, so I wouldn't mind sending some business his way if that's how it works out either.