questions about my installation

My excitement about my new insert was tempered somewhat by the way it was installed. 12 days later than estimated, for one, but when he did come, he rushed through it. The installer didn't bother to introduce himself or his helper, or protect my floor. He charged $95 for cleaning the chimney for about 5 minutes. He took a brick out of my firebox, but I don't know where it went. The top plate is held on with duct tape, which I'll have to remove tomorrow when the silicone has cured. He did the bare minimum clean up, and I had to vacuum the hearth, the interior of the insert, and the path to the front door, after he left. The insert itself is not even level. It's very close to level left to right, but the top tips towards me.

And finally, there were parts included with the stove, and he didn't explain them to me, he just left them on the floor. All I have to go on is the list that came with the instruction manual. The one that most concerns me most is the "Rope for sealing around the flue exit." Perhaps he had to use duct tape because he didn't use the rope? There was supposed to be a "Warning Card," but I didn't get one. There are screws that he didn't use.

It took him about an hour and 20 minutes, and the overwhelming impression he left was hurry, hurry, hurry. Not professionalism or quality. So to anyone considering installing it yourself, I say go for it.

Now to my questions:
1. Is this a typical professional installation?
2. Is being out of level, tilting forward, a problem?
3. I'm thinking I'll call him and ask him to come back and make it level. Is that silly of me?

Some pictures:
The level front to back shows the bubble is completely over the line.

Thanks. Yes, I've got a large cap that covers the whole chimney.

The installer said I wouldn't need a block off plate at the bottom. The chimney's in the center of the house, and the NW climate is pretty mild.

He did not leave me the cap to the liner.

Does anyone use the rope for sealing around the flue exit?

Here's a picture of my chimney cap. There are three flues, the one going to the downstairs fireplace is blocked off, and the one to the gas furnace is open. There isn't room under the cap to add 2' of liner. Should I add 1'?

Thanks for the advice.

Thanks EJL, I'll give it a shot and hopefully I'll have no backdraft issues, too.

Thanks Kingston for the support. I emailed the installer. They said the trim would hold the stove in place. We're going to go with a custom trim, since the standard is too big. We wanted to get the stove in first, then decide exactly how to trim it. I am so glad we made that choice. I emailed the installer back after hours, and said trim should not hold a stove in place. I'm no expert, but that's just not right.

I had been hoping to do the first break-in fire tonight. Just to make sure I don't wreck anything, I read the instructions. They said to leave the door ajar one inch for a few minutes to let the fire get lots of air. My door wouldn't stay ajar, because the unit was so out of level. When the door was open, it swung itself all the way open. This made me angry, so instead of waiting, I decided to try fixing it. Here's where I'm glad we didn't have any trim, because I could see what I needed to see.

I found the levelers, which are not mentioned in the installation instructions, thanks Morso : (, and by sliding the stove forward and extending the front levelers, I was able to get it right where I wanted it. Took a while, working alone, checking the level, etc. but it's good now.

And I got to do my break in fire. Pics coming soon. It's really, really beautiful. I am very happy to report that it's not soundproof. I can hear some crackling of the fire, at the beginning anyway, when my kindling was crackling. The stove kicks out a lot of heat if you're near it. I can't tell yet if it's heating the room, because I've got several windows open, due to the break-in smell. But I can see it well from my couch, and I can see it well from my kitchen sink. The big window fills with flame and makes this whole ordeal worth it.

I still want to know what he did with my brick, though.