Well, I hope owning and operating a wood stove is a lot more enjoyable than trying to get one installed. This has been a very frustrating experience so far and I'm just getting started.
I stopped by Eastwood Stove and Outdoor Shoppe in Louisville, KY about a month ago and talked to the manager there for awhile. I wanted to set up an appointment to have my existing flue and chimney inspected and determine whether or not it needs replacing. I imagine it does as it is almost 40 years old and seen better days. The house used to have an old Buck stove but it has since been removed and the ceiling above it dry walled and patched over. So there is no access to the bottom of the flue. The flue itself and stack still exist. So if you take the cap off, you could see down the flue.
Well, I set up an appointment to have them come and inspect it and tell me what it would take to replace if needed. After cancelling on me 2 times and rescheduling they failed to show up the first time or even call. After 1.5 hours I called them and we rescheduled. Yesterday they were supposed to come out finally. I had all but given up but after an hour two men showed up at my door. It was like talking to two brick walls. Jeez. They informed me that the boxed in drywall in the second floor bedroom that the flue passes through would also have to be torn out. I asked why they couldn't just replace the flue from the roof and lower it down. They said they have to build it four feet at a time. I have no idea if that is correct so I'm trying to get a second opinion. They left and informed me they would send me a quote soon. Their so disorganized I don't think I want to do business with them anyway. The plus side for them was that they are willing to install a stove they do not carry. I'm pretty set on a BK King or Princess model and as I've mentioned in the past, we don't have a single dealer here in KY. So the fact they will install a stove they don't carry was a plus they had going for them.
So then I remembered the guy I had do my sweep and inspection when I bought the house. His name is Doug and he owns All American Chimney services. Nothing but GREAT, 5 star Google and Angie's List reviews. So I requested an estimate from them and their office just called me. They are willing to do an inspection and replace the flue and stack if needed, but they won't install a stove they don't carry. They only carry Regency and a few others. Well that's just great.....
So here I am, feeling like a damn general contractor trying to sub contract out various pieces of an install job. Very frustrating and annoying. I never thought it would be this difficult. All I want is a Blaze King stove installed with a new flue and chimney and you'd think I was asking to move a mountain.
I'm wondering if it's even possible to get the setup I want......sigh.
I stopped by Eastwood Stove and Outdoor Shoppe in Louisville, KY about a month ago and talked to the manager there for awhile. I wanted to set up an appointment to have my existing flue and chimney inspected and determine whether or not it needs replacing. I imagine it does as it is almost 40 years old and seen better days. The house used to have an old Buck stove but it has since been removed and the ceiling above it dry walled and patched over. So there is no access to the bottom of the flue. The flue itself and stack still exist. So if you take the cap off, you could see down the flue.
Well, I set up an appointment to have them come and inspect it and tell me what it would take to replace if needed. After cancelling on me 2 times and rescheduling they failed to show up the first time or even call. After 1.5 hours I called them and we rescheduled. Yesterday they were supposed to come out finally. I had all but given up but after an hour two men showed up at my door. It was like talking to two brick walls. Jeez. They informed me that the boxed in drywall in the second floor bedroom that the flue passes through would also have to be torn out. I asked why they couldn't just replace the flue from the roof and lower it down. They said they have to build it four feet at a time. I have no idea if that is correct so I'm trying to get a second opinion. They left and informed me they would send me a quote soon. Their so disorganized I don't think I want to do business with them anyway. The plus side for them was that they are willing to install a stove they do not carry. I'm pretty set on a BK King or Princess model and as I've mentioned in the past, we don't have a single dealer here in KY. So the fact they will install a stove they don't carry was a plus they had going for them.
So then I remembered the guy I had do my sweep and inspection when I bought the house. His name is Doug and he owns All American Chimney services. Nothing but GREAT, 5 star Google and Angie's List reviews. So I requested an estimate from them and their office just called me. They are willing to do an inspection and replace the flue and stack if needed, but they won't install a stove they don't carry. They only carry Regency and a few others. Well that's just great.....
So here I am, feeling like a damn general contractor trying to sub contract out various pieces of an install job. Very frustrating and annoying. I never thought it would be this difficult. All I want is a Blaze King stove installed with a new flue and chimney and you'd think I was asking to move a mountain.
I'm wondering if it's even possible to get the setup I want......sigh.
