$1618.50 to install insert???

[bfunk13]

As i posted here in the past, i am looking to get a fireplace insert.
The Blazeking princess will fit my application and budget.
I've had a dealer come out and look at the existing fireplace.
And I put a down payment on the unit.
I was kicking around the idea of installing myself, i would call myself "pretty handy".
The dealer said i needed to cut out the damper and part of the smoke shelf to make it fit.
I can handle it, i have a long background in welding and fabrication.
Still i had them quote me a price for total install.
Please tell me if this is typical for this job. There is no stove dealer in town, so a 120 mile travel charge
is added.

6" simpson duravent, cap, plate, connectors $650.00
stove install 2 men @120 per hour 4-6 hrs Aprox $600.00
torching if needed $80.00
travel $240.00
tax 48.50

total of 1618.50

what the dealer failed to tell me was the added cost of the 6" flex.
And travel time was supposed to be "split between one or two other customers"

So $2514.00 for stove
and 1618.50 for install

$4132.50 for this insert?
I can heat my house with my furnace for 7 years at this price.
I still want the stove, even if i go with another dealer.
Would it really take 6 hrs to do this? If i did the damper cutting myself, what kind of time
should it take 2 experienced installers to get this done?
Just wondering if this is in the ballpark for this install.

Thanks alot for any help.
Brad

 

[High_Iron]

My insert was installed in 3 hours. If you are handy I would say you could prolly do it yourself. Not much to it.

 

[karl]

That's crazy. Well to me atleast. I'm guessing alot of people are willing to pay that much.

I put a Summit Insert in myself and it didn't take 4-6 hours, and I'm one guy wrestling a big insert around.

I did everything you're going to do except cut the smoke shelf. And I doubt you will have to that if you can get ahold of a piece of flex liner to fish through there.

For 1000 dollar savings, I would give it a shot if I were you.

 

[bluefrier]

$1600 for parts and labor sounds about right for a dealer install (sorry), I got similar qoutes last year and decided
to take on the challenge (it was a breeze). Have you consider DIY?

$4132.50 for this insert?
I can heat my house with my furnace for 7 years at this price.
Brad

Not with energy prices increasing annually.

 

[oconnor]

Jotul Kennebec 2850
30 feet liner kit 529
Misc Brick etc 91
modify firebox to
fit stove 350
Install liner/stove 400
total 4220 + 13% tax

Heating my house with fire I can see - priceless

 

[bfunk13]

I am going to have to tackle it myself.
The guy i talked to at the dealer first said between $500-$800 for the install.
I thought that was pretty fair, now they come back with $1600?
I have a truck and trailer, for $240.00 i will go get it myself.
I am 6'5 350 and my brother is no smaller, is this something we can get in the
door and up to the hearth? I guess they were only going to send 2 guys.

I suppose i better get some recommendations on the parts i will need.
Any flex pipe brands to look for?

Thanks for your help.
Brad

 

[BrotherBart]

I am 5'10" and 165 and I got one that weighs 130 pounds more than the Princess insert up the steps, into the house and up on the raised fireplace hearth by myself. Oh, and I am 61 years old.

Is that enough of a challenge for ya? :lol:

 

[Marty]

I am 5'10" and 165 and I got one that weighs 130 pounds more than the Princess insert up the steps, into the house and up on the raised fireplace hearth by myself. Oh, and I am 61 years old.

Is that enough of a challenge for ya? :lol:

Thank god for mean old sons of bitches.

 

[High_Iron]

Get yourself a hand truck. Piece of cake

 

[pulldownclaw]

Dang they grow them boys big out in Wyoming.

I am not what I would call "handy", and I managed to get my liner installed with the help of a friend, got my blockoff plate done with a little help, and saved myself some bucks. Sounds like a piece of cake for you guys, just read up on the site and go to town.

 

[Saw-dust]

$1600 for parts and labor sounds about right for a dealer install (sorry), I got similar qoutes last year and decided
to take on the challenge (it was a breeze). Have you consider DIY?

$4132.50 for this insert?
I can heat my house with my furnace for 7 years at this price.
Brad

Not with energy prices increasing annually.

I agree.

Have them people deliver the pipe and stove and use the rest of the money on beer for you buddies to help you. You can do it.

what was they gonna "torch" for $80 any way? $120 per hour per guy! I get that much for a backhoe. wow I'm too cheap.

 

[sl7vk]

I am going to have to tackle it myself.
The guy i talked to at the dealer first said between $500-$800 for the install.
I thought that was pretty fair, now they come back with $1600?
I have a truck and trailer, for $240.00 i will go get it myself.
I am 6'5 350 and my brother is no smaller, is this something we can get in the
door and up to the hearth? I guess they were only going to send 2 guys.

I suppose i better get some recommendations on the parts i will need.
Any flex pipe brands to look for?

Thanks for your help.
Brad

Sounds to me like your biggest investment will be in a kick ass ladder. At 350 lbs, you are going to need a great one!

If you can access your chimney from your roof, without a ladder, then you're golden.

I did it myself, on a 22' ladder and it wasn't cake, but it wasn't hard either.

 

[branchburner]

I got two quotes from two different sweeps: both were 2k.
I got two quotes from two different guys who I didn't think knew what they were doing: both were 1k.
Finally found a guy I liked for 1200 - set a date but then he refused to come out beforehand for any site inspection or to answer questions, just wanted to show up and do it. I cancelled.
DIY.