Chimney and pipe estimate - second opinion needed

[QuarryHouse]

I need to replace the single-wall stove pipe I inherited connecting my BlazeKing Chinook (6" pipe) to the double-wall chimney pipe that runs from the internal ceiling through the roof. The company I called (who has excellent reviews in the area) told me I needed to replace the single-wall pipe but also the entire chimney, saying it is a fire hazard, and quoted me $10,800 for the materials plus labor.

The internal single-wall pipe is 6 feet long, the ceiling to the roof is about 3 feet (the house is a single story ranch) and there's about 7 feet of double-wall chimney above the roof. The estimate seems high to me and I'm not sure why the existing chimney needs to be replaced. It's old - I bought the house in 2016 and the chimney was there then, and was likely installed in 1974 when the house was built.

Even if everything needs to be replaced, based on some searching around online, the materials seem to be on the order of maybe $2,000. What am I missing?

This is the internal setup. Note the area around the stove is all non-flammable Hardie board with a ventilated wall.

And this is the roof view.

 

[Eman85]

I'd price the materials and give it a go myself, looks pretty straight forward. Might need a new support in the ceiling. My setup height wise is similar and I used DW telescoping pipe inside. It's just work as they say depends on how much time you have.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

The roof pitch doesn’t look steep, I think you’d be surprised how easy it would be.

 

[Murray01]

Go to a chimney manufacturer’s website and study their installation instructions paying close attention to their required clearance to combustibles and check those numbers against what you have.

Do you have access to the attic space? If so check clearances there and what products are currently installed vs the manufacturer’s specifications.

Selkirk has an extensive instructions on line. Make sure you’re looking at USA instructions and clearances.

 

[Turbo89]

I’d get a second opinion and ask some more questions; preferably from a licensed sweep that doesn’t do installs. A lot of inspectors in my area inspect to modern code, ignoring that an existing install may have been code compliant when installed.

You don’t need to bring existing installs of anything in your house up to code, unless you’re modifying it (repairing doesn’t count). If it’s truly unsafe, then of course fix it, but I personally would be getting a second opinion before spending that much money.

 

[bholler]

I need to replace the single-wall stove pipe I inherited connecting my BlazeKing Chinook (6" pipe) to the double-wall chimney pipe that runs from the internal ceiling through the roof. The company I called (who has excellent reviews in the area) told me I needed to replace the single-wall pipe but also the entire chimney, saying it is a fire hazard, and quoted me $10,800 for the materials plus labor.

The internal single-wall pipe is 6 feet long, the ceiling to the roof is about 3 feet (the house is a single story ranch) and there's about 7 feet of double-wall chimney above the roof. The estimate seems high to me and I'm not sure why the existing chimney needs to be replaced. It's old - I bought the house in 2016 and the chimney was there then, and was likely installed in 1974 when the house was built.

Even if everything needs to be replaced, based on some searching around online, the materials seem to be on the order of maybe $2,000. What am I missing?

This is the internal setup. Note the area around the stove is all non-flammable Hardie board with a ventilated wall.
View attachment 348832
And this is the roof view.

View attachment 348831

The entire install should be redone. Your stove can not be installed in an alcove. But yes 10k is high.

 

[stoveliker]

In the US it can (when clearances are met, and it's not clear to me they are - if e.g. wood studs are in the wall).
The OP is in NY

 

[bholler]

In the US it can (when clearances are met, and it's not clear to me they are - if e.g. wood studs are in the wall).
The OP is in NY

Oops read it wrong. Thanks

 

[EatenByLimestone]

The hardest part would probably be lifting the shingles if they didn’t want to play, but the roof doesn’t look old at all. Last one I did, I just replaced them above the chimney. It was easier.

 

[QuarryHouse]

In the US it can (when clearances are met, and it's not clear to me they are - if e.g. wood studs are in the wall).
The OP is in NY

In the US it can (when clearances are met, and it's not clear to me they are - if e.g. wood studs are in the wall).
The OP is in NY

Heya - there are no wood studs in the walls surrounding the stove, including the rear - all metal studs, tile board, tile or Hardie board surface. I redid the entire existing surround which had wooden 2x4s with some kind of fake-rock veneer to take out the wood.

I will get a 2nd opinion - I found someone who only does labor and leaves it to the homeowner to source materials, so that will make things clearer. I'm not keen on trying the install myself. The roof pitch is not steep, but I don't really know what I'm doing.

Nor do I know why he thought there was a fire hazard (my wife was home when they came and did not ask more details). He was concerned about what is in the crawl space apparently (I do have access to that) but there it's double-walled pipe and has been in the house for at least 20 years.

When I put the Blaze King in (best stove ever!) and re-built the surround I re-used the existing single-walled pipe and changed nothing else. Now I realize BK wants double-walled pipe and I figured I could just replace the interior single-walled.

 

[bholler]

Heya - there are no wood studs in the walls surrounding the stove, including the rear - all metal studs, tile board, tile or Hardie board surface. I redid the entire existing surround which had wooden 2x4s with some kind of fake-rock veneer to take out the wood.

I will get a 2nd opinion - I found someone who only does labor and leaves it to the homeowner to source materials, so that will make things clearer. I'm not keen on trying the install myself. The roof pitch is not steep, but I don't really know what I'm doing.

Nor do I know why he thought there was a fire hazard (my wife was home when they came and did not ask more details). He was concerned about what is in the crawl space apparently (I do have access to that) but there it's double-walled pipe and has been in the house for at least 20 years.

When I put the Blaze King in (best stove ever!) and re-built the surround I re-used the existing single-walled pipe and changed nothing else. Now I realize BK wants double-walled pipe and I figured I could just replace the interior single-walled.

I would be cautious of someone willing to install whatever the homeowner supplies. They may be very good i dont know. But most reputable professionals only use a brand they know and trust

 

[stoveliker]

Heya - there are no wood studs in the walls surrounding the stove, including the rear - all metal studs, tile board, tile or Hardie board surface. I redid the entire existing surround which had wooden 2x4s with some kind of fake-rock veneer to take out the wood.

I will get a 2nd opinion - I found someone who only does labor and leaves it to the homeowner to source materials, so that will make things clearer. I'm not keen on trying the install myself. The roof pitch is not steep, but I don't really know what I'm doing.

Nor do I know why he thought there was a fire hazard (my wife was home when they came and did not ask more details). He was concerned about what is in the crawl space apparently (I do have access to that) but there it's double-walled pipe and has been in the house for at least 20 years.

When I put the Blaze King in (best stove ever!) and re-built the surround I re-used the existing single-walled pipe and changed nothing else. Now I realize BK wants double-walled pipe and I figured I could just replace the interior single-walled.

Good alcove construction then, it seems.

A second opinion regarding the safety of the current flue set up is good.

 

[BKVP]

Was the $10k estimate from same dealer that sold you your stove?

If not, ask the dealer where you bought the stove for a qoute.

BKVP

 

[stovelark]

That estimate seems high, I'd think it should be about half that. Did you say 7-8' of class A chimney, and about 6' of chimney connector pipe? Good thing that the chimney is straight up, that's kinda short , some stoves don't breathe well, when you used your stove in the setup, did it draft well? Good luck getting it changed out.

 

[fireplaceinsider]

On a single story ranch this is a one or two day job. No way that adds up to $10,800. Fair all in for this job is around $6,000. Get a second quote.

 

[stovelark]

I'd normally think 5-6K as well. Have a couple of installers give you quotes.

 

[QuarryHouse]

In case anyone's interested, someone else came by who only uses Selkirk and

--installed dual-walled pipe from the stove to the ceiling
--put a new thimble in the ceiling plus a plate
--cleaned out the chimney

Says the existing chimney is fine, if old, but the thimble connection was leaky and there was staining and creosote building around it.

$2,000 not $11,000.

 

[ScottLewis]

The $10K estimate is a total rip off. It is bizarre. Find a different installer crew.