chimney materials markup/install questions

[Darl Bundren]

I recently got two quotes to install a Woodstock stove in a room we'll be finishing up in the basement by the end of October. We'll be going through a cinderblock wall and up, the installer folks estimate that we'll need 16' of pipe once we're outside of the house.

One estimate is $3100. The second estimate is $1633. I felt okay with the lower estimate, but when the business emailed me the estimate, I cross-referenced their materials with offerings online, and the online prices are quite a bit lower. For example, the cheaper estimate quoted me $425 for an Airjet through the wall kit (part number 6sotk); online, I can get them for $250 or so. I'd have to throw in money on shipping, of course, but I don't think shipping would be $175, which is the difference in price.

So, for folks in the know, is this pretty much a standard practice in the industry for materials to be marked up that much?

And, I feel inclined to haggle--for those folks who have had installers install their stoves, was the first estimate the final estimate, or do installers sometimes come down in price?

I realize that the guys at the business have to make a living, but I'm not really comfortable with spending more than I should.

 

[Hogwildz]

I'm not in the stove business, but I am in the over the road tractor trailer ins. industry.
With the cost of fuel these days, I have seen shipping prices triple in the last year or so.
The kit depending on size & weight, could very well need to be shipped via freight carrier if too big or heavy by UPS or Fed EX standards.
Cargo freight charges could very well be in the $100 to $175 range.
Worst case scenario, purchase it yourself, but you may also have to install yourself. Any business that supplies parts & labor, makes their profit on both the labor and parts.
When I deal with repair shops, typical parts markup is in the 20-25% range over shops cost.