Installation fees

[cjung]

Some questions about installation:

At the local wood stove store, we liked the Lopi Republic 1250 ($1330) but we were turned off by the salesman - in particular his quote of $450 to $600 to install it & remove the old one. Our Vermont Castings Defiant Encore, the entire flue/chimney system, wall heat shield and platform was installed for our house's previous owner by this very same store about 10-12 years ago so it wasn't any sort of sloppy DIY job. The new stove will go into the exact same location of the old one and it's in an easy to access location with no stairs. The whole flue/chimney system is sound (no dents, looseness, or rust), we clean and inspect it a couple of times a season. DH told him all this but the salesman stuck to the quote saying that their installers professionally attach the legs to the stove and professionally connect the stove to the flue pipe. I have to say that we are pretty skeptical.

Later when we were at Lowes looking at the Summers Heat 50-SNC13LC, we asked one of their salesmen about installation. He asked about our current set up and thought we could likely do it ourselves.

So what's the thought on installation fees? We asked about installation because of the hassle factor but $450-600 is quite a chunk of change for us right now. From our description above, does it sound like a DIY job for two reasonably handy people? How long does it typically take? The wood stove store salesman said at least two hours for their installers.

 

[dougand3]

If you're handy, have strong backs and dollies/hand trucks - it's DIY. If flue size = same, clearances are NOT higher numbers for new stove - seems as simple as pulling old stove and placing in new stove. Check hearth insulation and clearance to combustibles for NC-13 vs your old Encore.

 

[thinkxingu]

Lucy,
I always try to think about what my time is worth when looking at installations. My install this week is costing $450. I figure it would take me an hour to pick up the stove, two to three hours to install the chimney liner (though most likely longer because nothing ever goes perfectly!), an hour to install the stove, and then, in your case, time to get rid of the old stove (is there a cost in your area?). SO, I figured about 6 hours and then I add in the lifting, potential aggravation, no support, and potential other costs because I'm not experienced (imagine falling off a 20' ladder?!) and, to me, it was most definitely worth the cost.

HOWEVER, I installed my own stove downstairs because there was already an outlet installed--I just wheeled the new stove on a dolly (no stairs) and connected some pipe. That was not worth paying for.

Good luck,

S

 

[summit]

sounds a little ridiculous, unless they are running all new piping (double wall) for that price as well.

 

[SteveKG]

From what you've told us, sounds like a simple exchange of one stove for another. Personally, I would never pay that much or anywhere near it. But, that's me and I do everything myself.

 

[Linux_Tyro]

Dealers in my area of Texas all quoted $600-700. This includes installing the liner, setting the stove and burning the first break-in fire to check everything out. Since the sweep who cleaned my fireplace the other day does liners I asked him for a quote.

 

[Nic36]

I wonder how his "professional" installation differs from a normal one?

It sounds like it's just a matter of swapping out one stove for another. There is no way I would pay someone 450 to 600 dollars to do that. About the hardest thing that you will have to do is physically move the stove. If you can overcome that part, the rest should be easy, even if you have to install new stove pipe.

 

[dondude]

Just swapped out my stove 2 weeks ago. My 12 year old daughter helped me. Lol If you use the right equipment everything goes easy. Of course i have a dolly which is a godsend whenever moving something big and heavy. If you don't have one borrow or rent one. 455 lbs of stove to get in and out. Went smoothly. Glad to know i saved $450-$600 bucks just don't tell my daughter!!

 

[JotulOwner]

I paid $750 labor for a new installation (hearth pad, stove, pipe, tee out, 20' of SS chimney). I got the same price everywhere including Upstate NY where prices are usually much lower. I have to believe that installation costs are largely based on the cost of insurance to install a solid fuel burning appliance. I wouldn't expect to save much on a reinstallation either since, if anything happens, all fingers will be pointing at the last guy to touch the system, no matter what.

Just my perspective as a casualty claims insurance rep.

 

[BrotherBart]

A stove dealer charges you to put legs on the stove he sells you? What is next? An extra charge for using the back door to remove the stove from his place? The best stove store in this area charges a flat hundred bucks to haul the stove out to your house, sit it on the hearth, shake your hand and leave.