Pay for install vs DIY
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We need a lot more info to respond to that question. What skills do you have? What are the installation parameters? How much time do you have?
... background info here:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...etting-lost-with-all-the-info-options.132666/
... background info here:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...etting-lost-with-all-the-info-options.132666/
Poindexter
Minister of Fire
The two factors I looked at were peace of mind and ease of updating my homeowner's insurance.
I did all the labor except for the actual chimney install. For the actual chimney and connectors and stuff I have a receipt from a reputable local shop and my insurance agent didn't even flinch.
I did all the labor except for the actual chimney install. For the actual chimney and connectors and stuff I have a receipt from a reputable local shop and my insurance agent didn't even flinch.
Phoenix Hatchling
Minister of Fire
I hope that was the right one....
Save a bomb, then instead of wasting time cutting, you can blow a hole in the roof.
Seriously, if you have decent mechanical skills it shouldn't be a big deal. But I haven't done many....I can see where certain installs could be a PIA. I second begreen, we need more details...
Cut the red wire . . . no, no . . . the other red wire. 
Sounds like the skill set might be OK . . . or at least you're confident in your skills.
The other issue may be what your insurance company requires . . . my insurance company specifically stated that I needed to have it professionally installed and paperwork signed . . . I suspect this is in case of an incident . . . at which point they could try to recoup some of their loss by going after the installer.
Sounds like the skill set might be OK . . . or at least you're confident in your skills.
The other issue may be what your insurance company requires . . . my insurance company specifically stated that I needed to have it professionally installed and paperwork signed . . . I suspect this is in case of an incident . . . at which point they could try to recoup some of their loss by going after the installer.
The insurance factor would be the big question. The issue is one place already said they are booked till December. And we'll I don't want to wait that long lol. The other question is about warranty.
Another option besides using the dealer for the install is to check with local chimney sweeps . . . around here many of them will do installs.
Beer Belly
Minister of Fire
prezes13
Minister of Fire
I did mine myself with a help of three buddies. The hardest part was to bring the stove into,my living room. Over 500 lbs, 4 guys, I live in a raised ranch do the math. Other than that piece of cake.
cableman
Minister of Fire
Do it yourself. Every installer around here says you dont need insulated liner, block off plate is not needed! I find myself redoing stuff ive paid someone to do for me, but thats just me!
I was debating this but decided I will be doing mine myself for sure, due to price and piece of mind.
after getting high quotes from dealers, no mention of blockoff plate, no insulated liner, reducer from 6" down to 5.5 inch liner for no reason (11x11inch flue)
no thanks
im sure it will be a pain but im only doing it once...I hope
after getting high quotes from dealers, no mention of blockoff plate, no insulated liner, reducer from 6" down to 5.5 inch liner for no reason (11x11inch flue)
no thanks
im sure it will be a pain but im only doing it once...I hope
prezes13
Minister of Fire
id rather not say here, I talked to a few places, some more knowledgeable than others, I will say that I am not referring to the people at fireplaces etc in milford, they were very helpful and I would like to buy through them if I can
jillybeansisme
Member
Well, I'm not sure this is pertinent to your situation, but I installed a ZC fireplace myself in my first house (okay, it was several decades ago). The only thing I needed help with was moving it into place (it weighed a lot more than me). If I could do it and I had no technical skills beyond reading directions (something I realize you guys sometimes have difficulty with!), you should be able to . . . as long as there's no insurance reason not to. It did take me all day. The hardest part was cutting through the roof -- since sitting on the ridge was quite uncomfortable. It seems to me that a stove would be no more difficult.
xSpecBx
Member
My home owners insurance wanted it done professionally. Sent them a receipt for the install and haven't had one complaint from them. If I installed it myself (even though after seeing the installation I probably could have done it myself) im sure I would have needed to jump through a bunch of hoops to get them to sign off or thwy would have raised my rates.
I did mine install, myself, I took my time, read the instructions carefully, everything came out fine.
Had it inspected by the town and no problems from insu. co.
Had it inspected by the town and no problems from insu. co.
I'm working on my second install now. I enjoy doing the work myself and knowing that it's been done correctly. However, I will say that if I had paid someone to do it, I would already be burning. As it sits now, I still have quite a bit of work ahead of me. In my opinion, the value that you get in having a pro do the work comes in the form of having it done quickly. Only being able to dedicate a hour here and there means it's taking quite a while. Then add in some unforeseen issues, and this project is taking longer than expected. Of course, those unforeseen problems would probably have meant a hefty change order if I had a pro working on it.
Apparently he doesn't read here all the horror stories about "professional" installs.
If I were to have a stove installed, knowing what I do now, I'd be asking a lot of questions up front, then I'd be sitting on their shoulder the entire time.
newburner
Burning Hunk
I didn't have a choice. I could've, and wanted to do it myself but our building inspector required the job to be performed by a licensed installer.
Then there's the insurance company...
Then there's the insurance company...
Lots of variables some installs can easily be done by decent diyers and some cant i would say most of the time it is pretty simple. About the pro installs if they will not insulate or do a block off plate keep looking they are not worth paying to do the job. We insulate every liner we put in and seal every on at the bottom whether it be with a block off plate in a fp or mortar in a regular chimney. If you go with a pro just make sure they will do it right some do not
The first step if DIY is to get the chimney completely clean, including the crap collected on the smoke shelf and behind the damper.
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