Those of you who've had wood stoves installed - how did you do it?

[DitaVonCheese]

We want to get a wood stove and think we have the money to do it. I emailed three localish companies about a week ago and not one of them has got back to me Then emailed a localish and highly recommended joiner about a number of things but asked about woodstove as well (his website says he takes on bigger projects as well as just joinery) and he is ignoring me too. BAH.

I have the idea that (1) I should get someone who specialises in stoves to do the installation rather than just someone who is registered Gas Safe and (2) it will be cheaper to get the same place to supply and install - could be wrong about both of those though.

What next? There are some supplier/installers a little further away so I guess I can contact them and see if they want to make the journey to quote for the work. Also presumably quotes are still free, right? Why do some websites mention a "survey" and having to pay for it?

Why won't they just cooperate with me?

[jamaisjedors]

I would call up the local companies or even go into a showroom if I were you.

Mind you, we never even got a quote back from the one who came out to us (in France - I thought the UK was better about this sort of thing!).

Are you sure about putting one in? We eventually changed our minds after having been sure 100% - they are a lot of work and mess and effort.

Actually we saw a great wood pellet one which is automatic and you can program to come on etc. which we were tempted by - but rejected in the end because of fears about dust (which there is also from standard wood burners - I am allergic.)

[queenrollo]

this time of year stove installers will be very busy, though that doesn't excuse them not getting back to you.

survey - they will need to survey the site. Our company cocked up on this, didn't do the chimney survey properly and so when the lads got up the scaffold to put the liner in they couldn't do it because our (victorian) chimney was unsafe. This mistake added to our bill the cost of extra scaffolding, the extra days hire for said scaffolding, two days for the builders to take down and rebuild my chimneys. Then for the installation company to find time in the schedule to actually come and fit the liner and stove.
So i'd strongly recommend you do have a proper survey, and a proper HETAS fitter should do this anyway.

Most suppliers will either have in-house fitters or have recommended fitters on their books so it would be worth getting in touch with them.

My chimney sweep also does installations, but when he was here last year he said he doesn't do them during winter months because he's too busy sweeping.

[DitaVonCheese]

Thanks both, will check out some showrooms.

Pretty sure we want one - wanted an open fire originally but told this was better (?).

Should we have to pay for a survey?

[jamaisjedors]

They are definitely better than an open fire - easier to light, kick out more heat,stay in longer (we put a stove in our open fireplace - and as I said, were going to put in another but then realised we hardly ever light the other one - both out of the house full-time and in a different room in the evenings).

Good luck

[Indaba]

Live overseas so can't recommend specifics but they are fab!

Mine came and installed and said "don't clean it and don't empty it until you really have to!"

Lovely smell.

But how much is wood in England? We can go for 4 months here on 400 gbp pounds.

We had one fitted in existing chimney so miss heating effect of exposed hot metal chimney....that makes a big difference.

[Indaba]

and a lot safer if you have kids

[gomez]

We bought online and had fitted locally. Didn't line the chimney after survey. Is fab. Wood costs us about 70/80 per tonne and we generally get through about 3 maybe 4 deliveries per winter. But we do have gas heating too.

We have a Morso Badger cost around 700 notes 8 hrs ago and roughly 500 to fit.

[DitaVonCheese]

Thanks again. Would go in existing chimney where horrible old gas fire has come out. No idea re price of wood but my parents have loads (lose a big tree to gales every few years!) so can probably get some from them ... Actually have seen sign down the road saying £40 I think.

Sorry re brevity, one hand trapprd under sleeping baby!

[queenrollo]

I can't advise on paying for the survey as our installation was done as part of the whole renovation of the dining room.
They are so much better than an open fire, which we had before the burner. We also have an open fire in the living room and will be replacing that with a stove when we win the lottery save enough money.

If you have room to store wood then it's worth spreading your buying over the year as you can pick it up cheaper in the summer months. Also if you have space it's worth sourcing fresh wood that needs seasoning, but this will take up space for at least nine months (you will start to become obsessed about types of wood and how they burn), unseasoned wood is much cheaper.

Ours saves us money on electric too as i have a kettle suitable to sit on the top so don't use the kitchen one during the winter. I do cook on it too, but mostly all day casseroles and soups.
What is your budget? We decided after lots of research to push the boat out and by a Clearview, they are possibly the most efficient brand on the market. Certainly cuts down on the wood consumption (i had a cheaper one elsewhere and it ate fuel). One big consideration for us though is that due to the layout and age of our house it is actually a main source of heating and we wanted something that would withstand being kept lit all winter. I get up in the morning, and revive the embers with some kindling and off it goes again. (it takes a little while to get the knack of keeping it in overnight).

I could waffle for ages about my stove. It's made such a difference to the feel of this room. It's not even cold today but the chimney has just had it's yearly sweep and I want to light a fire in it just so I can sit on the floor in front of it later and crochet with the gentle 'whumping' sound next to me.