Stove Installations

Stove installations should be undertaken by a HETAS accredited installer. They are trained and certified by HETAS to install stoves to comply with building regulations and they can sign off their own work. Stoves can be installed DIY or by a builder but these install will need to be signed off by the building control team at your local council.

We can arrange a full installation service across Brighton & Hove and the surrounding areas, by trained and experienced HETAS accredited stove installers. Have a look at our Stoves page for more information about stoves and to view the range we sell or call us on 01273 726 989 or 07742 829898 to talk through your requirements.

The Cost of an Installation

The cost of an installation is determined by a number of factors including your choice of stove, the type of flue liner required for the fuel being burned, the height of the building, the position of the stove in the room, if there is any building work required to make room for the stove and any additional work to ‘make good’ afterwards.

Flue Liners
Stove flue-liners are made of steel and are sold by metre. There are different sizes and grades of steel depending on the specification of the stove and the fuel that will be burned. Most wood burners require a liner that is 6 inches in diameter. There are some that require a 5 inch diameter i.e. ‘DEFRA Exempt Stoves’ and there are some bigger stoves that might need a bigger liner. The stove manufacturer will specify the liner requirement.

The type of burner and the fuel being burned will determine the grade of the stainless steel the liner should be made from. There are two grades of stainless steel used, ‘316’ grade or ‘904’ grade and the difference is that the 904 grade is a higher grade. Wood only burners can be installed with a 316 grade liner. Multi-fuel burners where a combination of fuel is being burned, i.e. wood and smokeless coal, require a 904 liner. A 904 liner is made from thicker steel as the combination of the acids emitted when burning the different fuels is more corrosive. You can use a 316 liner on a multi-fuel stove, as long as you only burn wood on the stove.

There are lots of liner manufacturers and they are not all the same quality. The liner is a flexible steel coil and cheap liners can tear or unravel. Prices range from around £10 per metre to over £30 per metre. This is one of those times that buying cheap really isn’t a good idea. If the liner is damaged during installation or doesn’t last long because it is so cheaply made, not only can it be a waste of money, it can be dangerous. A reputable installer will recommend a good quality liner. Fore example ‘DuraFlue‘ are recognised in the industry as a high quality liner manufacturer.

Flue Height & Chimney Position
Flue liners are installed by inserting them through the top of the chimney and feeding them down through the property to the stove. The height of the building and position of the chimney could mean that scaffolding is needed to reach the top of the chimney and safely install and this is an extra cost. An ideal situation is a flat roof with easy access.

Preparation and Making Good
If there is any building work required to make room for the stove and any additional work to ‘make good’ afterwards, this will incur an additional cost. Your installer should visit the property before install so they can give you an accurate expectation of what is required and how much it will cost.

Man Hours
A big part of the cost of any work is the man hours it takes to complete the work. Installing a stove at our own home took two men about eight hours split over two days to fully complete the install. This included installing an 11 metre flue liner fitted to a stove inside a chimney breast recess in a Victorian terraced house, fitting a hearth and allowing time for plaster in the recess and concrete around a new chimney pot to set. Despite the fact it is a pitched roof, they did not need scaffolding. Total installation cost – £1,100 inc all parts and labour and stove cost £750.

It is difficult to state an average install cost given that the amount of work required can differ from install to install.

Sweeping
All installations require the chimney to be swept first to remove debris and blockages and ensure a clear path for the liner

Buying a Stove Without An Installation

There are a number of regulations that must be adhered to when installing any type of stove and sign off is required once installed. Your HETAS accredited installer can sign off his own work but a DIY install or an install completed by a general builder who does not have HETAS accreditation MUST be signed of by your councils building control team. They will come out to the property to check the install has been carried out correctly and they charge a fee for this, around £150 in Brighton. It is definitely worth calling building control BEFORE the install and asking them what exactly they will need to see when they come out. Just so there is no time and money wasted on a visit where they council rep is not happy or able to see what they need to see and another visit is required.

Installing a flue liner can be tricky and messy. It also involves working on the roof as the liner is installed from the top down. This means a good head for heights and appropriate insurance for working at height are essential. We always recommend using a HETAS accredited installer as they are trained, experienced and can self-certify their own work, so no fees to building control.

To Book A Professional Chimney Sweep In Brighton & Hove, Get In Touch Today To book a chimney sweep appointment, call us on 01273 726 989 or 07742 829 848. Alternatively you can book online using our simple Online Booking Tool. It is quick and easy to use, you can select the date and time that suits you and pay securely with a debit or credit card via Stripe. Stay safe when using your fire or stove, keep your chimney clean!