Wood-burning stoves are a great feature for those dark winters where you just want to cosy up around the fire.
But how much are you willing to pay for that idyllic scenario? You may be able to find the cost of the stoves themselves online, but many contractors don’t show their actual installation costs until they’ve seen your space.
This article will cover the the costs and prices you can expect to pay if you want to install a wood-burning or log-burning stove in the UK, factors that affect the cost and other common questions around installing wood burning stoves.
Average Wood-Burning Stove Installation Costs
We received quotes from 23 different suppliers across the country. The prices given below are to both supply good quality wood-burning stove and the works typically associated with installing one within a home.
(This usually includes adding items like a new hearth, a new flue lining or opening the fireplace up. If you don’t understand these terms, don’t worry, we’ll cover them shortly).
| Description | Cost |
|---|---|
| Average | 2640 |
| Typical Range | £1960 - £3300 |
| Cheapest - Most Expensive | £1500 - £3700 |
These are the average installation costs without a stove. Wood and log burning stoves start from £500, so to get a total price, add your stove cost onto the total installation cost.
| Description (Installation Only) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Average | £1230 |
| Typical Range | £825 - £1430 |
| Cheapest - Most Expensive | £440 - £1650 |
This installation cost is made up of the following works:
| Description of Work | Cost |
|---|---|
| Flue liner | £330 - £580 |
| Remove existing fireplace and open up fireplace to builders opening | £50 |
| Make opening wider if necessary | £100 |
| Supply and fit lintel at new height | £65 |
| Supply and lay limestone herth | £165 - £330 |
| Render inside opening and plaster face | £300 |
| Supply and fit Oak Beam/Shelf (48" x 6" x 3") | £220 |
| Rubbish Removal | £30 |
An Ecodesign ready stove is our recommendation as this means it is very clean burning and will meet currently proposed emission requirements for 2022.
Factors That Affect the Cost
Type of Flue Liner Needed
The flue liner required is one of the biggest cost differences. It is the barrier inside a chimney that protects the chimney and chimney walls from heat, corrosion and products of combustion.
The flue liner a contractor recommends is dependent on whether you have a chimney and the quality it’s in.
If your property has a chimney, a flexible metal flue liner can be dropped down the chimney and connected to the stove. If there is no chimney, a chimney needs to be created with a twin wall flue system, which increases the cost.
However, your chimney may be blocked or the opening not big enough. If this is the case, then a chamber will need to be opened to house a stove along with lining a blocked chimney. If the chimney already has an open chamber big enough, this will be cheaper.
The two main types of flue liners are grade 316 liners and grade 904 liners. The 316 liner is commonly used for domestic wood-burning stoves.
The 904 is a higher grade liner, meaning that it is thicker and more resilient than the 316. This makes it more commonly used for multifuel appliances, smokeless fuels and boiler stoves.
If you need a 904 liner, expect to pay roughly extra £130.
Homes built before 1965 tend to have a standard, brick-built chimney. The likelihood is most people will need a liner.
Stove Quality
Prices vary wildly depending on the design and quality of the stove you buy. Prices start from about £500 but can go up to £3,000+.
Generally, products that have been manufactured in the UK or Europe will tend to be slightly more expensive than Chinese products.
Location & Company Size
Prices in the south of the country are generally more expensive than in the north. In London and surrounding areas, expect to pay an extra £200 – £300 for the extra labour costs.
One-man or small traders will usually charge less. Expect to pay a couple of hundred pounds extra for a larger firm with overheads.
Access Required
If any installation work above 2m height needs to be conducted, then scaffolding will be required.
Can you Install a Stove Without an Existing Chimney?
It can definitely help to have an existing chimney and chimney cowl, but it isn’t necessary. However, it’s a common misconception that a wood burning stove needs to have an existing chimney and chimney cowl to be installed.
A majority of homeowners who own a wood burning stove don’t have an existing chimney or chimney cowl at all, especially since chimneys are less common in houses built after the 1950’s.
That said, you do still need some ventilation from your wood burning stove otherwise it would be too dangerous to have inside.
The solution to this is called a twin wall flue system – a stainless steel flue system that ventilates hot air out of the house to prevent heat build up.
Get Prices on Wood Burning Stoves
We’ve done our best to give you a good idea of what you can expect to pay for a wood-burning stove installation.
However, our guides are not a substitute for a fixed written quote specifically for you.
We work with all the best wood burning stove installation experts ready to price your job. Get free, no-obligation quotes in your local area and compare prices using the form below.
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- Local Wood Burning Stove Experts Near You
About the Author
Alex Johnson is a qualified quantity surveyor and writer with a passion for conducting original research and uncovering the true cost of jobs. His cost data has been referenced by EDF Energy and the Scottish Government.