some info on log burners/ stoves please

[warmmeup]

How do you find someone who is competent to alter the existing fireplace and make a neat job of plastering?

we want to install a stove- already got an open fire. last year we had some quotes and they were quite expensive but also we didn't have much faith in the companies for various reasons.

DH is very handy and could prob do it himself- we know you have to pay for a hetas inspection- but our main concern is the fireplace. It's modern and brick ( exposed) and needs one brick removing each side and one brick above to give room for the stove. We don't feel confident that someone who does stoves is also good at plastering and making good the fireplace. So who would you choose- a plasterer? A builder? It's the main focal point of the lounge so we don't want it ballsed up.

[wowfudge]

A company that fits stoves will usually be able to do the other necessary work or will subcontract or recommend someone to do the things they can't surely?

[warmmeup]

The local companies we had quotes from do not have a good reputation we found out...( neighbours have seen work done in other houses) and the few independent stove men seem to be ok at the fitting but are not plasterers.

[SwedishEdith]

A lot have websites with photos to show you their previous work so you can judge from that

[apermanentheadache]

A plasterer would be able to do that I would think. But you would need to make sure it was building regs/ HETAS compliant.

[Bert2e]

The company who installed the stove had a brickie and a plasterer who worked with them - the plasterer then went on to plaster the rest of the downstairs of the house he was so good! One of the other companies we looked at wanted us to source our own brickie and plasterer - we didn't use them!

[LadyKooKoo]

Where are you? Ours did everything and was tidy too!

[Warmmeup]

we are in Herts.

The quotes we had last year were around £2K which seemed a rip off considering the price of the actual stove was around £750-£800 and it's not the most complicated job in the world.

[Bert2e]

It's probably the chimney liner that's putting the price up - ours was more expensive than the stove! £2k sounds about right.

[apermanentheadache]

If that's a HETAS-registered workman, and includes the price of the stove, then bizarrely that's a good deal. If your DH is half competent, I would let him have a stab at it. He'll have to be confident going up on the roof though as you would need a cowl over the chimney, and will need to follow proper guidance/ get all the required sign-offs. Check out the cost of getting the inspections of his workmanship, as that could add to the DIY cost. I don't think the liners cost very much.

[apermanentheadache]

I mean, the cost of the building regulations certificate. That wasn't clear, sorry.

[GalaxyInMyPants]

We're getting a log burner. There is a local wood burner/gas fire show room and they do everything. Knock the hole in the chimney breast, plaster, new hearth, line the chimney.......I know people who have used them and they've done a good job.

They're ringing back with a quote today. I'm expecting it to be anywhere up to 3k.

[warmeup]

I still think they rip people off. when you work out the cost of the materials then the labour- and it is labour, not skilled work a lot of it- you are paying Harley St surgeons fees per hour!

[apermanentheadache]

Agree, warmeup, I did the same sums when we had ours done. I almost wanted to retrain then and there as a HETAS engineer :)

[Shallishanti]

we had ours done and the same firm did the lot, it was fine - I agree it was expensive- but like people say, it's the cost of the liner- and I woud want a LOT of money for climbing up on my roof.

[GalaxyInMyPants]

Ha ha. I said the same, thinking of a career change and fit log burning stoves. Or maybe just be a sweep.

[GalaxyInMyPants]

Ok, I've got a quote. £2250, doesn't inc stove or scaffolders.

So I'm looking at 4k


Breakdown is;
£2250. Plus scaffolding. Plus stove

Liner. 600
Kit 250
Hearth 400. Granite
Board 100
Beam 300
Labour 600

Scaffolders about £350