Summary
Wood burner ("stove") installations are one of the most-quoted heating jobs by chimney sweeps, roofers and HETAS-registered fitters. The price spread is huge — a like-for-like swap with a clean liner can be a one-day job, while a new install in a property with no existing chimney can run into a multi-day project with twin-wall flue, hearth construction and a structural opening.
For a tradesperson, the pricing question is rarely "what does a stove cost" — that's a fixed retail number. The real money is in correctly scoping the flue, hearth, register plate, CO alarm and Building Regs compliance, then charging properly for the time and risk of getting Part J wrong (which can void insurance and trigger an enforcement notice from Building Control).
The single biggest cost driver is whether the existing flue can be reused, whether it needs a flexible liner, or whether the entire flue must be built from scratch as twin-wall insulated. Diagnose this before quoting — never quote off a customer's description.
Key Facts
- HETAS registration — installers can self-certify under the Competent Persons Scheme without involving LABC. Non-HETAS installs require a Building Regs notice and inspection, adding £200–£400 in fees and a 4–6 week timeline.
- Building Regulations Part J — applies to all combustion appliance installations. Sets requirements for hearths, fireplace recesses, flue construction, air supply and CO alarms.
- CO alarm (BS EN 50291-1:2018+A1:2023) — mandatory for every new install in the same room as the stove. Must be sited 1–3m from the appliance, 150mm minimum below the ceiling.
- Hearth requirements — minimum 12mm constructional hearth for stoves below 5kW. Above 5kW, full 250mm thick constructional hearth required.
- Hearth dimensions — must extend 300mm in front of the stove door and 150mm to each side at minimum.
- Distance to combustibles — typically 150mm minimum from the stove body to any combustible wall, unless the manufacturer's data sheet permits less.
- Twin-wall flue — insulated stainless steel flue used where there is no existing chimney. Costs £80–£150 per metre supply-only; installation adds £400–£800 in labour for a typical 4-5m run.
- Flexible flue liner — 904-grade stainless for wood, 316-grade for occasional use only. 5-6m liner costs £350–£600 supply; installation typically £400–£700 including register plate.
- Register plate (closure plate) — seals the chimney throat around the liner. Required on every lined chimney install to prevent debris fall and improve draw.
- Air vent — required for stoves >5kW under Approved Document Part J. Vent area: 550mm² per kW above 5kW for non-roomsealed appliances.
- DEFRA-exempt stoves — required in Smoke Control Areas (most UK cities). Look for the DEFRA exemption mark; non-exempt stoves cannot legally burn wood in these zones.
- Ecodesign 2022 — all new stoves sold from January 2022 must meet Ecodesign emissions standards. Older non-Ecodesign stock cannot be installed new.
- Carbon monoxide test — HETAS-registered installers should commission with a flue gas analyser to confirm safe combustion.
- Smoke test (BS 6461) — required after install to verify flue integrity. Single smoke pellet test minimum; sweep test recommended.
Quick Reference Table
Spending too long on quotes? squote turns a 2-minute voice recording into a professional quote.
Try squote free →| Job Type | Day Rate Range | Typical Duration | Total Labour Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Like-for-like swap (existing liner) | £300–£400/day | 0.5–1 day | £150–£400 |
| New stove + new flexi liner | £350–£500/day | 1–1.5 days | £400–£700 |
| New stove + twin-wall flue (4-5m) | £400–£550/day | 2 days | £800–£1,100 |
| Full opening + lintel + hearth + flue | £400–£550/day | 3–5 days | £1,200–£2,500 |
| Material | Typical Trade Price (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 5kW DEFRA-exempt stove | £600–£1,400 | Mid-market UK brands |
| 904-grade flexible flue liner (per m) | £55–£80 | Most common size: 150mm |
| Twin-wall flue (per m) | £80–£150 | Stainless, insulated |
| Twin-wall components (tee, finial, support bracket) | £300–£600 total | Per typical install |
| Register plate | £40–£90 | Off-the-shelf metal |
| CO alarm (BS EN 50291) | £25–£45 | Battery sealed for 10-year life |
| Cowl / anti-downdraught | £60–£140 | Required on most installs |
| Hearth (granite slab, 1.2m × 0.6m) | £150–£350 | Plus install labour |
Detailed Guidance
Scoping the job before quoting
Never quote a wood burner installation off a phone call. Always do a site visit because the price spread depends entirely on the flue condition.
SITE VISIT DECISION TREE
========================
Existing working chimney?
├── YES → Sweep + smoke test → liner needed?
│ ├── Lined recently (under 10 years) → £1,800–£2,400 install
│ ├── Unlined or old liner → £2,400–£3,500 install
│ └── Failed smoke test, debris/cracking → £3,500–£5,000 (rebuild + liner)
└── NO → Twin-wall flue install
├── Internal route to ridge → £3,500–£5,500
├── External route (down side of house) → £4,000–£6,500
└── Restricted access / scaffold required → +£800–£1,500
What to check on the visit:
- Chimney breast intact? Look for crack lines, bulges, or evidence of a previously-removed chimney breast above (gallows brackets in the loft = removed lower breast = potential structural issue).
- Flue path — bends count. More than two 45° bends in a flexi liner reduces draw and complicates installation.
- Hearth in place? Many modern living rooms had the hearth tiled over. A constructional hearth often needs to be rebuilt.
- Combustible mantelpiece — distance to stove top must meet manufacturer's data sheet, often 600mm clearance minimum.
- Smoke Control Area — check on gov.uk. If yes, DEFRA-exempt stove only.
Labour breakdown for a typical lined install
A standard "new stove into existing chimney with flexi liner" job:
| Phase | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sweep chimney | 1 | Required before lining |
| Drop liner (rooftop access) | 2 | Two-person job, scaffold or access tower |
| Fit register plate, cowl, debris guard | 1.5 | Working from roof + inside |
| Build/install hearth | 1.5 | If existing hearth inadequate |
| Position stove, connect to liner | 1 | Vermiculite or rope sealant at joint |
| Commission, smoke test, CO test | 1 | Flue gas analyser readings recorded |
| HETAS notification + paperwork | 0.5 | Notifying the scheme |
| Total | 8.5 hrs | One full day for two trades |
Materials markup and where margin sits
The stove itself is rarely a margin item — customers will price-compare. Charge cost+10–15% on the appliance, mainly to cover delivery, returns and warranty handling.
Margin sits in:
- Flue components — these are technical and customers won't price-compare. Mark up 30–50%.
- Labour — full day rate, never hourly for installation.
- HETAS registration value — being HETAS-registered eliminates Building Regs fees and 4–6 weeks of delay. Charge a "compliance premium" of £150–£250 above a non-registered installer's quote.
- Sweep + smoke test — bundle in or charge separately at £80–£120.
Twin-wall flue installs — the high-margin job
When there's no chimney, the install becomes a structural job:
- Internal route — flue goes up through the floor, attic and out at the ridge. Requires cutting through floor structure, fireproofing penetrations (60-minute fire resistance required at each floor), and a roof flashing kit.
- External route — flue exits through a side wall, then runs up the outside of the building to clear the roof eaves. Cheaper structurally but requires more flue (heat loss) and external supports every 1.5m.
Twin-wall installs require:
- Structural support brackets at each storey
- 50mm clearance to combustibles maintained throughout
- Roof flashing kit (storm collar, flashing, top cover)
- A finial that terminates 1m above the ridge if within 2.3m horizontal of the ridge (Approved Document Part J Diagram 17)
These are 2-day jobs minimum. Quote at £4,500–£6,500.
Customer-facing pricing structure
Use a 3-tier quote presentation:
| Tier | What's Included | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|
| Standard install | DEFRA-exempt 5kW stove, flexi liner, register plate, CO alarm, HETAS sign-off | £2,200 |
| Premium install | Cast-iron stove, twin-wall, structural hearth, decorative finial | £4,500 |
| Bespoke | Custom recess, lintel work, full chimney build | £6,500+ |
This anchors customers around the mid-tier and stops them haggling the floor price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need HETAS registration to install wood burners?
No, but without it every install must be notified to Building Control before work starts. That adds £200–£400 in fees and a 4–6 week wait for sign-off. HETAS registration costs around £450/year (including insurance) and pays back in the first 3–4 installs through faster turnaround and the "registered installer" trust signal. If you do more than 6 stove installs a year, registration is the obvious move.
Can I install a wood burner in a Smoke Control Area?
Yes, but only DEFRA-exempt models can legally burn wood. The exemption list is maintained by DEFRA (search "DEFRA approved appliances"). Burning non-exempt fuels in a non-exempt stove in a Smoke Control Area carries fines up to £300 per offence under the Clean Air Act 1993 as amended by the Environment Act 2021.
What's the difference between a HETAS notification and Building Control notification?
HETAS registration lets you self-certify the install under the Competent Persons Scheme. You notify HETAS within 30 days and they issue the certificate to the homeowner. Without it, the homeowner must submit a Building Notice to Local Authority Building Control before work starts, and an inspector must visit the site. Both routes satisfy Building Regulations; HETAS is faster and the customer pays you (not the council).
How much should I charge for a chimney sweep before installation?
A pre-install sweep is required to clear creosote and debris and confirm the flue is structurally sound. Bundle it into the quote at £80–£120, or charge separately if the customer requests a "survey only" visit. Always do a smoke pellet test after sweeping to confirm flue integrity — if the test fails, the install can't proceed without lining or repair.
Do all wood burners need a CO alarm?
Yes. CO alarm to BS EN 50291-1 is mandatory under Building Regulations Approved Document Part J for any new installation of a solid fuel appliance. The alarm must be sited in the same room as the appliance, between 1m and 3m horizontally from the appliance, and 150mm minimum below the ceiling. Battery-sealed 10-year alarms are now standard.
Regulations & Standards
Building Regulations Approved Document Part J (Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems) — sets all requirements for hearths, flues, ventilation and CO alarms.
BS EN 50291-1:2018+A1:2023 — Electrical apparatus for the detection of carbon monoxide in domestic premises. Specifies CO alarm standards.
BS 6461-1:1984 — Installation of chimneys and flues. Specifies smoke test procedures.
BS EN 1856-1:2009 — Chimneys – Requirements for metal chimneys. Twin-wall flue specification.
BS EN 13501-1:2018 — Reaction to fire classification. Applies to register plate and surrounding materials.
Clean Air Act 1993 (as amended by Environment Act 2021) — Smoke Control Areas and DEFRA exemption requirements.
HETAS Technical Handbook — the de facto industry standard reference for solid fuel installations.
Approved Document J — Combustion appliances (gov.uk) — primary regulation
HETAS — Find a Registered Business — Competent Persons Scheme details
DEFRA Approved Appliances list — DEFRA-exempt stove search
Smoke Control Area check (gov.uk) — local SCA verification
HSE — Carbon Monoxide guidance — CO safety reference
co alarm positioning — CO alarm siting rules
log burner pricing guide — related cost guide
competent person schemes list — HETAS and other CPS schemes
sweep frequency by fuel type — ongoing maintenance