Wood stove installation

Installing a wood burning stove is skilled craftsmanship

Installing a wood burning stove involves far more than simply placing the appliance: the hearth plate, safety clearances from combustible materials, connecting to a proper flue pipeline, and the initial test burn together ensure your stove operates safely and efficiently for decades. We take care of everything, with labor costs ranging from 500 to 950 euros, complete with an installation certificate for your insurer.

From a freestanding stove connected to an existing chimney to a completely new twin-wall flue routing through the roof: you receive 1 fixed price upfront, and afterwards a stove that burns exactly as the manufacturer intended.

A properly installed wood stove achieves 75 to 85 percent efficiency, whereas a poorly installed one simply wastes your wood straight up the chimney.

How we install your wood stove

1. Step 1: free home survey and advice

   We assess the preferred location, the condition of the chimney, and the air supply, sizing the required output specifically for your home. Within 48 hours, you receive a detailed quote with separate line items for the appliance, flue pipe, and labor. We also map out the position for the external air intake and the flue route beforehand, ensuring a seamless installation day.

2. Step 2: flue system preparation

   A viable chimney receives a custom flexible stainless steel liner, while properties without a chimney get a twin-wall insulated flue system routed through the roof or external wall. Both routes end with a comprehensive draught measurement test.

3. Step 3: positioning and connecting the stove

   The stove is leveled on a hearth plate costing 60 to 100 euros, maintaining exact safety distances from combustible materials as stated on the data plate. We connect the flue pipe gas-tight using heat-resistant sealant and suitable wall rosettes.

4. Step 4: test burn, certification, and lighting lesson

   Together, we light the initial fire using the top-down Swiss method, fine-tune the air dampers, and provide your installation certificate. You immediately learn how to light, fuel, and extinguish the fire without smoke or soot build-up.

Freestanding, inset, or soapstone

The classic freestanding stove offers the quickest installation and provides immediate radiant heat. An inset stove or built-in fireplace seamlessly integrates into the wall and requires custom enclosure construction, which we offer via a dedicated inset fireplace installation service. Soapstone and thermal mass stoves weigh between 150 and 400 kilograms, delivering hours of gentle heat retention, but require a load-bearing floor that we verify beforehand. Cast iron retains heat longer, while steel heats up faster: we clearly explain these differences to help you choose.

How much does installing a wood stove cost?

The installation labor itself ranges between 500 and 950 euros. On top of this comes the flue system: lining an existing chimney costs 900 to 1,800 euros, while a new twin-wall insulated flue path runs between 1,500 and 3,000 euros. The stove itself starts from 500 to 1,500 euros for entry-level models and 1,500 to 3,500 euros for premium brands such as Dovre, Saey, Jøtul, or Stûv. In total, a complete professional installation usually lands between 2,500 and 6,000 euros.

Combustion air supply: the forgotten half of installation

A wood stove requires dozens of cubic meters of air per hour, and that air must come from somewhere. In well-insulated homes equipped with mechanical ventilation (MVHR) or powerful extractor hoods, negative pressure quickly develops, causing smoke to leak back into the room rather than drawing up the flue.

We check this during our site survey and, if necessary, install a dedicated direct external air supply (80 to 100 millimeters) straight to the stove. This keeps combustion stable, even with extractor fans running, without drawing warm air out of your living room.

Hearth plates and clearance distances

Any stove placed on a combustible floor requires a glass or steel floor hearth plate costing 60 to 100 euros, extending at least 30 centimeters in front of the door and 10 centimeters on each side. Stray sparks and embers then fall safely onto the plate, protecting your hardwood or carpet.

For single-wall flue pipes, standard safety regulations require a distance from combustibles equal to 3 times the pipe diameter, meaning 45 centimeters for a 150 millimeter pipe. Using twin-wall connecting pipes or heat shields, we can safely reduce these distances in tight spaces, always in full compliance with manufacturer specifications.

Are wood burning stoves still permitted?

Yes. Wood burning stoves are fully permitted, provided they meet strict modern standards: new appliances must comply with Ecodesign regulations, offering at least 75 percent efficiency and maximum particulate emissions of 40 milligrams per cubic meter. Every stove we fit meets these requirements. Existing older stoves can remain in use, but when upgrading, Ecodesign is the smartest choice for significantly lower wood consumption. Learn more on the official regional guidance on domestic heating.

What heat output is right for your home?

As a rule of thumb, calculate 1 kilowatt per 8 to 10 square meters for moderately insulated spaces, and 1 kilowatt per 15 to 20 square meters for well-insulated modern homes. Buying an oversized stove is a common mistake: it forces you to damp down the fire, causing soot-stained glass and creosote build-up in the flue. We calculate the exact heat output required during our free home survey.

After installation: maintaining top performance

A wood stove requires 1 annual service alongside regular chimney sweeping. You can easily schedule this through our annual wood stove maintenance service or our combined stove service and chimney sweep package. Combined with the top-down lighting technique outlined in our guide on lighting a wood stove correctly, you will extract maximum heat from every log all winter long.