Wood Stoves/Inserts

[Curly]

I'm in the process of updating a fireplace/chimney that I don't use due to cost of heating the house. I know the fireplace by itself isn't efficient at all so I'm leaning towards a wood burning stove or an insert. Anybody that has recommendations on who can do the wood stove or insert part of it, please let me know. After pricing a few (very expensive) doing it myself isn't out of the question. I've sided my whole house, put in new windows, doors and updated the bathroom. Doing this wood stove thing doesn't look that difficult and safety is at the top of the list. Thank you in advance.

[max1]

I installed my freestanding wood stove, I have modest skills and it sounds like you could do the same. When I was finished I had the insurance company inspect it.

All that aside do not left people talk you into a pellet or corn burning stove
Burning wood is a second job if you intend to do it ALL yourself.
I would check to see if its cheaper to run a pipe through the wall instead of lining the chimney

if all that checks out and you decide to do it let me know I can offer advise or even help if ya need it, and I can turn ya on to the place where I cut all my firewood cheap.

[Bellicose]

and I can turn ya on to the place where I cut all my firewood cheap.

Max I know someone in your area, that's looking for some good firewood. Would you be able to let me know of your good cheap firewood spots?

[max1]

yup

[Bellicose]

I asked and all I got was a yup? Come on man, what's the skinny.....lol

[Curly]

I installed my freestanding wood stove, I have modest skills and it sounds like you could do the same. When I was finished I had the insurance company inspect it.

All that aside do not left people talk you into a pellet or corn burning stove
Burning wood is a second job if you intend to do it ALL yourself.
I would check to see if its cheaper to run a pipe through the wall instead of lining the chimney

if all that checks out and you decide to do it let me know I can offer advise or even help if ya need it, and I can turn ya on to the place where I cut all my firewood cheap.

Thanks max. I'm leaning towards wood insert or stove because I have no interest in a pellet stove. The main reason is I don't want to be at the mercy of supply/demand and price of the pellets. I can always get wood..........lol. My brother in law had some problems getting pellets before and I don't need electricity to run a wood appliance, except for the blower if needed. I just got one estimate for the rehab of the chimney, I about fell out of my chair. For rebuilding about 5 feet of it (upper half), it's beyond just re-pointing, and re-pointing the lower half and cleaning it up.....$2600 WTF? I'm getting a few more estimates this week. The few estimates I got for the stove/insert installed with a stainless steel liner are hovering around 4 grand. This shit is getting ridiculous.

[max1]

Yea cost was what drove me. Its backbreaking work it dirties the house but it costs next to nothing except time. If it was me I would head over to
WOODSTOVES AND MORE
2703 PHILADELPHIA PIKE
CLAYMONT, DE 19703
(302) 798-6100

Get an idea on how much a stoves gonna cost, a good stove is going to set you back a bit, but its a good investment. If those are too pricy for you go to the local Tractor Supply store they have some reasonable priced stoves but be careful you get what you pay for. It easy to run a pipe right out the side of the house and up and a hell of a lot cheaper then redoing the whole chimney

[Grin]

Curly, I know a guy that does mason work on the side. If you decide you're gonna rehab the chimney he might be able to save you a few bucks. I'll ask him if he needs the work tomorrow.

[Grin]

I talked to the dude this morning , he said he'll look at it and give you an estimate if you like. PM for phone #

[Curly]

You'll get a kick out of this. Estimates for fixing the chimney: $1000, $1750, $1900, $2600 (mentioned above), $3000 and the most expensive one....$4590 by a place called Chimney Aid (I almost told the guy to suck......I didn't though). On top of that, his estimate was on a business card. He said he didn't bring any blank proposals with him. Obviously he didn't need the job.

[Sugr]

Curly, I've found huge differences on job estimates. It doesn't matter if it's simple tree trimming or an addition.

[Curly]

You ain't kidding Sugr.

[Curly]

Chimney work is done. Turned out great!
Before and After.

[Sugr]

Sweet. Looks good Curly.

[Curly]

November 10th the insert and liner are being installed. I can't wait.

[Curly]

I have to show you this. My neighbor had hers done a few years ago and went with the low bid. She has the same house lay-out as I. Ouch! To get a close up, click on the pic then double click and zoom. It gets uglier.

[Sugr]

I'd have to knock that off the house myself. She should put a sign with the company/person's name on it, like those dog shaming pictures.

[Curly]

I'd have to knock that off the house myself. She should put a sign with the company/person's name on it, like those dog shaming pictures.

She's much older and I suspect she didn't know any better when she had it done. Now she has something to compare it to because she can't miss it. That's her driveway and Jeep in the "before" pic.

So people know exactly what was done and if they are in the market for mason/stone/concrete/walkway/paver work: As you can see, the top portion was beyond just repointing so I wanted to knock it down, rebuild it and add two feet to improve draft. The bottom half was grinded and repointed where necessary. I watched during most of the process. New bricks were used for the rebuilding part. The lowest bidder said they would use the existing bricks....After seeing how they looked and the mortar you'd have to clean off them, no way. It would take to much time and when I did try to clean a few, they cracked or chipped. The guys that did the job said up front they won't use the old bricks because of the issues I mentioned AND they can't trust the integrity of the old bricks. Makes sense. During the repointing part, they grinded out the old mortar 3/4 inch into the joints then filled and finished with new concrete mix (they called it Type N mortar). I, myself could probably do some small repointing work after seeing how they did it but the rebuilding part, forget it. These guys were the original estimate I griped about for 2600 but after some back and forth, they went out of their way and came down to something I could fit in the budget. Sorry, that's between me and them. I learned a lot. Great guys (two brothers), professional and extremely miticulous. They called when they said they would and showed up when they said they would and cleaned up everything. The thing I liked also was they did the estimate AND did the work. PM me if you want the name of the company.

[Grin]

Looks good, man.

[Curly]

and I can turn ya on to the place where I cut all my firewood cheap.

Insert up and running.........Tell me Max, I need to get more firewood. Thanks.