How much does log burner installation cost?

There are many benefits to having a log burner in your home. But it's important that you choose the one right for you and have it installed correctly and safely. Read our log burner installation cost guide for the full lowdown.

Log burners are an environmentally friendly way to heat your home, and they look great too. But how much does log burner installation cost?

Here, we'll break down the typical costs you can expect, as well as answer all your burning questions about wood burning stoves.

How much does a log burner cost?

The average cost for the log burner itself is around £950.

However, the cost of your wood burning stove can vary a lot based on the size and style you choose.

You can pick up a smaller model for under £500. Meanwhile, larger, more contemporary designs could cost you in the region of £1,500.

Take a look at our log burner ideas to help choose the right log burner for you.

How much does it cost to install a log burner?

The average cost to install a log burner is £2,000.

However, this cost can vary hugely based on the scale and complexity of the project. In particular, your costs can climb if:

• You need to form a new fireplace and hearth

• Your chimney needs to be lined

• You don't currently have a chimney

How much does fireplace installation cost?

A fireplace is a brilliant surround for any stove or fire and is heat and burn-proof for safety.

Meanwhile, your stove will need to be placed on a non-combustible hearth with at least 150mm of hearth at the side and 300mm in front.

Even if you currently have a fireplace and hearth, they may not be big enough to accommodate your wood burning stove while also allowing enough room around the stove itself.

If your wood burner installation involves forming a new fireplace and hearth, you're looking at an additional two to three days of work. This can add around £500 - £2,000 to your original log burner installation cost.

How much does a chimney flue installation cost?

When installing a new stove, you'll often need to replace an old chimney flue.

On average, you're looking at around £1,150 to install a new flue in an existing chimney. On the other hand, you may not currently have a chimney at all, especially if you live in a new build.

In this case, you'll usually need to install an external twin-wall flue. This could cost you an extra £2,550.

Factors affecting the cost of log burner installation

We've already touched upon some of the main factors that can affect the cost of installing a wood burner. But here's the full lowdown to help you understand exactly what you're dealing with.

Type of wood burner

There are a few different types of wood burners to choose from. The main ones are:

• Wood burning only

• Multi-fuel

• Range cookers

Stoves that are wood burning only can only burn wood or logs that have an appropriate moisture content. On the other hand, multi-fuel wood burners can burn both wood and other fuels, like peat or smokeless coal. These types tend to cost a similar amount.

Alternatively, you can expect to pay more for a range cooker, as they're designed for both heating and cooking. They can be either wood burning or multi-fuel.

Size/wattage of the stove

The bigger the room where you're installing your log burner, the bigger your stove will need to be. And, as you can imagine, larger stoves cost more.

If you have a small room, you may only need a 4 – 6kw stove.

But if your room is much larger, you may need a 10 – 15kw stove. These have a significant price difference.

Stove design

Stoves come in all shapes, sizes and materials.

The most common materials used are iron and stone. Meanwhile, you can purchase stoves with different designs which will increase the visual beauty of the burner, as well as its cost.

Choosing the right stove for your needs will depend on your taste, the style of your home and, of course, your budget.

Chimney or flue

You'll need a chimney or flue to channel the emissions from your wood burner.

As we've already covered, your costs will vary hugely depending on whether you can use an existing flue or chimney.

If you don't have a chimney, you'll need to invest in an external twin wall flue system, which will add around £2,550to your wood burner installation cost.

Hearth

You'll need a hearth to protect your floor. If you can use an existing hearth, you'll be able to reduce your costs.

On the other hand, if you need to install a new hearth, your costs will vary depending on what material you choose. Some common materials include:

• Slate

• Glass

• Tiles

• Stone

Hearth costs can range from around £50 - £400 for just the materials.

Fireplace surround

A fireplace surround can add a lovely finishing touch to your log burner, and give it that sense of grandeur it deserves.

The cost of installing a fireplace surround will vary depending on the design and material you choose. Surrounds can range from intricate Victorian pieces to modern and contemporary designs. Popular materials include:

• Marble

• Timber

• Limestone

• Sandstone

Costs start at around £700 for a simple timber surround but can climb to more than £3,000 for marble.

Beam

Many homeowners choose to install a beam above their wood burner. Not only does it make a visually appealing feature, but it can also make a great shelf for styling.

In this way, a beam can be a cost-effective alternative to a fireplace surround.

You can expect to pay anywhere from £700 for the beam itself.

Chamber linings

If you decide to board the inside of your fireplace chamber, you'll need to budget for chamber linings.

An average vermiculite chamber lining board will usually cost around £50, although you'll need three of these.

At the higher end of the price scale, you could pay more than £50 for non-combustible fireproof lined boards with a brick or slate effect.

Additional log burner features

Do you want a log burner that has additional features?

For instance, some log burners can swivel while others are designed to be double-sided.

These features can add to your stove's visual appeal and practicality. But they will come at an extra cost.

Additional wood burner installation costs

As well as your log burner installation cost, there are some other prices you'll need to budget for. Here are the main ones.

Stove fan

Stove fans are a great way to boost your log burner's performance. They're typically placed on top of the stove. Then, once it reaches a certain temperature, they work to push warm air around the room.

Stove fans typically cost around £40 and are widely available.

Maintenance

Your log burner should have an annual check, sweep and service by a registered tradesperson to keep it working efficiently and make sure it's safe.

Allow £100 for this.

Repairs

Your log burner should last for 10 – 20 years. However, like anything, it may need to be repaired from time to time.

One of the most common issues is the stove rope cracking or breaking. The average in-store stove rope repair cost is £40.

How much to install a log burner alternative?

There are several alternatives to log burners - each with its own pros, cons and costs. Here are the main wood burner alternatives.

How much does it cost to install a pellet stove?

Pellet stoves use compressed pellets of wood or biomass and electricity to heat a room. They're a great alternative that can be even more efficient than a log burner.

The average cost to install a pellet stove is £2,000.

How much does it cost to install a gas stove?

Gas stoves produce less pollution than wood burners. They use gas to provide instant heat and are easier to maintain.

The average cost to install a gas stove is £1,500 , while the average cost of the stove itself is £750.

How much does it cost to install an electric stove?

Electric stoves run on electricity but have the look and feel of an open fireplace. You can choose from both portable and wall-mounted options.

The average cost of an electric fireplace is £1,050, plus £700 for installation.

How much does it cost to install an open fireplace?

A beautiful feature in any room, open fires are great for use during power outages and offer appealing scents. However, they're not as efficient as log burners.

The average cost to build a fireplace and install an entire chimney system is £2,750. However, you could pay a lot less to open up an existing fireplace.

Is it worth installing a log burner?

Log burners are a fantastic option if you're after an efficient, environmentally-friendly way of keeping your home warm that looks great too.

Here are the main benefits of wood burner installation.

Save on central heating

Wood burning stoves can provide ‘spot’ heating in particular rooms to reduce the burden on your central heating system.

This can help you to save money on your energy bills - especially around early autumn and late spring when evening chills might otherwise cause you to turn on your whole heating system.

Clean to use

Compared to open fires, wood burning stoves are easy to live with. They don’t spit coal or wood onto the carpet or emit fumes into the room itself.

As well as this, they don’t have an open chimney. An open chimney can be problematic as it can be a major source of air leakage and there is the potential problem of soot build-up that you will need to deal with.

Environmentally friendly

One big benefit of log burners is that they use kiln-dried logs for fuel. This is a better environmental choice than many other options, as wood is a renewable energy source.

Although burning wood does emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, it emits much less than burning coal. Plus, wood burners are more efficient than open fires.

Are wood burners eco friendly?

Log burners provide warmth and create a cosy atmosphere many people find comforting. However, with society's increasing concerns about the environment and air pollution, the question of whether log burners are actually eco-friendly and good for our health is a pressing one.

Learn more

Create a great focus for a room

Nothing says ‘cosy’ quite like the warm glow of a wood burning stove. There’s also something incredibly pleasing about the simple process of collecting wood and building a fire, and the resulting warmth it provides.

There are so many styles out there to choose from. So, you can make a real statement in your home with either a traditional or contemporary design.

Easy to control

The ability to control the air intake of wood burning stoves gives you a level of control that you don’t get with an open fire.

Longevity

Wood burners can be expected to last for 10 to 20 years with little maintenance.

All you need to remember is to book an annual check, sweep and service by a registered tradesperson.

Add value to your house

Log burners are sought-after by many homeowners.

So, it makes sense that adding a log burner to your home could increase your property's value and saleability. It's generally thought that adding a log burner to your home could increase its value by up to 5%.

Can I install a wood burner myself?

You can legally install your own wood burning stove. However, unless you have dedicated training and experience, we would advise against it.

Stoves made from metal or stone are very heavy and can cause injury from lifting or dropping. Plus, if you don't install your wood burner correctly, the risks could be huge. Just think of the damage that smoke and fire could do to you, your family and your property!

Aside from this, you'll need to ensure that any stove installation complies with building regulations.

A professional will take on any risk and use their wealth of knowledge to make sure the installation and future use of the stove is safe and compliant.

Who should install my log burner?

We would always recommend hiring a registered competent installer to fit your log burner. This will give you peace of mind that the person you're hiring has the necessary skills, experience and training to complete the job to a high standard.

The competent person schemes for fitting log burners are:

• APHC

• BESCA

• Certsure

• HETAS

• NAPIT

• OFTEC

• Stroma

Use our free search feature to find a competent and registered wood burner installer near you on Checkatrade.

Key takeaways for wood burner installation

• Wood burners are beautiful centrepieces that can also provide efficient, eco-friendly heating

• The average log burner cost is around £3,000for supply and installation

• There are lots of factors affecting the cost of installing a wood burner, including the stove's wattage and whether you have an existing chimney

• It can be risky to install a wood burner yourself

To find an experienced and reliable log burner installer near you, enter your postcode into the box below.

FAQs

How much does it cost to fit a log burner UK?

The average cost to get a log burner fitted in the UK is £2,000. You'll also need to factor in the cost of the log burner itself, which will typically be around £950.

Can I replace my gas fire with a log burner?

Yes! Replacing an existing gas fire with a new log burner is relatively straightforward – it just needs a bit of planning.

Firstly, if your gas fire is flueless (no chimney), then you will need to plan for the addition of a flue.

If there is a fireplace and an existing flue then you’ll need to check that the flue is big and well-constructed enough to allow the stove to work correctly.

Always make sure that your gas fire is removed safely. You'll need a Gas Safe registered engineer to carry out this work.

What flue does my wood burning stove need?

All wood burning stoves need a 6” flue, except DEFRA-approved stoves (usually labelled ‘DEFRA’). Due to their reduced particulate output, these only need a 5” flue.

Can I have a stove if my home doesn’t have a chimney?

Yes! If your home doesn't have a chimney, you can still have a stove. In this case, you'll need a specially designed prefabricated twin wall flue.

This type of flue is effectively a series of stainless steel tubes that will connect your stove to an external vent.

The flue can be exposed internally within the void of the ceiling space. Alternatively, you can move it to the outside wall behind the back of the stove – which is the more common choice.

Do you need a full chimney for a log burner?

No. You don't need a full chimney for a log burner. You don't need a chimney at all, as you can instead use a special twin wall flue to connect your stove to an external vent.

Even if you have a chimney, it won't usually be lined if your house was built before the middle of the 20th century. In this case, you'll usually need to install a 6” flue liner to go with your wood burning stove.

These are effectively just long flexible tubes, which are there to reduce leakage, improve draw and provide a sealed system.

Do log burners heat the whole house?

That depends on lots of different factors, like the size of your house, the size of your log burner and where in your home it's located.

That said, if you want your log burner to heat your whole house, you can take certain steps to help distribute the heat to other rooms.

These include:

• Using a fan to circulate heat

• Installing vents in the ceiling of the room where your stove is located so heat reaches the bedrooms above

• Installing ducting from your wood burner to other parts of your home

Get the help of a professional log burner installer to make sure you purchase a stove with a high efficiency rating that will be able to heat the square footage of your home.

Do you need permission to install a log burner?

If you hire a HETAS registered installer, you won't normally need planning permission to install a log burner - as long as you stick to these rules:

• The external flue is situated to the rear or side of your property

• The external flue isn't more than one metre taller than the highest part of your roof

• The flue isn't fitted onto a side elevation that faces a highway

If you live in a listed building or a unique area, you'll need to check that you have permitted development rights.

You'll also need to check with your local council before carrying out the work, just to make sure that there aren't any local regulations stopping you from installing a log burner.

Other than that, you'll usually be able to crack on without getting planning permission.

On the other hand, if you're hoping to install your log burner yourself, you probably will need planning permission or approval from your local Building Control.

What are the building regulations for log burners?

The building regulations for log burners are extensive. Just a few areas that they touch on include:

• The hearth

• Ventilation in the room

• Requirement for a carbon monoxide alarm

If you live in a smoke-free zone (mainly urban areas), you'll also have to buy a DEFRA-approved stove to comply with building regulations.

Luckily, a specialist offering log burner installation near you will have an in-depth knowledge of building regulations and will be able to ensure your new log burner complies.

Enter your postcode into the box below to browse the best approved tradespeople near you.