A Blaze King Chinook 20 typically costs about $3,500-$4,500 for the stove alone, while a professionally installed setup often totals $5,000-$8,500. The final price depends on the exact Chinook 20 model, chimney condition, required venting, local labor rates, and whether an old stove must be removed.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinook 20 stove | $3,500 | $4,000 | $4,500 | Retail price varies by dealer, finish, and model year. |
| Basic installation | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,500 | Assumes usable chimney or a straightforward venting setup. |
| New insulated chimney | $1,500 | $2,800 | $4,500 | Installed price depends on height, route, and roof access. |
| Complete installed project | $5,000 | $6,800 | $8,500 | Stove, ordinary installation, and typical venting work. |
Assumptions: U.S. dealer pricing, standard installation conditions, and no major structural or code repairs.
What a Chinook 20 stove and installation usually cost
The stove-only price for a Blaze King Chinook 20 is generally about $3,500-$4,500 before sales tax. Dealer inventory, freight, finish selection, and whether the quote includes accessories can shift the retail figure. The Chinook 20 is a catalytic wood stove; its price reflects the stove and combustion system, not a complete installed heating project.
For a home with a sound, correctly sized chimney, buyers may spend around $4,500-$6,500 total for the stove and a relatively simple installation. A project requiring a new insulated chimney, wall or roof penetration, hearth work, or removal of an existing appliance can reach $6,500-$8,500 or more.
A practical planning budget is about $6,000-$7,000 for a typical dealer-supplied stove and professional installation. Confirm whether the quote includes delivery, connector pipe, chimney parts, permits, tax, and final inspection; those items are not always bundled.
Prices are not fixed nationwide. High-cost metro areas, remote delivery, and limited installer availability can raise labor or travel charges, while a usable chimney and clear access can keep the project closer to the low end.
Which stove, venting, and labor charges appear in the quote
A written estimate should separate the stove from the parts and work required to install it. The following ranges are common planning figures, not guaranteed dealer prices; a site inspection is needed to determine chimney compatibility and code requirements.
| Quote item | Low | Average | High | Typical pricing basis | What changes it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinook 20 stove | $3,500 | $4,000 | $4,500 | $3,500-$4,500 per unit | Dealer, finish, freight, and availability |
| Connector pipe and fittings | $250 | $500 | $900 | $25-$75 per ft, plus fittings | Pipe type, length, and elbows |
| Chimney liner or new chimney | $800 | $2,200 | $4,500 | $800-$4,500 per project | Chimney height, route, and condition |
| Installation labor | $600 | $1,200 | $2,200 | $75-$150 per hour | Crew size, access, and scope |
| Hearth, removal, and permits | $150 | $600 | $1,500 | $150-$1,500 combined | Floor protection, disposal, and local rules |
Some jobs include a factory-approved component or required accessories in the appliance package; others price those separately. Ask the dealer to identify the exact model and list each included component instead of relying on a single stove-and-install total.
Venting and labor can add roughly $1,500-$5,000 to the appliance price. That range is broad because a straightforward connection to a compliant chimney is a different job from building a new chimney through multiple floors.
How chimney height and hearth work change the installed price
Chimney condition is often the largest variable after the stove itself. A compatible, inspected masonry chimney may need only a stainless-steel liner or connector adjustments, while a deteriorated or incorrectly sized flue can require more extensive work. A new insulated chimney commonly costs about $1,500-$4,500 installed, depending on total height and the number of floors or roof sections it crosses.
Height matters in practical increments: a 12-15 ft chimney route may be relatively simple, while a 25-30 ft route typically needs more pipe, supports, and labor. Roof pitch, a difficult attic route, and limited exterior access can add several hundred dollars or more. Installers also need to verify the clearances and chimney configuration required by the stove’s current manual and local code.
Hearth and floor protection costs vary with the existing surface and required dimensions. A basic protective pad may cost about $150-$500, while a custom tile, stone, or masonry hearth can run $700-$2,000 or more including labor. Structural reinforcement, wall protection, or relocation of nearby combustible materials can push the project higher.
A stove that fits the room but not the existing chimney can turn a modest installation into a major project. Have the installer inspect and measure the flue before using an old chimney’s apparent condition as a basis for budgeting.
Does the Chinook 20 fit the home’s heating area and layout
Choosing the correct stove size can prevent paying for an appliance that is poorly matched to the home. The Chinook 20 is commonly positioned for small to medium heating areas, but actual output depends on insulation, climate, ceiling height, wood quality, and the layout between rooms. A dealer should assess the specific home rather than treating a square-foot rating as a guarantee.
In a well-insulated home with open circulation, the stove may heat a larger area than it can in a drafty home with closed rooms. A high-ceiling great room, a long hallway, or a home in a cold climate can make heat distribution harder. A fan or room-to-room circulation improvements may help, but they do not replace appropriate sizing.
Ask for the exact Chinook 20 version and confirm its current manufacturer specifications, including heating range, firebox details, and clearances. Model names and specifications can change, and a quote should not substitute a different Chinook model without clearly identifying it.
Correct sizing can protect both comfort and budget. A stove that is too large may need to be run at low output more often, while an undersized unit may not provide the expected heat during the coldest weather.
How local labor and installation access affect the estimate
Professional wood-stove installation labor often falls around $75-$150 per hour, though many contractors quote a fixed project price. A simple replacement may take a two-person crew about 4-8 hours; a new chimney route or hearth changes can extend the work to one or two days. These time ranges assume ordinary access and no concealed damage.
Urban and high-cost coastal markets may price labor and permits roughly 10%-25% above a national middle-market estimate. Rural quotes can be lower, but travel, delivery, and limited availability may offset the savings. Remote addresses can attract trip charges of about $100-$400, especially when a crew must return for inspection or additional work.
Access also affects cost. Narrow stairs, a long carry from the truck, a steep roof, or a need to protect finished floors may add labor. If the installation involves a multi-story chimney, a contractor may need additional crew members or specialized roof equipment.
Compare the job scope, not just the hourly rate. A higher fixed quote may include setup, cleanup, code-related work, and a defined inspection, while a low labor figure may exclude those services.
When chimney removal, delivery, and permits add separate charges
Removing an old stove commonly adds about $150-$500, with higher charges for a heavy appliance, difficult stairs, or disposal requirements. Chimney removal or masonry demolition is a separate and substantially larger scope. Before accepting a quote, check whether removal includes hauling the old unit away or only moving it to a convenient location.
Delivery may be included in a local dealer’s package or billed separately at roughly $75-$300. Long-distance freight or delivery to a remote location may cost more. Verify whether the stove will be carried indoors and positioned at the installation site, since curbside delivery is not the same service.
Permit and inspection charges vary by jurisdiction. A straightforward permit may cost around $50-$300, but a local authority can require additional documentation, inspection visits, or correction of noncompliant clearances. Some areas also require a licensed installer or specific documentation for a new wood-burning appliance.
Request a line item for every removal, delivery, permit, and inspection charge. Those costs are easy to overlook when comparing a dealer’s appliance price with an installer’s complete project quote.
What three Chinook 20 installation quotes might look like
These examples show how project scope can produce different totals. They are illustrative U.S. budgets, not quotes for a particular address, and assume a dealer-supplied stove priced between $3,500 and $4,500.
| Example | Scope | Labor and parts | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Existing chimney replacement | Sound flue, short connector, no hearth rebuild | $900-$1,500 labor; $300-$700 parts and setup | $4,700-$6,700 |
| New liner and minor hearth work | Existing masonry chimney needs liner; pad adjustment | $1,200-$2,000 labor; $1,000-$2,000 materials | $5,900-$8,500 |
| New exterior chimney | Insulated chimney, roof or wall penetration, removal | $1,800-$2,800 labor; $2,000-$4,000 chimney and related parts | $7,500-$11,500 |
For example, a $4,000 stove plus $1,200 in labor, $1,400 in liner and connector parts, and $350 in delivery and permit charges totals $6,950 before any applicable sales tax. A separate hearth renovation or structural correction would raise that figure.
The chimney route is the clearest reason two Chinook 20 quotes can differ by several thousand dollars. Compare the equipment list, labor scope, disposal, and permit assumptions line by line.
Which Chinook 20 options are worth pricing separately
Accessories can be useful, but they should not be confused with necessary installation work. Ask whether the quote includes the connector pipe, required chimney components, floor protection, and any model-specific parts. Optional hearth finishes or decorative upgrades can add several hundred dollars to more than $1,000, depending on material and size.
A blower or other heat-distribution accessory, if offered for the exact model, should be priced separately and checked against the current manufacturer specifications. An accessory price of roughly $150-$500 is a reasonable planning range for common stove add-ons, but availability and compatibility vary. Do not assume a part from a different Chinook model will fit.
Some households compare the Chinook 20 with a non-catalytic stove or a different size class. A less expensive appliance may reduce the initial bill by several hundred dollars, but operating habits, fuel use, burn duration, emissions requirements, and heating needs differ. Compare the complete installation price and the manufacturer’s warranty terms, not simply the shelf price.
Price optional upgrades only after required venting and clearances are confirmed. A lower-cost finish or simpler hearth may save money, but omitting a required chimney component or protective surface is not a safe cost reduction.
How to lower the Chinook 20 project total safely
Get at least two or three itemized estimates based on the same stove model and site conditions. Provide each installer with the same chimney measurements, access information, and photos where useful. Ask each contractor to state whether the quote includes the appliance, delivery, removal, connector, liner, permits, tax, and final inspection.
Keep the project scope stable while comparing prices. A quote for an existing chimney connection should not be compared directly with one that includes a new insulated chimney. If the old hearth meets applicable requirements, retaining it may avoid a custom rebuild; if it does not, the installer should explain the required change and its price.
Scheduling outside the busiest fall and early-winter rush may improve contractor availability. It does not guarantee a discount, but it can make it easier to arrange site visits and compare bids before cold weather. Confirm the dealer’s lead time and avoid paying for storage or repeated delivery attempts if the installation date is uncertain.
The strongest savings usually come from avoiding unnecessary scope, not cutting required safety work. Resolve the chimney and hearth questions early, choose only compatible accessories, and verify what the installer will correct if the inspection identifies a problem.