A DS ComfortMax 75 typically costs about $4,000-$6,500 for the furnace alone, while a complete installation can bring the total to roughly $6,000-$11,000. The final price depends on dealer location, chimney and ductwork needs, removal of existing equipment, and whether the job requires electrical or code upgrades.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ComfortMax 75 furnace | $4,000 | $5,250 | $6,500 | Equipment price varies by dealer and included accessories |
| Installation labor | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,500 | Existing connections reduce labor |
| Chimney and venting work | $300 | $1,200 | $3,000 | Higher when a compliant chimney must be added |
| Typical installed project | $6,000 | $8,500 | $11,000 | Assumes residential installation before unusual repairs |
What a DS ComfortMax 75 Typically Costs
The DS ComfortMax 75 is a solid-fuel furnace designed to burn wood and coal. A reasonable U.S. planning range is $4,000-$6,500 for the appliance before installation, with a commonly encountered equipment budget around $5,250. Dealer inventory, freight, local taxes, and the items bundled with the unit can move an advertised price substantially.
For a straightforward replacement using serviceable ductwork and an existing code-compliant chimney, a buyer may spend approximately $6,000-$8,000 installed. A new installation involving chimney construction, duct transitions, electrical work, or removal of old equipment can reach $9,000-$11,000 or more. These are planning estimates, not a manufacturer-set national price.
Budget around $8,500 for a typical installed project, then adjust for chimney condition and connection work.
Capacity and home suitability matter as much as the sticker price. The model’s “75” designation refers to its nominal output class; it does not mean every 75,000-BTU application is appropriate. Heat loss, insulation, climate, duct design, and the intended role—primary heat or supplemental heat—all affect whether the unit can serve the house effectively.
Assumptions: U.S. residential pricing, standard installation access, ordinary materials, and no major structural or code repairs.
How Furnace, Chimney, and Labor Charges Add Up
A written estimate should separate the furnace from the work needed to connect and safely operate it. Installation scope can differ sharply between a swap in an existing furnace room and a new solid-fuel system, so comparing only the equipment price can conceal several thousand dollars of additional expense.
| Quote component | Low | Typical | High | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Furnace and standard controls | $4,000 | $5,250 | $6,500 | Dealer pricing and included controls |
| Labor and setup | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,500 | Access, duct transitions, and crew hours |
| Chimney, connector, and vent parts | $300 | $1,200 | $3,000 | Reuse versus new insulated chimney |
| Electrical and duct materials | $150 | $500 | $1,200 | Controls, wiring, plenum, and return-air work |
| Removal, delivery, and disposal | $100 | $450 | $1,000 | Distance, old-unit weight, and haul-away terms |
| Permit or inspection | $0 | $150 | $500 | Local requirements and inspection fees |
Labor commonly falls around $75-$125 per worker-hour, though a contractor may quote a fixed project rate instead. A basic installation might take a two-person crew 8-12 hours; extensive venting or duct changes can require 16-24 hours or more.
Ask whether the quote includes delivery, chimney connector, startup, permits, and disposal before comparing totals.
Fuel storage and handling equipment may be separate. Depending on the site and chosen setup, a hearth or noncombustible floor protection, ash containers, coal or wood storage, and additional fire-safety work can add $100-$1,000. A quote should identify these as included items or owner-provided items rather than leaving the buyer to discover them after delivery.
Which Home and Chimney Specs Shift the Quote?
The largest cost difference is often whether the home already has a suitable venting route. A serviceable chimney and correctly sized connector may keep vent-related work near $300-$800. A new insulated chimney, roof penetration, bracing, and flashing can push that portion to $1,500-$3,000 or higher, especially where the route is tall, difficult to access, or must clear nearby rooflines.
Ductwork also changes the scope. A furnace replacing an existing forced-air unit may connect to a compatible plenum with limited modification. A system being added beside another heat source may need a separate supply path, return-air adjustments, dampers, or controls. Basic transitions can cost a few hundred dollars; major additions or repairs can exceed $1,500.
Before accepting the equipment price, verify that the chimney, clearances, and duct design fit the actual house.
Home size alone is not enough to select capacity. A well-insulated 2,000-square-foot home in a milder region may have very different heat demand from a drafty 2,000-square-foot home in a colder climate. A contractor should consider heat loss and the furnace’s installation instructions rather than sizing from square footage alone. An undersized or poorly integrated system can leave rooms cold; oversizing can increase purchase cost without solving distribution problems.
Fuel choice can affect operating convenience and ongoing expense, but should not be treated as a single guaranteed savings figure. Wood moisture, coal type, local fuel availability, storage space, and how often the household tends the fire all matter. If the furnace will be supplemental, the estimate should state how it operates alongside the existing heating system and what controls are included.
Can Existing Ductwork or a Chimney Cut the Price?
Reuse can lower the initial estimate, but only when the existing components are sound, appropriately sized, and allowed under local rules and the furnace instructions. A chimney that looks intact from the outside may still require inspection, relining, or repair. Similarly, ducts that served a different appliance may need changes to meet airflow and clearance requirements.
Ask the installer to identify which existing items will be reused and how they were assessed. A quote that assumes the chimney is acceptable should say whether inspection is included. If additional work is discovered, request a written change order that describes the repair, cost, and effect on the completion date.
Reuse saves money only when it avoids replacement without compromising safe, code-compliant operation.
Removing an old furnace is another possible cost reduction when the homeowner is legally and practically able to arrange disposal, but it may not be worth separating from the installation. A contractor’s $100-$500 removal charge can cover labor, hauling, and disposal. Heavy equipment, narrow stairways, or hazardous materials can increase the fee. Confirm whether the existing appliance contains components requiring special handling.
Permit rules differ by municipality and may apply to solid-fuel appliances, chimney work, electrical connections, or inspections. Fees can range from no charge to several hundred dollars, and code updates may add more. Check local requirements before scheduling; skipping a required permit can create problems with inspections, insurance, or a future home sale.
Three ComfortMax 75 Quotes for Different Installations
These examples show how scope can change the bill. They are illustrative budgets, not live dealer offers, and exclude unusually extensive structural work. Regional labor rates, freight, tax, and equipment availability can alter each total.
| Installation scenario | Equipment | Labor and materials | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replacement with usable chimney and ducts | $4,500-$5,500 | $1,400-$2,300 | $5,900-$7,800 |
| New setup with 20-25 ft insulated chimney | $4,800-$6,000 | $2,500-$4,000 | $7,300-$10,000 |
| Complex install with duct changes and removal | $5,000-$6,500 | $3,000-$5,000 | $8,000-$11,500 |
In the replacement example, a two-person crew might work 8-12 hours and charge about $1,200-$1,800 for labor, with another $200-$500 for connectors and minor duct materials. It assumes a suitable vent already exists and does not need substantial repair. The total rises if the installer has to rebuild the plenum or correct clearance issues.
The chimney and duct scope, rather than a small difference in furnace price, often separates a $7,000 quote from a $10,000 quote.
For the new-chimney example, a 20-25-foot insulated system can account for approximately $1,500-$3,000, with labor and roof work adding to the balance. The complex example allows for 16-24 crew-hours, equipment removal, and meaningful duct adjustment. Buyers should compare the same assumptions across bids, including chimney height, included parts, inspection, startup, and warranty handling.
How Regional Labor Rates Change the Furnace Estimate
Dealer and installer pricing varies with freight distance, local labor supply, permit practices, and seasonal demand. As a planning comparison, a rural area near a stocking dealer may come in 5%-15% below a typical metropolitan quote when access is easy and labor is readily available. A large city or remote location can run 10%-25% above a national midpoint because of higher labor charges, travel, delivery, or limited installer availability.
Cold-weather markets may have more experienced solid-fuel installers, but they can also have longer booking queues before winter. In regions where coal or wood furnaces are less common, a buyer may face higher travel charges or fewer competing bids. These percentages are broad estimating adjustments, not reliable price guarantees for a specific ZIP code.
Local labor, freight, and installer availability can move the installed total more than the equipment’s advertised price.
Request at least two or three itemized quotes from contractors familiar with solid-fuel furnaces. Confirm that each bid covers the same equipment configuration and installation scope. A low quote may omit chimney work or delivery; a higher quote may include a permit, haul-away, startup, and warranty coordination. Compare the written inclusions rather than assuming that similarly named estimates cover the same work.
Tax is another location-dependent item. Sales tax may apply to the appliance, materials, or both, depending on state and local rules. Ask the dealer whether the written total includes tax and freight. If it does not, keep a separate allowance—often several hundred dollars—until the final invoice is clear.
How Long Installation Takes and What Delays It
A straightforward replacement may take one working day, or roughly 8-12 hours for a small crew. A new installation with chimney assembly, roof work, duct changes, or electrical additions can take one to three days. These are on-site estimates; ordering, delivery, permit review, and scheduling are separate and can stretch the calendar by days or weeks.
Delays commonly arise when a chimney is damaged, the delivered unit cannot pass through the planned access route, the existing ductwork needs redesign, or an inspection is required before operation. Weather can interrupt roof work. Before delivery, ask the installer to verify the route to the furnace room, floor protection, clearances, and the location of the vent exit.
Confirm the site and parts list before delivery to reduce extra labor and rescheduling charges.
Some companies charge a diagnostic or site-visit fee, often $75-$200, which may be credited toward the project if the customer proceeds. A remote or rush appointment can have a separate travel or priority charge. Ask whether the estimate is fixed after inspection, how long it remains valid, and what conditions could trigger added fees.
Season affects availability more than it guarantees a lower price. Scheduling work in spring or summer may make it easier to book an installer and allow time for permit or chimney work. In autumn, demand can tighten schedules, and urgent installation may carry a premium. A buyer should compare the actual quote and completion date rather than assuming an off-season discount.
Which Quote Choices Lower the ComfortMax 75 Price?
Keep the project scope tied to the heating need. If the furnace is meant to supplement an existing system, avoid paying for unnecessary changes to unrelated equipment. If it is intended as the primary heat source, do not cut costs by skipping a heat-loss assessment, required venting, or safety work. A cheap installation that cannot distribute heat properly can create additional repair expense.
Choose standard, compatible components where they meet the installation requirements, and ask the dealer to price optional controls or accessories separately. Compare a repair of the current system with replacement only when the existing appliance is safe, serviceable, and likely to meet household needs. The purchase price alone does not establish which option is less expensive over time.
Control the scope, not the safety requirements: verify inclusions and remove optional upgrades before approving the quote.
Homeowners can reduce billable preparation time by clearing a safe path to the installation area, moving stored items, and identifying the existing electrical shutoff and duct connections. They should not remove required fire protection, alter chimney components, or perform work that needs a licensed trade. Confirm in writing which preparation tasks are acceptable and which remain part of the contractor’s responsibility.
For quote comparison, use a checklist: exact furnace model, freight, taxes, chimney type and height, connector parts, duct transitions, electrical work, permits, inspection, old-unit disposal, startup, and warranty terms. Ask for labor hours or a fixed labor allowance, and request unit prices for likely extras. This makes a lower base bid easier to assess without confusing excluded work with genuine savings.
Also ask what warranty applies to the appliance and what the installer covers for workmanship. Warranty terms can have requirements for installation, operation, or maintenance, and a dealer’s service charge may be separate from manufacturer coverage. Keep the invoice, model and serial information, inspection records, and instructions together for future service.