A Vermont Castings Encore wood stove typically costs about $4,000-$5,500 for the stove alone, while a professionally installed project often totals $6,000-$10,000. The final price depends on the Encore model and finish, chimney and hearth requirements, local labor rates, and whether an existing stove must be removed.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Encore stove | $4,000 | $4,700 | $5,500 | Price varies by model, finish, and dealer. |
| Professional installation | $1,500 | $2,700 | $4,500 | Assumes a straightforward existing chimney or suitable liner. |
| Stove and installation | $5,500 | $7,400 | $10,000 | Higher totals may include a new liner, hearth work, or removal. |
| Chimney liner | $900 | $1,600 | $2,800 | Typical installed range; height and access affect price. |
What a Vermont Castings Encore costs before installation
For budgeting, allow roughly $4,000-$5,500 for the Encore appliance before tax, delivery, and installation. Dealer pricing can differ by region, availability, finish, and included accessories. A displayed base price may not include a blower, trim, hearth materials, or connection parts.
The Encore is a cast-iron wood stove offered in configurations that can differ in combustion system and appearance. Those differences affect the quote, so buyers should compare the exact model number and included equipment rather than relying on the Encore name alone. Ask whether the price is for the stove only or a package.
A reasonable planning figure is about $4,700 for the stove itself and around $7,400 for a typical stove-plus-installation project. These are budgeting estimates, not fixed manufacturer or dealer prices.
Assumptions: U.S. dealer purchase, standard finish, average regional pricing, and a home with normal access. Sales tax and unusual chimney work are not included in the stove-only estimate.
How stove, liner, labor, and hearth charges form the quote
A complete estimate separates the appliance from installation work and site-specific materials. A quote that appears inexpensive may exclude the chimney liner, connector pipe, permits, or removal of the old unit. Request an itemized proposal with the exact stove configuration and a description of the chimney connection.
| Quote component | Materials | Labor | Equipment | Delivery or disposal | Typical total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Encore appliance | $4,000-$5,500 | Not included | Included stove | $100-$350 delivery | $4,100-$5,850 |
| Chimney liner and connector | $500-$1,600 | $400-$1,200 | $0-$250 | Usually included | $900-$2,800 |
| Stove placement and hookup | $100-$600 | $500-$1,500 | $0-$200 | $0-$300 | $600-$2,600 |
| Hearth or floor protection | $150-$1,000 | $100-$700 | Usually included | $0-$150 | $250-$1,850 |
| Old stove removal | $0-$100 | $150-$500 | $0-$100 | $100-$400 | $250-$1,100 |
Ranges overlap because contractors package work differently. For example, a basic replacement using a compliant existing hearth and chimney can avoid substantial liner and carpentry charges. A new installation may require additional materials and inspection coordination.
Compare the installed total and included work, not just the appliance line. Assumptions: Typical residential access and U.S. contractor rates; chimney repair, structural work, and major masonry are excluded.
How chimney height, hearth size, and model options change price
Chimney condition is often the biggest variable after the stove. A sound, correctly sized flue may need only a connector and inspection, while an oversized or damaged masonry flue can require a stainless-steel liner. A liner installation commonly adds $900-$2,800, with taller chimneys, roof access, offsets, and difficult attic access pushing the quote upward.
Hearth requirements also affect the project. If the existing noncombustible floor protection does not meet the stove manual’s dimensions and clearance rules, a new hearth pad or built-up hearth may cost $250-$1,850 installed. Wall protection, trim, or moving the stove farther from combustible surfaces can add labor and materials.
Model configuration and accessories can shift the appliance quote by several hundred dollars. Confirm whether the offered Encore includes the selected finish, catalytic components where applicable, and any optional blower. A blower or other accessory may add approximately $250-$600, depending on the exact product and dealer pricing.
Room layout matters as well. A short, accessible chimney run is generally less expensive than a tall roofline or an installation requiring scaffolding. If the stove must serve a larger area or connect to a different flue location, the installer may need additional pipe, hearth changes, or a revised placement.
Each extra 5 feet of liner or a noncompliant hearth can move the estimate meaningfully, so verify dimensions before accepting a quote. The stove’s installation manual and local code determine clearances and floor protection; an installer should confirm them on site.
Which Encore installation costs can homeowners control?
Keep the scope close to the existing stove location when the chimney and hearth are suitable. Moving an appliance can require a new flue route, longer connector pipe, floor repairs, or additional clearances. Before requesting an estimate, provide photos and measurements of the existing hearth, chimney, and access route to help installers identify likely work.
Compare the same configuration across at least three local dealers or certified installers. Ask each for a separate appliance price, liner specification, labor charge, permit allowance, delivery fee, and removal fee. A low estimate may simply omit required work, so have each contractor identify what is excluded and whether a site inspection could change the price.
Choose accessories based on actual use rather than adding them automatically. If the stove’s location and home layout do not call for a blower, confirm whether it is optional before paying for one. Likewise, retain a compliant hearth when possible instead of replacing it for appearance alone.
Keeping the stove in place and comparing equivalent written quotes are the most reliable ways to avoid unnecessary expense. Do not reduce costs by skipping required clearances, a liner specified by the installer, permits, or safety inspection.
How long installation takes and what labor usually covers
A straightforward replacement commonly takes a two-person crew about 4-8 hours, with labor and basic hookup charges often totaling $600-$1,500. A new liner, difficult roof access, hearth construction, or removal of a heavy old stove can extend the work to a full day or longer. Complex masonry or chimney repairs may require a separate visit and quote.
For estimates that separate labor by time, a common planning range is $75-$150 per worker-hour, though many contractors quote a fixed project price instead. A fixed quote should specify crew size, expected work, and charges for unforeseen conditions.
Installation labor may include positioning the stove, connecting the flue, installing a liner, protecting work areas, and checking operation. It does not necessarily include permit fees, chimney sweeping, structural repairs, or haul-away. Ask whether the installer will arrange inspection and provide documentation of completed work.
For a simple replacement, labor is usually a smaller share of the bill than the appliance, but chimney changes can make labor a major cost. Access conditions and local contractor availability affect both scheduling and rates.
Why Vermont and other regions have different Encore prices
Dealer inventory, transport distance, contractor availability, and local building requirements create regional differences. In high-cost metropolitan areas and parts of the Northeast, an installed project may run about 10%-25% above a national-style baseline. Lower-cost rural markets may come in roughly 5%-15% below it, although travel charges can erase some savings for remote properties.
Vermont buyers may find local dealers familiar with wood-heating installations, but the stove price is still subject to inventory and dealer terms. A rural address can increase delivery or labor costs if the installer travels a long distance. In dense urban areas, parking, stair access, and limited roof access may add handling or setup charges.
Regional differences apply to labor and accessories as well as the appliance. Local tax rates, permit procedures, and chimney inspection requirements can change the final invoice. Compare quotes from nearby providers using the same stove model and scope rather than treating a price from another state as a direct benchmark.
Use the $6,000-$10,000 installed range as a starting point, then adjust it for local labor and chimney conditions. Ask the dealer to state whether delivery, tax, and permit-related charges are included.
When a new liner, removal, or permit adds to the bill
Old-stove removal is often priced separately at about $250-$1,100, including handling and disposal. Heavy appliances, narrow stairs, or a long carry from the home can raise the charge. Some dealers credit removal when a new stove is purchased, but that should be confirmed in writing.
Chimney sweeping or an inspection may cost about $150-$400, depending on the service and local market. If the inspection finds damaged masonry, a blocked flue, or a liner that is unsuitable for the new appliance, repairs are additional. A contractor should identify these conditions before final installation whenever possible.
Permit and inspection fees commonly fall around $50-$300, but rules vary by town and project. Some localities require an inspection for a new stove or chimney connection; others may apply different requirements to a replacement. Installation labor can also include the contractor’s time to coordinate with local officials.
Get a written allowance for removal, inspection, liner work, and permits so the quoted total does not hide likely extras. A contingency of about 10%-15% can help cover unexpected, documented site conditions without treating every upgrade as mandatory.
Encore versus a basic wood stove or repairing an older unit
The Encore’s cast-iron construction and model features put it above many basic steel wood stoves in purchase price. A simpler stove may cost roughly $1,500-$3,500 before installation, while a comparable installed project can land around $3,500-$7,000 when the chimney is ready. The lower appliance price does not automatically mean lower total cost if the alternative needs different connector parts or hearth work.
Repairing an existing stove can cost less when the body and chimney remain sound. Common component repairs may run about $200-$900, while more extensive work or a substantial catalytic-system repair can reach $500-$1,500 or more, depending on parts and labor. Availability of the correct parts and the stove’s condition matter; an inspection can clarify whether repair is practical.
Replacement is more compelling when the stove has damaged cast iron, recurring operating problems, or a chimney setup that already needs major work. Buyers should compare the repair estimate with the full replacement total, including removal, liner, hearth updates, and inspection. Fuel use and expected years of service may also affect the value comparison.
A basic stove may save $1,000-$2,500 on the appliance, while a sound existing Encore may be cheaper to repair than replace. Confirm that any replacement model is compatible with the home’s installation conditions and local requirements.
Three Encore project budgets for common home setups
A direct replacement in a home with a compliant hearth and usable chimney is typically the least expensive scenario. A sample budget could include a $4,500 Encore, $650 for hookup labor, $350 for connector materials, and $300 for delivery and inspection, for a total near $5,800 before tax. This assumes no liner replacement or major removal work.
A typical masonry-chimney installation might include a $4,700 stove, a $1,400 liner, $950 in labor, $450 in delivery and connector materials, and $250 in permits or inspection. The estimated total is about $7,750 before tax. A taller flue or old stove removal could increase that amount.
A more involved project with a new liner, hearth modifications, and disposal could include a $5,300 stove, $2,300 for liner and connector materials, $1,500 in installation labor, $1,100 for hearth work, $650 for removal and delivery, and $200 in permit costs. That produces a sample total of about $11,050 before tax.
These examples show why an Encore purchase can range from roughly $5,800 to more than $11,000 once installation scope is included. They are illustrative U.S. budgets, not guaranteed dealer bids; the final quote depends on the home, exact model, local rules, and site inspection.