A new Vermont Castings Encore wood stove typically costs about $4,000-$5,500 before installation, with the final price shaped by the model configuration, chimney work, and local labor. A complete installed project often lands around $6,000-$12,000 when the home needs a hearth and chimney upgrades.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Encore stove | $4,000 | $4,750 | $5,500 | Stove only; dealer and finish affect price |
| Basic installation | $1,000 | $2,500 | $4,000 | Assumes suitable chimney and hearth |
| Installed project | $5,500 | $8,500 | $12,000 | Higher end includes substantial venting or site work |
Assumptions: U.S. dealer pricing, standard residential installation, and no major structural repairs.
What an Encore stove and installed setup usually cost
The Encore is a substantial, freestanding cast-iron wood stove. For budgeting, allow $4,000-$5,500 for the appliance alone; trim, finish, catalytic configuration, dealer inventory, and included accessories can shift the quote. Confirm the exact model and what is included rather than comparing prices by model name only.
With delivery and a straightforward connection to a code-compliant existing chimney, total spending may be roughly $5,500-$8,000. A new liner, hearth protection, or other chimney changes can raise a full project to $8,000-$12,000 or more. These are planning ranges, not a fixed national price.
How cast iron, venting, and labor appear on the quote
Installation quotes separate the stove from work needed to make the venting and surrounding floor safe. Chimney condition is often the largest unknown after the appliance price. The table shows typical planning allowances; a site inspection can change them.
| Quote item | Typical range | Pricing basis | What changes it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Encore stove | $4,000-$5,500 | Per unit | Finish, version, dealer stock |
| Installation labor | $800-$2,000 | Per project | Access and connection complexity |
| Chimney liner or vent parts | $700-$2,500 | Per run or system | Height, diameter, and condition |
| Hearth pad or floor protection | $300-$1,500 | Per installation | Required size and material |
| Delivery and removal | $100-$600 | Per visit | Distance, stairs, old-stove disposal |
Some dealers combine labor, vent components, and delivery into one installed price. Ask whether the quote includes a chimney inspection, permit fees, final testing, and disposal so that the total can be compared fairly.
Which chimney dimensions and room conditions raise the price?
Chimney height, flue diameter, and condition can matter more than the room’s size. A liner that needs to run 20-30 feet may cost more than a shorter, accessible run, particularly if it must pass through bends or a tall roof. A damaged masonry chimney can require repairs before the stove is connected.
Hearth clearances and the stove’s listed installation requirements also affect scope. If the current hearth does not extend far enough or protect the floor adequately, added materials and labor may be needed. Get the installer to verify clearances and flue specifications against the exact Encore model before ordering parts.
Access is another cost driver: carrying a heavy cast-iron stove up stairs or through a tight passage can add handling time. A quote that assumes ground-floor access may not apply if the installation location is difficult to reach.
How many installer hours does an Encore hookup take?
A direct replacement with a usable chimney may take a two-person crew about 4-8 hours, including moving the stove, connecting the vent, and checking the installation. A new liner or hearth work can extend the job to a full day or longer. Local labor rates commonly fall around $75-$150 per worker-hour, though many companies quote a project price.
For a simple two-person, six-hour job, labor at $75-$150 per worker-hour works out to roughly $900-$1,800. This is a calculation, not a separate guaranteed charge; minimum service fees, travel, and bundled pricing can change the invoice.
How Vermont and other regions shift the installed price
Labor availability and the condition of local housing affect estimates. In higher-cost Northeast and West Coast markets, installation labor can run roughly 10%-25% above a national planning midpoint. Rural areas may have lower hourly rates but higher travel or delivery charges, while dense cities can add access and parking costs.
Cold-weather regions may also have more demand before heating season. Quotes obtained during peak fall scheduling can be higher or harder to book than spring or summer appointments. Compare local installed quotes using the same chimney and hearth scope, not the stove price alone.
Which delivery, liner, and hearth charges are easy to miss?
Delivery, old-stove removal, and chimney inspection may appear as separate charges or be excluded from an advertised stove price. Budget about $100-$600 for delivery and removal combined, depending on distance and handling. A chimney inspection may cost around $100-$300 when billed separately, but some installers credit it toward the job.
A stainless-steel liner, connector pipe, wall protection, and hearth extension can each add cost when required. Permits and inspections vary by town; allow roughly $50-$300 as a planning range, then verify local requirements. Ask for an itemized quote that identifies required safety work separately from optional upgrades.
Three Encore project quotes with different chimney scopes
These examples illustrate how the same stove can produce different totals. They assume a new Encore around $4,750; actual dealer pricing and local code requirements vary.
| Scenario | Scope | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|
| Existing compliant chimney | Stove $4,750; six crew hours; connection and delivery | $5,800-$7,000 |
| New liner required | Stove $4,750; 20-foot liner; one-day crew and inspection | $7,000-$9,500 |
| Hearth and chimney work | Stove $4,750; liner, hearth upgrade, removal, and added labor | $9,000-$12,500 |
Assumptions: Standard access and no major masonry reconstruction; permit charges may be additional.
Where to trim an Encore installation budget safely
Have the existing chimney inspected before buying the stove. If it is sound and correctly sized, keeping it may avoid a new liner or masonry work. Compare at least three written quotes with the same model, venting scope, hearth requirements, and disposal details.
Choose a standard finish if a premium color carries a substantial surcharge, and avoid accessories that are not needed for safe installation. Scheduling outside the fall rush may improve contractor availability. Do not reduce cost by skipping required clearances, listed hearth protection, chimney repairs, or inspection steps.