Wood stove installation costs $1,500 to $4,000 for most homeowners, with dataset averages from $2,509 to $5,500 depending on how much chimney work the job includes.1,4,5 The stove itself runs $400 to $5,000 by type. Prices below are national averages* for 2026.
*National averages, not local quotes. Your price depends on the stove type and size, whether a usable chimney exists, hearth and wall protection, permits, and local labor rates.
$1,500 – $4,000
most homeowners (Angi)
$5,500
average installed (HomeGuide)
$400 – $3,000
non-catalytic stove unit (Angi)
45% – 55%
labor share (HomeGuide)
What sources say
| Source | Figure | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Angi | $3,000 average; most spend $1,500 – $4,000 | Cost guide, installation |
| HomeAdvisor | $2,509 average; $940 – $4,218 | Cost guide; same company as Angi, different figures |
| Forbes Home | $3,250 average; $1,500 – $5,000 installed | Cost guide |
| HomeGuide | $5,500 average; $3,000 – $8,000 | Includes common chimney work |
| Bob Vila | $325 – $4,000 | Attributes its figures to Angi and HomeAdvisor |
HomeGuide averages highest because its figure bundles typical chimney work into the installation, while the Angi and HomeAdvisor averages describe the stove job itself. Bob Vila attributes its figures to Angi and HomeAdvisor, so it is not an independent fifth measurement.1,3,4,5
Stove prices by type (Angi)
| Stove type | Unit price |
|---|---|
| Non-catalytic | $400 – $3,000 |
| Catalytic | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Hybrid | $2,000 – $4,500 |
By material, cast iron stoves run $350 to $5,000 and steel stoves $700 to $3,200.1 By heating capacity, Angi puts small stoves (400 to 950 square feet) at about $900, medium at $1,600, large at $2,400, and extra-large models at $2,800 and up.1 Catalytic converters add cleaner, more efficient burning; Forbes puts the upgrade at about $500.2
Installation scenarios (HomeGuide)
| Scenario | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| Replacement of an existing stove | $3,000 – $5,000 |
| Installation into existing masonry chimney | $4,000 – $8,000 |
| New installation, no existing chimney | $5,500 – $9,000+ |
| Basement installation with new chimney | $6,500 – $10,000+ |
The chimney is the swing factor. A new 15-foot chimney build runs $900 to $3,000, a chimney liner $1,500 to $4,000 installed (Bob Vila quotes a wider $625 to $7,000), and a full rebuild $3,100 to $14,500 if the existing structure fails inspection.3,5 Double-wall chimney pipe, required for venting, costs about $25 per linear foot.2
Labor and other costs
| Item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Labor | $500 – $3,000 (Angi); 45% to 55% of project (HomeGuide); $250 – $800 (Bob Vila) | three sources |
| Permits | $50 – $250 (Angi, Bob Vila); $100 – $500 (HomeGuide) | three sources |
| Hearth pad / floor protection | $300 – $1,200 | HomeGuide |
| Wall heat shields | $200 – $1,000+ | HomeGuide |
| Annual chimney inspection | $100 – $250 | HomeGuide |
The labor ranges disagree because they measure different scopes: Bob Vila describes straightforward installs, while Angi and HomeGuide include ventilation and wall-protection work. Ask each installer exactly what the labor line includes.1,3,4
Ongoing costs
A cord of firewood costs $120 to $900 depending on wood type and region, and a primary-heat home burns at least two cords per winter.1,5 HomeGuide puts typical use at two to seven cords per winter.4 Annual chimney inspections are the other standing cost.4
DIY or hire
This is a hire-a-pro job: installation involves fire clearances, venting through the roof, permits, and code compliance, and HomeGuide notes installations almost always require permits.4 What you can shop for yourself is the stove: the Home Depot wood stoves category shows current unit pricing to compare against the type table above.
Related guides
Fireplace Repair Cost
Pellet Stove Installation Cost
Fireplace Installation Cost
Chimney Sweep Cost
Chimney Repair Cost
All cost guides
Sources
1. Angi — Wood-Burning Stove Installation Cost
2. Forbes Home — Wood Stove Installation Cost
3. Bob Vila — Wood Stove Installation Cost
4. HomeGuide — Wood Stove Installation Cost
5. HomeAdvisor — Cost to Install a Fireplace or Woodstove