When Is the Best Time to Buy and Install a Woodburner?

If you're thinking about having a woodburner installed this winter, you may be wondering:

Have I left it too late?

It's one of those purchases that people often think about for months. You start looking at stoves online, save a few pictures, perhaps visit a showroom...

Then suddenly the evenings get darker, the temperature drops and you decide you'd quite like it installed now.

And you're definitely not alone.

When is the best time to buy a woodburner?

If we're talking purely about convenience, spring and summer are fantastic times to arrange a stove installation.

There's usually less urgency, you have plenty of time to consider different appliances and you're getting everything ready well before you actually need the heat.

But that doesn't mean autumn is too late.

September, October and November are traditionally some of the busiest months in the stove industry because that's when homeowners naturally start thinking about heating again.

The important thing is simply understanding that installation diaries can become busier as winter approaches.

Why does everyone suddenly want a stove in autumn?

It's remarkably predictable.

We can have a beautiful sunny September and woodburners aren't necessarily at the front of everyone's mind.

Then we get the first properly cold weekend.

Almost overnight, enquiries increase.

People light their existing fires, turn their central heating on and start thinking about the winter ahead.

That's why we'd always recommend beginning the process before you desperately want the stove.

Do I need to know which stove I want before contacting you?

Absolutely not.

In fact, we'd often rather you didn't become completely fixed on a particular appliance before we've discussed your property.

Choosing a stove isn't simply about finding one you like the look of.

We need to consider the size of the room, required heat output, fireplace dimensions, chimney or proposed flue route, distances to combustible materials and how you intend to use the appliance.

A stove that looks perfect online may not be the best choice for your particular installation.

That's where visiting a specialist showroom becomes useful.

Can I come and see the stoves first?

Yes – and we'd strongly recommend it.

We have a large selection of woodburning and multifuel stoves at our Dorset showroom from manufacturers including Charnwood, Clock, HWAM, WIKING, RAIS and Stûv, with selected models available to see burning live.

Seeing a stove in person can completely change your opinion.

You can compare the size of the firebox, see the quality of the finish, operate the controls and get a much better idea of how the stove will actually look in your home.

Sometimes customers arrive convinced they're buying one model and leave having chosen something completely different.

What if I want a stove quickly?

This is where stock becomes important.

Over the summer we've been deliberately building our stock of popular stove models so we're better prepared for the autumn and winter season.

That means there may be appliances available from stock without waiting for them to arrive from the manufacturer.

And remember: you don't have to use us for the installation to buy a stove from us.

If you already have your own HETAS installer, builder or appropriately qualified tradesperson, you're welcome to purchase a stove, flexible flue liner or flue components from Southwest Woodburners on a supply-only basis.

Likewise, if you'd prefer us to handle everything, we can discuss a complete supply and installation package.

How long does a woodburner installation take?

The installation itself can often be relatively straightforward, but no two properties are exactly alike.

An installation into an existing suitable fireplace and chimney is very different from creating a completely new fireplace or installing a twin-wall chimney system through a property.

There may also be building works, hearth preparation, scaffolding or other work required before the stove can be commissioned.

That's why photographs are incredibly useful when you first contact us.

Send us clear pictures of the fireplace, chimney breast, room and outside of the property and we can often get a surprisingly good understanding of what's likely to be involved.

Should I wait until next year?

If you don't particularly want a stove this winter, there's nothing wrong with waiting.

But if you've already decided you'd like one, delaying simply because you think you've “missed the window” isn't necessarily helpful.

The first step doesn't commit you to anything.

Come into the showroom, send us some photographs or have a conversation with us.

We'll tell you what is involved, what sort of stove would work and what our current availability looks like.

Thinking about a stove this autumn?

Don't wait for the first freezing weekend to start looking.

Whether you're planning a complete fireplace transformation, replacing an existing stove or simply want to purchase an appliance from stock, come and have a chat with us.

Because choosing a woodburner should be enjoyable.

And it's much nicer doing it before you're sitting at home in three jumpers wishing you'd started sooner.

Southwest Woodburners | Dorset Woodburning Stove Showroom & HETAS Installation Specialists