A wood insert sized, lined and installed in Thornton Park

A factory-built fireplace needs the full liner

In a factory-built fireplace, the Pacific guide requires a full stainless liner meeting the Type HT requirements, securely attached at the insert collar and at the top of the chimney. A short connection into the metal chimney is not an option in that setting.

The liner runs inside the existing factory-built chimney pipe, so its size has to pass through that pipe and through any offsets along the way. We check the pipe diameter and the route before quoting, and we tell you if the fireplace cannot take a liner of the size the insert needs.

A surround against uneven stone or brick

A surround panel is flat, while a fieldstone or rough brick face is not. Gaps behind the panel can let room air into the fireplace cavity, which matters where the manual asks for a sealed surround.

Where the face is irregular, our crew seals the gaps with the material the manual permits so the panel sits tight without forcing it. You see the finished edge before we pack up, and it should look as though the insert was built for that fireplace.

A quick check on whether a split is dry

A simple test from the Pacific guide tells dry wood from wet. Place a piece on a good bed of coals. It is dry if it catches on more than one side within about a minute, damp if it blackens and takes up to three minutes to light, and wet if it sizzles and hisses.

A moisture meter gives a firmer answer, and EPA recommends one. Either way, the point is to find wet wood before it goes in the insert, where it smolders, darkens the glass and wastes heat that should be warming the room.

How an insert estimate should read

A clear insert estimate separates the unit, the liner and its connector, the top plate and cap, the surround, any hearth extension, any fireplace repairs, any electrical work by an electrician and the removal of old parts.

Every line carries upfront pricing with no hidden fees, so you can see where the money goes and compare our proposal fairly with anyone else's. Book within 72 hours after the inspection and 10% off is applied right on the estimate.

• Insert model and surround size
• Liner type, size and length
• Top plate, rain cap and any cap change
• Hearth or floor protection work
• Repairs found at the inspection
• Removal and haul-away of old parts