"Focus Stoves" and "All TIme Grates"

Leif

Anyone one used either of these companies (Four Marks and Wickham areas) to install a stove? Any problems, or happy happy?

I'm getting quotes to install a stove, and supply and fit hearth, and finish the builder's opening. There does seem to be a big difference in the rough estimate for the installation alone.

scfnet

We used focus stoves in 2010 and the service was second to none.

We went to the showroom several times and were taken through all the options after explained what we wanted and were left with several suggestions. No question or demo (subject to a flue being connected to the stove!) was an issue.

They came out to do a survey to make sure there recommendations were suitable to what we actually had rather than what we thought we had in terms of an existing flue etc. This is chargeable but is taken of the final bill if you choose to go with them.

The install went fairly smoothly apart from a couple of bits missing which were just missed of the palette for us, this was remedied in a couple of hours. The install took two days, the first was a bricky who closed of and plastered the existing opening (we were going for a room standing modern stove) and made a new opening into the flue, then he fitted the hearth we had supplied. The second day the flue was lined and the stove fitted. The room was left clean even though we had stripped back the carpets etc, the bricky used a big extract fan to move any dust outside and not let it get around the house.

After it was fitted we needed to allow 24 hours for fire cement and paint to go off so they couldn't demonstrate it, but they left a bag of logs and kindling and detailed instructions so we could light it a few days later.

In the end we had a few issues getting it going but that was our fault. The offer a free instruction lesson and came back to show us what we were doing wrong and we haven't had a problem since.

I think it helps that all the staff have wood burners themselves so they really know the product and how to get the best out of them.

No connection, just a very satisfied customer

Alastair

Leif

Thanks, for some reason I missed your reply.

In the end I went with All Time Grates, and they did a nice job. The chap from Focus did come round to do a survey, but I felt very uncomfortable in his presence and I really didn't care for his manner given that he was in my home. I recall asking about installation of a hearth and his manner was "Oh, you want us to supply a hearth?", as if I was imposing on him. He also gave me some BS about a local plasterer making good the edges of the opening for 'beer money' (his words) and then invited the plasterer around without my permission. I did not believe him as no trade works for 'beer money', and when the plasterer came round he quoted over £200. I don't like being fed BS. I paid them £35 IIRC for the survey, and I live 100m from the shop, so they weren't exactly making a big loss on the survey. They might do a good job, but I couldn't employ people who make me feel ill at ease and BS me. Perhaps my house was not up to their standards.

I felt far more comfortable with ATG, and their quote was £600 less, and included making good the edges of the opening. I also visited the shop several times beforehand, asking questions while I decided what to do with the fireplace,and the staff were very helpful and remarkably tolerant given how indecisive I was. I believe that they do not outsource, and only use their own staff, which will keep costs down.

Incidentally scfnet, I do not for one minute doubt your experience, glad it worked out well for you and thanks for the feedback.

Furry_Elephant

I am also considering using All Time Grates to build an internal chimney breast and install a wood burning stove. Are you still happy with their work?

flyingtoga

Any update from Furry Elephant?

We have just received a quote from ATG and it seems very reasonable - not too cheap and not too expensive.

Although we already have a chimney, we are allowing a flexible liner to be installed as I think this will have future benefits on maintenance, etc. Our chimney doesn't need to have a liner.

The ATG quote does not seem to include insulation for the liner which I understand to be of consideration, particularly to external wall chimneys. I am waiting back on the question from ATG.

So far, pre-install, a good impression

We have been to other showrooms and they didnt get our interest on how we were dealt with in the showroom - staff didnt appear interested in us - place in Lee on Solent, Hants

suisidevw

What stove are you looking at FT?

flyingtoga

Riva Studio 1 - 5KW

suisidevw

Looks really nice, let us know the price they charge broken down for more feedback?

flyingtoga

£1300 for stove itself and about 4k for the installation...still a few discussion points to sort out that are likely to affect the final cost.

suisidevw

What does the £4k include? That sounds an incredibly high price!

Presumably you're spending £5k+ for the asthetics rather than saving money etc?

flyingtoga

No, sorry, my last was a bit misleading.

4k including the stove...