Like-for-Like Log Burner Replacement — UK 2026 Cost Guide
£1,000–£2,200 total. The cheapest UK install scenario. Existing flue, existing hearth, existing chimney — you’re just swapping the stove. New HETAS certificate required regardless.
The short answer
UK 2026 typical: £1,000–£2,200 total installed. The stove itself dominates the cost. Labour for the swap alone is £400–£800. New HETAS Certificate of Compliance is required (the old one covered the previous appliance specifically).
Get your replacement estimate
Pick 'Like-for-like replacement' on step 5 of the calculator. The scenario multiplier reflects the reuse of existing flue and hearth.
Open the calculatorWhat’s included in the cost
- Disconnect old stove and dispose (£100–£200 for non-hazardous disposal)
- Pre-swap chimney sweep (£60–£90)
- Smoke test existing flue liner for leak detection and serviceability check
- Fit new stove to existing flue, register plate, and hearth (£300–£500 labour)
- Recommission: smoke test, draught test, spillage test, CO alarm verification (£50–£100)
- New HETAS Certificate of Compliance
Can you reuse the existing flue liner?
About 60% of UK chimneys with an existing liner can have it reused — but only after these checks pass:
- Smoke test: pellets dropped down the flue should produce smoke only at the termination, not through any cracks or joints
- Visual / CCTV inspection: inner liner wall intact, free of pitting, with no separation at joints
- Diameter sized for new stove: most UK stoves need 5” or 6” flues; the existing liner must match
- Grade matches new fuel: a 316 liner previously fitted for wood-only use shouldn’t be repurposed for a multifuel stove that will also burn coal
See our chimney lining guide for the full liner replacement cost (£800–£1,800 if needed).
What can derail a like-for-like swap
- Failed liner inspection: discovering a deteriorated liner adds £800–£1,200 for a re-liner. Most common cause of cost overrun in swap scenarios
- New stove requires different flue diameter: going from 5” to 6” (or vice versa) requires adapter plates and potentially a new register plate section. £150–£400
- Hearth no longer meets current Part J: the new stove’s certified base temperature might require a thicker constructional hearth than the existing superimposed hearth provides. Replacement hearth: £150–£600
- Current Ecodesign requirements: product requirements apply to stoves placed on the UK market from 1 January 2022. If you are considering an older second-hand model, ask for evidence that it was lawfully placed on the market before the cutoff and confirm suitability with your installer
Reddit-reported UK swap costs
r/DIYUK consensus for a straightforward 2024–25 UK swap with no liner issues: £1,200–£1,500 including stove, flue lining check, new cowl, register plate refresh, and registration. That breaks down roughly as £800–£1,000 for the new stove + £400–£500 for labour and minor parts.
HETAS certificate
A new HETAS Certificate of Compliance is required regardless of what was previously installed. The previous certificate covered the old appliance specifically. A HETAS-registered installer can issue the new certificate as part of the swap — typically delivered within 2 weeks of installation.
See our HETAS certificate guide for the full details.
Recommended swap stoves
Most UK owners replacing an old stove choose a mid-market 5kW wood-burner. The most-installed swap targets:
- Hunter Herald 5 Eco (£1,099) — UK’s cheapest mid-market. Herald 5 review →
- Stovax Stockton 5 (£995 street) — UK’s most-installed. Stockton 5 review →
- Charnwood Country 4 BLU (£994) — under-5kW threshold. Country 4 review →
- Morsø 1412 Squirrel (£1,000–£1,200) — compact Danish. 1412 review →
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Find an installerFrequently asked questions
How much does a like-for-like stove replacement cost?
UK 2026 estimates run around £1,000–£2,200, with the stove itself driving most of the cost. In England and Wales, eligible replacement work can be notified through HETAS and receive a new certificate. Scotland and Northern Ireland require evidence under their separate approval systems.
Can I reuse the existing flue liner?
Sometimes — but only after a smoke test passes and the liner is sized correctly for the new appliance. Check on inspection: liner grade matches new fuel type (316 for wood, 904 for multifuel), diameter matches new stove (5” or 6”), and no pitting or separation at joints.
Do I need a new hearth?
Not always. The installer must assess the existing hearth against the new appliance and the rules for the property’s nation: the applicable Part J document in England or Wales, the Scottish Technical Handbook, or Northern Irish Technical Booklet L.
Do I need a new HETAS certificate?
For eligible work in England or Wales notified by a HETAS registrant, the replacement installation receives its own certificate. Scotland and Northern Ireland do not use HETAS Competent Person Scheme notification, so obtain the completion evidence required by the applicable local process.
Can I do a like-for-like swap with a non-HETAS installer?
In England or Wales, HETAS is not the only legal route: eligible work can instead go through Local Authority Building Control, with local fees and inspection requirements. Scotland and Northern Ireland use their own approval systems. A like-for-like description does not remove the need to check the applicable route.