Find a HETAS-Registered Log Burner Installer Near You
Get 3 free quotes from vetted HETAS-registered installers in your postcode area. No payment, no spam, no data shared without your permission.
Why HETAS registration matters
HETAS (Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme) is the UK's only Competent Person Scheme specialising in solid fuel installations. A HETAS-registered installer can self-certify the install under Building Regulations Part J — which means:
- No separate £200–£400 Local Authority Building Control fee
- No several-week wait for a Building Control inspection
- You get a Certificate of Compliance — required by home insurers and conveyancers
- HETAS notifies your local authority on your behalf, every Tuesday
How to verify a HETAS installer
- Ask for their 4-digit HETAS Company ID — this should appear on every quote
- Verify the ID on hetas.co.uk via "Find Installer" or "Check Business"
- Ask to see their HETAS Registered Operative card (renamed from the previous Installer card in November 2025)
- Confirm they carry a minimum of £2 million public liability insurance — HETAS requires this for registration
What a good installer quote looks like
From the patterns that recur in r/DIYUK and Facebook log burner groups:
Green flags
- Itemised: stove, liner, hearth, register plate, CO alarm, scaffolding, labour, certification
- Pre-install chimney CCTV survey before quoting
- Confirms Smoke Control Area status
- HETAS Company ID on the document
- Reasonable deposit (10–30%), not full upfront
- Mentions which Ecodesign / clearSkies model
Red flags
- Quote excludes the liner (#1 post-install complaint)
- "Disappeared after deposit" — well-documented pattern
- Implies HETAS without naming a registration number
- Suspiciously cheap day rate (£100–£150)
- Reluctant to commit to a certificate timeline
UK installer day rates (2026)
HETAS-registered installer day rates vary 30–50% across the UK. The cost element of your install reflects this.
- London / South East: £300–£500/day
- Rest of England: £130–£250/day
- Scotland / Wales / Northern Ireland: £130–£200/day
Most installers prefer fixed quotes per complete job rather than day rates. Typical fixed-quote ranges for labour alone: £500–£1,500 (existing chimney) or £1,000–£2,500 (twin-wall flue).
Peak season vs off-peak — when to book
UK stove demand is sharply seasonal. Book in spring or summer for an autumn install — best of both worlds:
- Peak (Sept–Dec): 60–70% of annual bookings. Lead times 8–12 weeks for established installers. Premium pricing.
- Off-peak (Apr–Aug): 2–4 week lead times. Better availability. Some installers offer discounts to fill capacity.
Lost your HETAS certificate?
HETAS retains every notification on a central database. To retrieve a copy:
- Visit hetas.co.uk/consumer/certificates-of-compliance/
- Search by postcode or reference number
- Pay £34.80 (inc. VAT) and the certificate arrives by email within 30 minutes
If no record exists, the installer may never have notified HETAS. In that case, apply to Local Authority Building Control for a regularisation certificate (typically £200–£400 — may require remedial work to bring the install up to current Part J standards).
Installing without HETAS — the consequences
- Home insurance: insurers can void claims for fire- or CO-related incidents without a Certificate of Compliance
- Property sale:conveyancers won't give a clean title report; mortgage lenders may withhold funds
- Indemnity insurance (a few hundred pounds, one-off) is a partial workaround for past installs but increasingly rejected by lenders
- Retrospective certification:a HETAS-registered installer cannot self-certify work they didn't personally carry out — that's a foundational rule of the Competent Person Scheme
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to use a HETAS-registered installer?
Not legally — but it's the easier route. A HETAS-registered installer can self-certify the install under the Competent Person Scheme, avoiding the £200–£400 Local Authority Building Control fee and inspection delays. A non-HETAS installer is legal but you have to submit a Building Notice yourself.
How do I know an installer is really HETAS-registered?
Ask for their 4-digit HETAS Company ID and verify it on hetas.co.uk via the "Find Installer" or "Check Business" tools. They should also carry a HETAS Registered Operative card (renamed from the previous Installer card in November 2025).
What does a HETAS certificate cost?
At point of installation: nothing extra — the Certificate of Compliance is bundled into the installer's quote, with HETAS notification absorbed as part of their registration overhead. A replacement copy (if lost) costs £34.80 inc. VAT via hetas.co.uk.
Can I get a HETAS certificate retrospectively?
Not directly. A HETAS-registered installer cannot issue a Certificate of Compliance for an installation they didn't personally carry out — it's a foundational rule of the Competent Person Scheme. The alternative is Local Authority Building Control regularisation (£200–£400), which may require remedial work to meet current Part J standards.
What if my installer goes out of business before issuing the certificate?
HETAS retains the notification on their central database. You can search for the certificate at hetas.co.uk/consumer/certificates-of-compliance/ by postcode. If the installer never notified HETAS, you'll need to apply to Local Authority Building Control for a regularisation certificate.
How long does a HETAS installation take?
Most existing-chimney installs are completed in one day. Twin-wall flue installs take 1–2 days for single-storey and 2–3 days for two-storey. The HETAS certificate is posted within 2 weeks of notification.
What if I'm selling my house without a HETAS certificate?
Buyers' solicitors typically request it during conveyancing. Without it, mortgage lenders may withhold funds or buyers may request a price reduction. Indemnity insurance (£100s, one-off) is a partial workaround but increasingly rejected by lenders.