Marsh’s installed 3 fireplaces in our 100 year old, 1½ story house.
The 2 existing coal fireplaces are too small and shallow to use for wood fires. This was confirmed when our home insurance provider told us not to use them and to seal them up.
The basement was recently converted from storage space to living space and perfectly suited for a wood fireplace.
Main goal: Functional, heat producing fireplaces.
Secondary goal: aesthetic; must blend into space.
We approached our local neighbourhood fireplace shop and our furnace installer who also sells fireplaces. Both were disappointing. They didn’t listen to what we wanted and therefore they couldn’t offer creative ideas of their own or, they simply handed out brochures and price quotations.
We found some other fireplace shops but they had the same lazy response, as if their work is just a hobby or as though they had better things to do.
We almost gave up on the fireplace project to start concentrating on a different part of our home renovation when I cold-called Marsh’s Stoves and Fireplaces. Robert took the call and within a minute of talking to him, I knew I was finally talking to an intelligent human being who was probably interested to help. That brief phone call motivated me to visit Marsh’s later that day to check them out. I met with Robert who amazed me. I described our home and our wants the same way as I did to the “lazy” staff at the other fireplace shops. He understood immediately what I was talking about and proceeded to describe all the possibilities and challenges ahead of us. He then gave me an education on almost every wood and gas fireplaces in the shop. Within 20 minutes, I realized that our original plan was narrow and that we had to open up our minds to the wide range of fireplaces and options.
Robert arranged for Alan, the owner, to do a Site Inspection particularly for the wood fireplace in the basement as he is WETT certified. Upon entering the space, Alan immediately saw that our original idea of installing a traditional “hearth-style” built-in fireplace in the basement would not have fit in to the architectural style we were creating. He said he will install it if we insist but he made good arguments for why we shouldn’t. The choice of a modern, efficient woodstove with less heat output than we had originally planned, took a lot of family discussion, but was the most logical decision for that space and for the whole home, as was the choice of gas fireplaces for the 2 upstairs fireplaces. Having always had a prejudice against gas fireplaces, I wouldn’t have imagined that there would be 1, let alone 2, gas fireplaces in my home.
After using them for several weeks now, I can sincerely say that they are the smartest choice for filling up those old coal fireplaces, and none of the charm of having a fire is lost; they can really crank out the heat. They actually add value through their multi-function, programmable remote controls and if your electricity goes out, they still work! One of them was available in a choice of either polished cast iron front or black front. Either would match the space and we liked both and couldn’t choose. Alan showed how classy he is by sending over both fronts so we could live with both of them in the space for as long as we needed until we could choose. Is that customer service or what?! The wood stove is both charming and “old-school”, and a modern sleek and efficient heat producer all at the same time. We had it going for days and the furnace never came on.
Having watched the installations, I saw that each fireplace had to be custom installed for each space. This custom work is precise and high end. Some parts had to be specially fabricated at the shop and communication between the shop and the installers is excellent: real teamwork. Speaking of teamwork, the installers are the best. Hardworking, calm, good listeners, good humoured, and able to solve the problems of dealing with an old quirky house with creative solutions.
The only bad part came when I called our home insurance providers to inform them that the new fireplaces have been installed. No issues for the gas fireplaces but they added a 15% surcharge on the policy for the wood stove. This is something I am going to have to work out with them just before policy renewal time.
Everyone at Marsh’s: those in the shop, the ownership, the installers, are all true professionals who are tuned in to the customer. As I told Alan: I wish I could send some of our renovation contractors and trades people to him to take some lessons on customer relations. He and his team made sure the job went smoothly and the education we received meant we got the right sized fireplaces that match the architectural style of the space they are in.
On straight price comparison, Marsh’s prices were all lower. If we were to have stubbornly gone with our original plan, the equipment cost alone would have been about double and the installation would have required much more labour thus making it almost cost prohibitive. Add that to their extensive knowledge and customer service, it equals great value.
When you shop for your fireplace, do what we did: 1. research what you want, 2. Go to your local fireplace shop and HVAC dealers who sell fireplaces and prepare to be disappointed, 3. Go to Marsh’s and have fun.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $15,000.00