First, was there a gas stove line in the house previously or were there electric ovens?

Second, if there was a gas stove line already in the house, what were the "connections?" It would seem that one pays AC for the conversion in the cost of the range.

Previously posters had imported Lacanches directly from England and then had to make the adjustments.

I would think it's excessive if there was an existing gas connect and if nothing special was done. Alternately, positioning a heavy range might merit some upcharge but not that much.

In our renovation one of the first things we decided and never wavered on was that we wanted gas instead of electric.

Should we infer from this that the original estimate included plumbing the gas lines to the stove location? Was that called out on the original estimate?

My latest internet "find" is a blog by a kitchen designer called Kitchen Sync. She addresses high-end appliance installations in this post. Was the "plumb and connect the custom-model European stove" their version of tricksy?

Here is a link that might be useful: Kitchen Sync: High-end is tricksy

Angie,

Yes, that is correct. It was always specified that we would have to put in gas lines. So the cost, to be legitimate, essentially had to represent the additional work to put in a LaCanche versus, say an "American" gas range.

Rococo - putting in a gas line was already in the estimate, this was over and above, because it was a "European stove".

Nanj,
i will take a look

Hi Nanj,

I imagine they have not installed a ton of LaCanche. But these plumbers had been the plumber used by the prior owners for 20+ years on a lot of high end and unusual stuff. Although we ripped a lot of stuff out (the previous owners seemed to need a bar and ice maker within arms reach in all areas of the home, for example : ), we still wanted to use them for continuity on an oft-remodelled rambling old home.

Our job was full of "tricksy", as the article terms it ... vintage sinks, vintage faucets (1870s), and elements from other countries. But the stove is custom made for sale in the US ... and my understanding is that ranges are low tech. I don't know how many they see, but my repair guy, 20 minutes away, seems very familiar with LaCanche in this area (he repairs all high end appliances).

Thanks everyone for your help. I will let you know if I find out that, indeed, installing a LaCanche Citeaux should cost $1100 above and beyond installing an American range.

I had a European range -- Italian -- installed in our apartment with a NYC contractor and there was no upcharge.

If they had to bring in a special piece of equipment or extra manpower to seat the range (which I expect is quite heavy) or if it was a street delivery and they had to transport it up a long driveway and into the house etc. then I could see a charge. Otherwise $1000+ feels like a zip code charge.

yes, they needed extra manpower .... my husband!

the charge is very specifically for plumbing

thanks, rococo

It didn't cost us any extra to have our Volnay installed. We did pay to have someone help the contractor move it from the curbside delivery into the house, but that was all. We are in Philadellphia.

What do your contracts say? Were they time and materials, or fixed price? If fixed price, was there a change order you signed in advance? If not, why should you pay this?

At absolute minimum ask for an extremely detailed description of the work involved--not "more hours." Detailed enough where you can check with another plumber or installer to find out if these steps really were unique to your range.

It was always specified that we would have to put in gas lines. So the cost, to be legitimate, essentially had to represent the additional work to put in a LaCanche versus, say an "American" gas range."

This is exactly the question to put to your contractor. "I'll need an itemized run-down of the charges that were necessary in excess of the initial gas stove installation charge of $XX."

The answers that you've received are correct. Or you could go with my DH's assessment (I ran this question by him as he was present during the process of getting our large, but U.S.-made, gas range installed. And I quote:

She's getting hosed.

You are very right to have your antenna up on this one. Installation of my Aga dual fuel range was included in my original estimate -- which included charges for installation of electrical and plumbing lines for the range. But, the GC did not then charge me extra for putting a British range in its place. Methinks I'm in agreement with everyone else, most especially KD's DH!

It does sound like the sight of that French beauty triggered flashing $$$ signs in whatever part of the brain processes profit.

We ended up going DIY on the gas line installation (propane, no natural gas lines in our neighborhood). All the estimates from local plumbers were around $2000, for the line only. Pffft. Husband studied the code online, took a few tests, got a permit from the city, installed the lines and got them inspected. Altogether cost us a few hundred dollars.

Our range was made in Italy. There was no difference in the final installation (the connection from the pipe in the wall to the back of the range) to a US-made stove, for otherwise I'd remember DH cussing up a storm.

It's a little flexible yellow pipe, purchased at Lowe's for, I think, $30. No special equipment needed.

In fairness, it is a 60" wide range with three ovens. But as far as the plumber is concerned, one oven has a gas line and the 4 burners and a hob do. So my inclination is this $1100 upcharge over and above the allowance is high.

I emailed LaCanche, we will see what they can add.

Oh Martha, my antennae are so tired!

Thanks again, everyone. It's really helpful to have GW's collective wisdom.

It might be possible that the higher-BTU LaCanche has a higher requirement for gas flow. If you're in an area with extremely low gas pressure, perhaps they needed to up-size to a larger pipe to provide the amount of flow necessary to meet the BTU specs?

I'm extrapolating here a bit from my experience with glass-melting furnaces which are probably in a different ballpark from your range. Your GC should be able to justify that figure with some details about additional materials and labor that was required.

Just in case a prospective LaCanche customer googles this, you should know that LaCanche says installation of the Citeaux should not cost anything extra.

My guess is that the GC forgot to put the addition of a gas line in his specs to the plumber when he quoted the whole house, and is now trying to rename the expense in a vague way and hope I don't notice. I am not the "don't notice" type.

When you say, "The addition of a gas line,"" exactly what do you mean? From the road? From the tank regulator? Was there trenching involved? Etc.

FYI - kitchendetetive, since you asked.

The plumbing quote category lists some specifics and then says:

"all other plumbing for all baths and space as noted in plan including kitchen"

There was gas all over the place LOL.

For our back up generator (thank you, PO), our pool Dectron, and for the very odd indoor-ish gas grill that the prior owners had in a sort of a large hall area outside of the dining room and only steps from the kitchen but on the way out to the patio. (don't ask, very odd)

Okay, so it appears there was no surprise half mile of trenching and materials that sprung up in the middle of installing the stove. Presumably, the contractor knew that the kitchen would have a range. So we're talking about a short line and additional hook-up. $1100 still sounds ridiculous to me. Actually, any additional charge sounds questionable, but, I suppose arguable, depending upon what specific appliances were "noted elsewhere." If no specific appliances were mentioned in that "elsewhere" section, then I definitely think there should be no up charge at all. The vague wording on the contractor's part should not be your problem.

mntrredrux, our Cluny1400 wasn't any different estimate for it and a 48" Wolf duel fuel.

We did as lanval though, DH did the gas propane run himself. Our Cluny is not hooked up as of yet, but the difference in Range connections shouldn't be any more.

They just saw that LaCanche name and felt intimidated. LOL

You getting yours hooked up?

Oh yes, it was hooked up months ago! This is a billing dispute after the fact.

I am redoing my Kitchen and have decided on a la canche chagny 1400. I am really excited, but I have one problem. Color. I am deciding whether I should keep it black, or British Racing Green, or stainless steel. My cabinets are off white or like a cream on the perimeter and tobacco on the island and refrigerator. Any suggestions? I need to order soon!

I chose black. I don't think it's a stove you want to replace, so I would not choose a color-color unless you have loved that color forever and are certain. I did not want stainless, since that seems possibly trendy. I chose black. With the nickel and brass trim its pretty bling-y