Plenty of Canadian homes, rural properties especially, but plenty of city homes too, have a wood stove, a wood-burning fireplace insert, or a wood furnace. WETT (Wood Energy Technology Transfer) is the national training standard for these appliances, and a WETT-certified technician assesses clearances, installation, and chimney condition against code before issuing certification.
$200 to $500 WETT certification visit; installation fixes varyAddress before purchaseHeatingInterior
The quick answer
A wood stove or fireplace insert usually needs a current WETT inspection before an insurer will bind coverage, and an uncertified install can hold up your closing. Look for a certification report, proper clearances to combustibles, and an intact liner. Costs: $200 to $500 WETT certification visit; installation fixes vary. Make a WETT certificate a condition of your offer, and don't assume a previous owner's paperwork is still valid.
You are reading the wood stoves & WETT certification page. Type the year the house was built and I will tell you what else tends to be true at that age, what it costs, and what to ask. One number, ten seconds.
Free. No account. Educational and impartial, not a home inspection.
Why it matters
Most Canadian home insurers will not bind or renew a policy on a home with a wood-burning appliance without current WETT certification confirming it's installed safely, no certification can mean a declined policy, or a denied claim if there's ever a fire. This is a real fire and carbon-monoxide safety question, not a paperwork formality.
How to spot it
A wood stove, insert, or free-standing wood furnace visible in listing photos; a second chimney or flue that isn't serving the furnace; ask the seller for the current WETT certificate and its date, certifications are typically only valid for a set period and need periodic renewal.
What it costs
A basic WETT Level 1 (visual) certification visit runs roughly $200 to $300; a more thorough Level 2 or 3 assessment, looking at hidden chimney or attic areas, or requiring some disassembly, can run $500+. If clearances or the installation itself don't meet code, remediation cost depends entirely on what has to move or be rebuilt.
What to do
Confirm with your insurance broker, before removing conditions, whether the appliance needs a fresh WETT certification to bind coverage, and budget for it if the seller doesn't have a current one. Don't assume an old certificate, or "it's been there for years," satisfies a new insurer.
Education and triage, not a home inspection. Casaroo flags a wood-burning appliance from your photos; a WETT-certified technician confirms the installation meets code and issues or renews certification. We flag; we don't inspect.
Common questions
Will my insurer require WETT certification?
Most Canadian home insurers will not bind or renew a policy on a home with a wood-burning appliance without current WETT certification. No certification can mean a declined policy, or a denied claim if there is ever a fire, so raise it with your broker before conditions come off.
The seller has an old WETT certificate. Is that enough?
Do not assume it is. Certifications are typically valid for a set period and need renewal, and a new insurer may want a fresh one. It has been there for years is not an answer your insurer will accept.
What does certification cost?
A basic Level 1 visual certification visit is the low end of $200 to $500 for a WETT visit. A more thorough Level 2 or 3 assessment, which looks at hidden chimney or attic areas, costs more, and remediation cost depends entirely on what has to move if the clearances do not meet code.
Can I just not use the stove?
Insurers generally ask about the appliance being present, not about whether you plan to light it. If you are not going to use it, ask your broker whether decommissioning and removing it is the simpler path.
Last reviewed 2026-07-06.
This guide is general education, not a home inspection and not advice for your specific property. Always
consult the appropriate licensed professional, and get a licensed home inspection before you remove conditions
or buy. Cost ranges are 2026 estimates that vary by region, size, and access; confirm specifics with a
qualified professional.