How Much Does It Cost To Install or Build A Fireplace?

Fireplace Cost

Fireplace installation costs between $100 and $5,600 depending on the type. The cost to install a gas fireplace is $2,300 to $4,000, a traditional wood-burning fireplace runs $1,900 to $3,300, and an electric fireplace costs $100 to $2,200. Building a masonry fireplace costs $3,500 to $5,600.

Here are the average prices installed, which includes the flue, vent, or chimney.

On average, a new metal prefabricated gas or wood-burning fireplace costs $2,900 installed, while an electric fireplace runs $1,200. A masonry fireplace costs an average of $4,900 installed in an existing home with a 12’ chimney.

A fireplace is known for giving the best feeling of home, with a warm and cozy ambiance. Real estate agents see fireplaces adding anywhere between $1,000 and $4,999 to your home's value, especially in colder climates. We're going to compare the pros and cons of each type of fireplace and their costs.

Table of Contents

1. Types of Fireplaces
• Pros & Cons
• Cost To Run Per Hour
2. Fireplace Installation Cost
• Wood-Burning
• Gas
• Electric
3. Cost To Build A Fireplace
• Adding Inside A Home
• Build Outdoors
• Install Gas Line
• Labor Costs
• Masonry & Customization
• Wiring
• Additional Costs
4. Vented Vs. Ventless Fireplace
• Natural Vents
• Ventless or Vent-Free
• Direct Vents
• Chimney Flue
• Chimney Installation
5. Reasons To Install A Fireplace
6. Frequently Asked Questions
7. Hiring A Fireplace Installer
8. Fireplace Installation Near Me

Types of Fireplaces

There are several different types of fuel-powered fireplaces and installations, namely gas, electric, and wood-burning, so the prices differ quite a bit. While one type might be cheaper to install, another might be cheaper to run over the years and last longer.

With gas fireplaces, you don't have to worry about getting up to throw more wood on a dying fire, while installing a wood-burning stove or fireplace in your home can provide an additional source of heat that is electricity and gas free.

Pros & Cons

Cost To Run Gas & Electric Fireplaces

The average cost to run a natural gas fireplace is $0.70 per hour, or about $60 per year, while propane costs $2.30 per hour. The cost to run an electric fireplace is $0.15 per hour.

Fireplace Installation Cost

A new gas, wood-burning, electric, or masonry fireplace firebox unit costs between $1,100 and $2,800, or about $1,800 on average. Professional installation and finishing adds $800 to $2,800, or about $2,100 on average, bringing your overall cost to install a fireplace at $1,900 to $5,600. These prices are before any veneer, hearth, or mantel is added.

Cost Breakdown To Install A Fireplace

Wood-Burning Fireplace Installation Cost

The cost to install a wood-burning fireplace ranges from $1,200 to $4,500, which is prefabricated and includes a 9’ – 24’, 9” chimney. One of the bonuses of a traditional fireplace is that no masonry support is needed under the firebox. The chimney is insulated and has a flue, lining, damper, and roof flashing. These are a great option for those looking to cut down on the electricity bills and have access to an ample amount of wood.

Cost To Convert Gas Fireplace To Wood-Burning

It is often possible to convert a gas fireplace to a wood-burning one for $100 to $300. However, if the fireplace is a zero-clearance or ventless fireplace with no flue to begin with, it is highly likely it cannot be converted. If it already has a flue, the gas line will have to be capped, gas inserts removed, and the flue changed out by a professional. This is no DIY job because of the danger of smoke inhalation if it's not done right.

Cost To Install Gas Fireplace

The cost to install a gas fireplace ranges from $2,280 to $4,030. The labor cost alone for a vented gas fireplace installation ranges from $2,500 to $2,800 while labor for a vent-free fireplace will cost about $1,200 less.

The installation cost can cost a lot more if you have no existing gas line to the house, but a local gas company might be willing to cover that cost to get your business.

The overall maintenance of a gas fireplace is relatively low. There is no soot or ash to scrape out, therefore requiring no cleaning. It burns the most efficiently out of all the choices, heating a room with less energy, and it only costs about $60 a year to run a gas fireplace.

Also, gas is a much better choice of fireplace if you live in an earthquake-prone location. Some sample prices for a direct-vent or vent-free gas fireplace without labor costs are:

Cost to Install a Propane Fireplace

The average cost to install a ventless propane fireplace is $1,200, and the cost to convert a gas furnace to a propane furnace is about $25 to $100. The difference in price between a gas-fueled and propane-fueled fireplace is in the fuel cost. Less propane is needed to provide the same amount of heat as gas. Both are considered to burn clean, but natural gas burns cleaner.

Gas Fireplace Cost Per Hour

• Natural gas burns at $0.70 an hour
• Propane burns at $2.30 an hour

Gas Log Installation Cost

Gas log inserts cost $179 to $1,129. The $2,280 to $4,030 price of an installed gas-burning fireplace includes the price of the gas logs or gas inserts. Gas logs are available for vented or vent-free gas fireplaces.

Vent-free gas logs are cheaper and produce the most heat but release more carbon monoxide. An oxygen depletion sensor comes with unvented gas logs and will shut the fire off before levels of carbon monoxide get high. Choose based on fuel type, the addition of lava rock cinders, and a remote-control option.

How Much Does It Cost to Convert a Wood Fireplace To Gas?

It costs $100 to $300 to convert a gas fireplace to wood. Switching a wood fireplace to a gas insert is $2,280 to $4,030 because a flue has to be built and a gas line installed. A ventless gas fireplace will cost about $1,200 less to install.

Electric Fireplace Installation Cost

An electric fireplace costs $100 to $2,200 or more, and the installation labor ranges from $0 to $365. Labor costs will only come up if you need to install a new outlet, for about $150, or if it needs to sit in or be attached to a wall.

A handyman charges $50 to $65 per hour with a minimum service fee of $50–$125. Otherwise, you can just plug it in. If you wish to place an electric firebox into a masonry fireplace, you’ll close off the chimney and the damper and add a frame and trim around the new firebox.

Electric fireplaces are safe and more practical than traditional open-hearth fireplaces. Electric fireplaces run on 1,500 watts of electricity, which costs $0.15 per hour on average. They require no clearance between combustible materials (like paneling, walls, or wood) and themselves, because they maintain a cool exterior.

Also, electric fireplaces don't require a chimney or hearth and can add a high aesthetic value to a room. They are better at heating rooms, as their heat does not escape up a chimney.

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Cost To Build A Fireplace

Building a new masonry fireplace costs between $3,500 to $5,600 on average. The cost to install a prefabricated brick fireplace is $2,000 to $3,000, whereas an authentic mason-built brick fireplace can cost $10,000 or more.

A typical wood-burning masonry fireplace is installed on a 12”-thick concrete foundation in a five-foot space which includes a firebox enclosed in a wall with a fireplace throat and smoke chamber, and it can include a gas valve. However, prefabricated fireplaces are much cheaper to install and cleaner to run.

Costs To Add Fireplace To A Home

The total cost to add a fireplace ranges from $100 to $5,600 depending on which fuel source you select. Of that total cost, the cost to install a fireplace and to buy the firebox the fire burns inside are two different price points to consider.

Do you want a large mantel, simple mantel shelf, ornate frieze, or inlay brickwork? Is the area irregular or difficult to add fittings and moldings to? There is also the cost of materials used to assemble the mantel or surrounding molding, like plaster.

• Plaster and frieze will cost $13 per linear foot.
• Mantel shelf with custom fitting and installation, $107 per mantel.
• Installing a pine mantel ranges between $1,105 and $3,017 for a more ornate, stained piece.

Cost To Build Outdoor Fireplace

An outdoor fireplace costs $140 to $3,500 or more before installation. Masonry and chimney construction typically adds $1,000 to $2,000 to your cost. Indoor and outdoor models are built the same way, but outdoor models are more flexible on fireplace codes. Additional charges may come with masonry work used to build a surround structure of the firebox, such as a hearth. An outdoor fireplace is an excellent alternative to a firepit.

Indoor-Outdoor Fireplace Cost

An indoor-outdoor fireplace cost depends on your budget, because they can come in any size and at any price starting at about $1,900. A trim kit costs $300 to $920. If it’s not included in the price, you’ll also need to buy a kit which allows for installation on the exterior wall and includes a double glass window and a barrier screen. Wiring, connection, and installation of a heater in a closed wall costs $141 to $202.

These fireplaces can be installed on exterior walls so they can be seen from both inside and outside. The cost is the same as installing an indoor fireplace, but you may be quoted a higher estimate than usual for the hole that has to be cut to create an opening to the outside. The way your home is constructed will largely determine additional installation costs.

Cost To Install Gas Line For Fireplace

The cost to install and run a gas line to a fireplace ranges from $26 to $55 per linear foot, with most spending $130 to $2,140. If a gas company already installed the main gas line to your home, then connecting them to a gas fireplace from the meter will be less expensive.

Even if you have no connection to the main gas lines, most gas companies are happy to install access to it if they can set up a monthly gas service with you. Bringing gas to an upstairs room can be a little more expensive, as there are more linear feet of gas pipe needed. Measure the distance from your gas meter to the location of the new fireplace to estimate the cost to install an interior gas line, which could be from 5’ to 50’ long.

Labor Cost To Put In A Fireplace

The labor cost to put in a fireplace ranges from $300 to $3,000, with most homeowners spending $2,100 for both installation and finishing.

Extra costs may apply to remove an exisiting fireplace, depending on the type and the extent of the demolition.

Fireplace Masonry & Customizations Cost

Customizations usually include adding a decorative mantel or brickwork around the opening. Masonry work will be the most expensive customization you can do to improve the overall aesthetic and is not typically done by the professional installing the firebox.

A small fireplace hearth is about 4” – 8” thick and usually extends 16” in front of the fireplace with 8” more on each side. A larger fireplace extends approximately 20” in front and 12” more on each side. To find the square footage around your fireplace, measure the space across the top of your fireplace (multiply the height by width) and then the space on each side of it. Add these three numbers together to get the total square footage of the front of your fireplace.

Fireplace Wiring

Wiring a fireplace is necessary if you have to plug in an electric fireplace. If you install a combustion air inlet kit, it will need to be run to the main control panel too.

Additional Costs

There are add-ons and other costs to consider when building your fireplace. For instance, you can buy a chimney liner kit for $90 to $700 with a selection of some or all the following: liner, flex pipe, cap, top plate, flashing, mortar sleeve.

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Vented Vs. Ventless Fireplace

On average, a ventilation system for a fireplace costs $1,200 installed, with prices ranging from $200 to $3,000 depending on the location of your vent system and any local regulations. A direct vent is installed in the form of a flue or chimney, unless you’re installing a ventless fireplace.

Choosing a proper venting option is critical to the efficiency and safety of your fireplace. Venting is essential to clean the smoke or polluted air out of your living room. Each manufacturer issues specific venting requirements it has determined based on several factors. Certain types of pipes and vents can only be used on certain parts of the fireplace. If you're converting a fireplace, it's likely the old pipes and vents won't be used at all.

Natural Vents

Natural vents or B-vents require pipes from fireplaces in the home to exit above the roof. They circulate air from the room for combustion (feeding the fire oxygen), which makes the fire burn more efficiently with the same amount of energy. Those fumes or burned air are then circulated outside, and only some of the rising heat is also sent outside.

Ventless or Vent-Free

Ventless fireplaces require no ventilation, and they are less expensive. Rooms are also heated more efficiently since no heat escapes up a vent. With the exclusions of bedrooms and bathrooms, these fireplaces can be installed anywhere in the home.

However, they are not as safe as vented fireplaces because the air pollutants and combustion levels can build up, especially in a well-insulated home or one with active fans, burning candles, and drafts.

Ventless fireplaces do come with oxygen level sensors that mechanically shut off the system before pollutants get too high, but they are not 100% reliable, and some states will not allow them. If you have breathing problems, like asthma, it's not recommended that you install this type of system.

Direct Vents

Direct-vent fireplaces pull air to the outside, keeping your home safe from pollutants. They can either vent horizontally through a wall or vertically through the roof, making their installation versatile and easy to work with. They are the most installed ventilation type of fireplace because of their safety in the home. These vents are best suited for a new home or a home that has been updated to be airtight.

Chimney Flue Cost

A chimney flue typically costs $1,200 to install on average, with prices ranging from $58 to $80 per linear foot. Even gas-burning fireplaces need proper ventilation to keep the air quality of your home breathable. Vented gas logs create a little bit of smoke that needs to be released up a flue (chimney). The design of your home and where your fireplace will go will determine how long the vents should be.

Chimney Installation Cost

The average cost to build a chimney is $1,000 and $3,500 or between $100 to $200 per linear foot, depending on the number of flues. A chimney or an opening connected to the exterior of a home transfer the fumes outside. This type of ventilation is called a direct-vent system.

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Reasons To Install A Fireplace

Energy Savings

A fireplace has a high energy-efficiency compared to an HVAC system. Natural gas burns clean with energy costs at $0.70 per hour, making it an eco-friendly option. A direct-vent gas fireplace has an energy rating of 60% to 80%, and draws in outside air which keeps the flame burning and gets rid of all the by-product and combustion gases. Wood burning fireplaces are the most energy-efficient choice and do not require a fuel source to generate heat other than adding more logs.

Maintenance & Upkeep

Gas and electric fireplaces are low maintenance, and no annual cleaning is required. It's recommended to get a yearly chimney inspection for $125 which covers the venting, pilot light, fan, and burner. For wood-burning fireplaces, it typically costs $100 to $200 per year for chimney cleaning.

Home & Resale Value

In a recent survey of real estate agents, more than 83% see fireplaces adding between $1,000 and $4,999 to the home’s resale value. This is especially true up north in colder climates.

Rebates

Some states give tax deductions or utility bill discounts for having fireplaces in the home. There are cash incentives and rebates for converting an old wood-burning fireplace into one that burns clean fuel like gas. A professional fireplace installer would know what your fireplace qualifies for, and you can also contact your local energy board for info.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are Wood-Burning Fireplaces Permitted in Your Area?

Ask your local fire department or Homeowners Association (HOA) for building code requirements about the new construction of a wood-burning fireplace. Some counties only allow fireplace remodels, while others require a fireplace permit to limit the number of new builds per year.

All manufactured wood-burning fireplaces must meet EPA PM emission standards as established in 1990. Most states prohibit the sale or use of any wood-burning fireplace that doesn't meet standards. Your state or county may have No Burn Days—when you will not be able to operate your fireplace on certain days for air quality control.

Can You Install a Wood-Burning Fireplace in an Existing Home?

Yes, you can install a new wood-burning fireplace in an existing home, as long as there is room for the chimney, and no local building codes are restricting the construction.

How Much Does It Cost to Install Fireplace Glass Doors?

The cost of labor for most additions to a fireplace is $70 to $160 an installation. Add that to the price of the glass doors of your choice to get a reasonable estimate.

How Much Does a Linear Gas Fireplace Cost?

A linear fireplace will cost the same as a gas fireplace, $2,280 to $4,030. These are also called rectangular or contemporary fireplaces.

How Much Does It Cost To Install A Gas Fireplace In Basement?

On average, the cost to install a gas fireplace in a basement is $1,705 to $4,291.

Cost of a Free-Standing Gas Fireplace

A free-standing gas fireplace will cost from $1,705 to $4,291, which includes professional installation.

How Much Does a Gel Fuel Fireplace Cost?

Gel fuel is used in ventless fireplaces, which can be easily installed by a homeowner. The fireplaces range from small tabletop units—the size of a large bowl—with prices starting at $50, going up to $16,000 for larger outdoor units that can extend 140 inches wide. The gel fuel comes in canisters, and its cost ranges from less than a dollar for a short burn period to $2,600 for up to 180 gallons worth.

How Much Does a Fireplace Inspection Cost?

A fireplace inspection costs $92 to $651, depending on damages and level of filth. An inspection involves checking for buildup and looking at the chimney to see if sweeps are necessary.

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Hiring A Fireplace Installer

Before signing a contract, get 3 to 5 quotes from reputable fireplace installers and select the best one. Never select the lowest quote as they may be unlicensed or inexperienced.

• Only consider quotes from contractors who will come out to your home to give an accurate bid.
• Make sure the contractor who licensed, bonded, and insured.
• Check online reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
• Choose a company that's been in business for at least five years.
• Choose the best warranty on labor.
• Make sure the fireplace that has been recommended for your home is the correct size and BTU (heat) output.

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