Fireplaces add warmth and community to a space. Nothing is better than putting your feet up close to the mantel and settling in after a long day at work. If you are considering adding either a wood stove or a wood-burning fireplace, the cost can range from low to considerable. It is a matter of knowing which type is best for your space, and how much work is involved. Although they do add heat – which can help with your heating bills – there are times when fireplaces do very little to help with the energy efficiency of your home.
Wood-burning fireplace installation costs
The average price in the US to install a gas-burning fireplace is over $2000, while the installation costs of a wood-burning fireplace range from $800 to over $3000, depending on the materials you use and the type of installation that you choose.
If you want a fireplace that is ornate and has a large expansive hearth, then obviously you are going to be on the high end of the cost estimate. If you have a gas line installed that helps to ignite the fireplace, that is also an additional cost that requires labor and materials. In the end, however, adding a gas line is not that much more expensive unless there is no gas line close; in that case it becomes a matter of replumbing the walls around the fireplace.
What considerations do you have to make when you design a fireplace?
Aside from choosing the types of materials that you want to use, you also have to figure out what labor costs there are. Sometimes the labor costs are going to be the biggest expense for your fireplace. If you use things like natural stone or tile, then you will have to hire professionals to construct the fireplace.
Generally, the more intricate the design, the higher your labor costs will be. For example, if you choose to install a vent-free gas fireplace, then the cost will be about $400, but if you choose to install a complete fireplace, the cost can be upwards of over $1000, because you have to build a propane tank connection. The following are the different things that will add cost to your fireplace installation:
Gas line installation
If you already have an existing gas line in your house, then you may not need to have an additional line put in. You might be able to extend the original line for your fireplace. The labor costs that you will incur will depend on what you already have to work with. The average homeowner can assume that a gas line will cost about $200, with an additional fee to install the propane tank. If you want to connect the gas line to your existing house gas or run a line to the main supply, the cost can range from $500-2000.
Customization and assembly
Any fireplace is going to need some assembly, but some are more complex than others. Free-standing fireplaces cost about $500, and you typically will still have to hire someone to assemble and install it. Choosing your fireplace is all about what you want personally for your living space and the budget that you have.
Ventilation
There will be specific ventilation requirements for where you live that dictate how you have to vent a fireplace. A basic installation might cost about $200, but the more complex it becomes the more the cost will increase. The type of fireplace that you choose will also determine how much installation is involved. Some fireplaces will cost more than $3000, so it is important to know what the ventilation requirements are and the additional costs involved before choosing which is right for you.
Wiring costs
Electric units are going to require more wiring to accommodate the fireplace. The wiring can range anywhere from about $150-300. However, if there is no electric box nearby that estimate can climb quickly. Electricians typically charge by the hour, so the more complex the job is the more you can expect to pay.
Fireplaces are an excellent addition to your home to make it more cozy and comfortable, but they do not come without significant cost. Even the most basic fireplace can start to add up if you don’t take all installation requirements and costs into account.
