How Much Does Fireplace Installation Cost? [2025 Data]

Fireplace Installation Cost Breakdown

The two main factors affecting fireplace installation costs are the materials used and local labor rates, if hiring a highly-rated fireplace installer near you. There can be other cost components, however, including ventilation, gas line installation, and wiring. Here’s the full breakdown:

Type of Fireplace

The average cost of installing a fireplace or wood stove boils down to its type.

• Electric: The cost of installing an electric fireplace ranges from as little as $200 to as much as $10,000 for high-end units. 

• Wood-burning: You could pay upward of $30,000 to build a wood-burning fireplace from scratch. A higher price is likely if you need foundation work to hold up the weight of a new fireplace.

• Gas: Converting a wood-burning fireplace to gas costs about $3,000.

• Wood stove: More efficient and better for the environment. Always have a pro to help you move a wood stove safely.

• Fireplace inserts: You can install a wood-burning fireplace insert yourself for under $1,500, though you’ll spend more on a professional installation.

Fireplace Surround

The firebox is rarely the most expensive material when installing a fireplace. It’s everything that goes around the firebox that can quickly add up. Less expensive materials include simple tile or brick in a plain design. A more intricate design, like herringbone, can add more to the labor portion of your bill.

If you choose a more expensive material for the face, like marble or sourced stone, your materials can quickly reach the higher end of your budget. Finally, you’ll also need to consider materials for the mantle and hearth.

Labor

The more complicated the installation, the more labor you’ll pay. For example, the labor cost for a wood-burning fireplace is around $2,180, while an electric fireplace insert will only run you $225.

The type of fireplace or stove you want to install will affect how high or low the labor costs are due to complexity, wiring, masonry work, any necessary repairs, ventilation, and more.

Ventilation

Whether you’re reconfiguring an existing fireplace or adding a new one, you’ll likely need to have some kind of ventilation work done, whether that’s repairing or rerouting the existing vent system, inspecting an existing chimney, or installing a new vent system. The exception to the rule is when installing an electric fireplace insert or vent-free gas fireplace insert, neither of which requires ventilation.

The average ventilation system for a fireplace costs between $10 and $20 per linear foot. If you have an existing vent system for a gas fireplace, at the very least, you should hire a local gas fireplace contractor to inspect the current system and make sure it’s in good shape before installing a new gas fireplace.

Using an existing chimney to vent your new fireplace? A chimney sweep costs $255 for an annual inspection, but if they discover structural issues to your chimney, you’ll need to budget much more to go toward chimney repair costs, which can reach $5,000 (or $15,000 for a total chimney replacement).

Remember to install carbon monoxide detectors in any room with a wood or gas fireplace as a safety precaution. 

Gas Line Installation

Gas fireplaces can be more efficient and more convenient than a traditional wood-burning fireplace. But, gas fireplace installation isn’t easy.

It’s possible to install fireplace inserts yourself (and even DIY the fireplace around an insert, if you’re particularly handy), but when it comes to installing the gas line, you should always hire a local gas plumber to handle the work.

The average cost to install a gas insert is $3,600, but if you’re handling most of the work yourself and just hiring a plumber to connect the gas line, you can budget around $200.

Wiring

Electric fireplaces are much more affordable when compared to other fireplace installs, but you’ll still likely want to hire a local electrician to install a dedicated circuit.

Installing a gas unit? Depending on where you’re placing the gas insert, you may also need to have an electrician run the wiring.

Expect to spend between $150 and $200 for the typical wiring project.

Installing a Fireplace Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro

In most cases, fireplace installation should be left to a pro. While forgoing professional installation could save you a few hundred dollars, it’s not worth the problems that could arise with a faulty installation. For your safety, let a professional also handle any electrical wiring, gas hookups, and vent installation.

If you want a traditional stone or brick fireplace, in particular, you will absolutely need a top-tier masonry contractor near you to ensure the fireplace and chimney are built safely and to code.

Installing a wood stove instead of a fireplace? Make sure you work with the right kind of contractor. Get multiple quotes from several local wood stove installers with positive reviews.

There are exceptions, though. Hanging electric fireplaces that don’t require wiring is feasible if you’re handy. You can also opt to DIY a pellet stove installation, which costs $800 to $5,000.

You can also build a DIY outdoor fire pit, but you should hire a local landscape designer if you want an elaborate one to go with an outdoor kitchen.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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