Removing a gas fireplace will cost an average of $1,550, or between $600 and $2,500 based on the size of the demolition.
There are a lot of reasons you might want to remove your gas fireplace. Perhaps you want to open up the floor plan of your living room, or you’re simply tired of all the maintenance involved. Before you call someone to start knocking down your mantle, read our guide to get an idea of how much this project will cost. On average, the cost to remove a gas fireplace is between $600 and $2,500, though the price will be higher if you want to remove the breast, stack, and chimney flue as well.
When looking at fireplace removal costs, gas and electric fireplaces are almost identical in final costs. When thinking about removing a gas fireplace, first talk to your pro about all the potential options. Fireplaces add ROI to a home, so completely demolishing and removing one could lower your home’s overall value.
There are many components and parts to a fireplace, and how much of it you want removed will dictate the final cost.
| Removal | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Fireplace Only | $600–$2,500 |
| Full Demolition | $4,000–$10,000 |
| Breast/Below Roof | $1,500–$2,500 |
If you simply want to remove your fireplace and are leaving the breast, stack, and chimney flue alone, the cost to remove a fireplace insert will likely be between $600 and $2,500. Before the demo begins, you should hire a plumber with a gas fitters license to turn off and disassemble your gas line.
Complete demolition of your fireplace and its chimney will set you back $4,000 to $10,000. With a full demolition, there’s simply more work—and more cleanup. In addition, you’ll likely need to reconstruct some walls, floors, and ceilings. Because this project could affect the structure of your home, contact a local structural engineer for advice.
The breast is the area that protrudes from the wall, where the fireplace lives. It’s probable that you want this section removed as well, as a lot of people decide to remove a fireplace to create more floor space in their homes. If you’d like to remove the breast, expect to pay between $1,500 and $2,500. If you need the room refinished after, which might entail new wall installation or hanging drywall, you’ll pay an additional $2,000 to $3,000.
If you are looking to do a complete demolition of both fireplace and chimney, and the chimney is on a load-bearing wall, you will need to hire a structural engineer to assess the impact the demolition will do to your home. The overall costs will likely be much higher than the average (likely starting at $10,000) and will take much longer to finish.
Fireplaces and chimneys made of brick cost more to remove than those made of metal because the material is heavier and harder to work with and to dispose of.
As your project begins, you may discover there is damage or hazardous material in your walls that will require additional money to remove or fix. For instance, if your contractor finds asbestos (commonly used in the construction of fireplaces built before the 1980s), expect to pay $200 to $700 for its removal. You might also need to replace brackets or other reinforcing elements.
Depending on your zoning, you may need special permits or permission to remove your fireplace (or other components of your home). A local engineer will help you understand the local regulations and building codes, and your contractor should have knowledge about permits (and whether or not they are included in the fee for the work).
There are some options you can consider instead of totally removing your gas fireplace. Here’s a look at some alternatives:
You can convert a gas fireplace to a wood-burning fireplace for $150 to $300. For this job, it’s best to hire a fireplace contractor who knows how to do it safely. Converting a gas fireplace to a wood-burning one is easier and less expensive than the reverse. Your contractor can convert it by removing the gas logs or inserts and capping the gas line.
If you don’t want to convert your gas fireplace to wood, you can simply cap the gas line. Capping a gas line costs between $74 and $150, and basically means that you’ve turned off the fireplace’s gas source.
Even if you’re an avid DIYer, you shouldn’t remove a gas fireplace on your own. There are many details in the project that require a professional’s eye and opinion, and the removal could impact the structural integrity of your home. At the very minimum, you’ll need to hire a local plumber with a gas fitters license and a structural engineer near you, in addition to the local contractor who will do the removal.
Removing your fireplace can lower your home’s overall value, but probably only slightly (around $1,000 to $5,000, on average). When deciding whether or not to remove your fireplace, weigh the benefits of removing your fireplace (less maintenance, more floor space) against the potential loss of value.
The project could take anywhere from one to five das, depending on the extent of the removal. Capping a gas line can be done on the same day, whereas completely removing a fireplace and chimney can span several weeks. Talk to your pro about the timeline and potential obstacles, like fireplace material, location, and potential structural issues.
Moving a chimney is possible, but it is a very complex process that requires professional expertise, knowledge of building codes, and safety protocols. Most homeowners find it easier to remove the fireplace and build a new fireplace and chimney in the new location of your home. Talk to your chimney pro about all your options, their costs, and pros and cons.
