Fireplace service costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Professional fireplace removal ranges from $4,000 to $6,000 depending on your fireplace type, size, and material composition.
The type of fireplace you have determines your removal costs, with masonry and gas fireplaces costing more than electric inserts.
You should account for equipment rental, debris disposal, and building permits when creating your project budget for fireplace removal.
Hiring a local fireplace remodeling professional keeps your household safe by handling structural components, gas lines, and load-bearing walls correctly.
On average, the cost to remove a fireplace is around $4,500, but the final price commonly runs between $4,000 and $6,000. Several factors affect the cost of this project, including the type of fireplace, the amount of damage it has, and whether or not you need your chimney removed.
When you’re calculating how much it will cost to remove a fireplace, you’ll need to consider factors like the type of fireplace, its condition, and local labor rates. Here’s how each of these variables can impact your project cost.
The type of fireplace you have will influence removal costs. For example, if you’re demolishing a masonry or gas fireplace, you can expect it to cost more than removing an electric fireplace insert or freestanding wood stove. Here are the approximate costs for removing a fireplace only (not including the chimney).
| Fireplace Type | Average Removal Cost |
|---|---|
| Wood-burning stove | $500–$1,000 |
| Gas fireplace | $600–$2,500 |
| Wood-burning fireplace insert | $500–$1,000 |
| Gas fireplace insert | $700–$1,200 |
| Electric fireplace insert | $250–$400 |
| Outdoor fireplace | $500–$2,000 |
A fireplace’s size directly affects how much it costs to remove it. The larger the fireplace, the more time, labor, and materials—and, therefore, money—you’ll need to dismantle it.
Everyone’s project is different. Some people might only need their fireplace removed, while others might require a full fireplace and chimney demolition. If you need to fix or rebuild your chimney, you can expect your costs to go up significantly. Here’s a breakdown of various chimney repair costs.
| Chimney Work | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Above-roof removal | $1,000–$1,600 |
| Chimney rebuild | $1,000–$3,000 |
| Flue and liner removal and replacement | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Below-roof or breast removal | $1,500–$2,500 |
| Full fireplace and chimney removal | $4,000–$10,000 |
Your fireplace's material can also affect removal costs. Bulkier and heavier materials (like brick and concrete) are pricier to demolish and haul away than lighter ones (like metal).
Tearing down a fireplace is a messy, labor-intensive job that produces a lot of debris. As a result, some of your budget will go toward the equipment and materials needed for demolition, as well as debris disposal.
For a smaller-scale removal, you can expect to spend $200 to $1,000 on equipment and disposal expenses. However, for a complete fireplace and chimney removal, you’ll likely pay between $500 and $2,000 on equipment and disposal.
If there’s damage to your fireplace or chimney, your contractor may need to put in extra work to fix it—and that can drive up your project costs. For instance, some older chimneys might contain asbestos, which must be removed by a professional. On average, asbestos removal costs between $1,200 and $3,300.
Removing your fireplace is a significant undertaking that will require permits. Your contractor should pull the permits for you, but you’ll want to confirm this beforehand. On average, permits for fireplace removal cost between $100 and $1,000 and are often included in your contractor’s quote.
Labor will account for a large chunk of your fireplace removal costs. Professional labor for fireplace removal ranges from $500 to $2,000, depending on your home’s location and the scope of the project. For a complete fireplace and chimney removal, labor costs can increase to $2,500 to $4,000.
Fireplace removal is a complex project that involves tricky structural components, masonry, gas lines, and ventilation systems. Even small mistakes can lead to serious safety risks, including collapse, debris hazards, or gas leaks. Hiring your local fireplace remodeler ensures your fireplace is removed in a safe, code-compliant way with minimal time or effort on your part.
A licensed fireplace professional has the structural, mechanical, and safety expertise needed for this type of heavy-duty project.
Pro fireplace remodelers understand load-bearing walls and can safely remove chimneys, hearths, and framing without causing structural damage.
Fireplace pros can properly disconnect gas lines or electrical components, reducing hazard risk.
Professionals handle debris removal and disposal, which can be extremely heavy and messy.
A pro makes sure the removal complies with local building codes and prevents issues with resale or inspections.
They have the right demolition tools and protective equipment that would cost a lot to rent or buy.
Hiring a pro saves significant time and stress compared to managing a major teardown alone.
Although you may not be able to remove your fireplace yourself, there are steps you can take to save costs on labor before pros arrive. Here’s what’s safe to handle solo:
Remove any decor, furniture, or wall hangings near the workspace.
Use plastic sheeting to cover floors or adjacent rooms to minimize dust spread.
Disconnect and remove any easily detachable, nonstructural components like mantels or trim.
Verify whether the fireplace is wood-burning, gas, or electric to provide accurate details during booking.
For many people, removing a fireplace is just the first step in a full-scale fireplace renovation or home remodeling project. If so, here are some related costs you may encounter:
Cost to install a fireplace insert: $700–$6,500
Cost to install a wood-burning stove: $1,500–$4,000
Cost to install a pellet stove: $1,000–$3,600
Cost to install a fireplace: $940–$4,200
Cost to remove a wall: $1,000–$10,000
Cost to install built-in bookshelves: $1,400–$4,800
As you can see, removing your fireplace is an expensive endeavor. If you’re only doing it for aesthetic reasons, it might not be worth the expense. However, if you must take down your fireplace for a renovation or structural purposes, there are some ways to cut costs in the process. Here are a few tips:
Leave your chimney up: Removing your chimney in addition to your fireplace can increase your project costs by thousands of dollars. To save money, ask your contractor if it’s safe to seal off your chimney rather than demolishing it.
Consider an insert instead: Are you removing a wood-burning fireplace because it’s too inefficient or messy? As a more affordable alternative, consider installing a gas fireplace insert in its place instead of removing the fireplace entirely.
Get multiple quotes: Before kicking off a major project like this, try to get quotes from at least three contractors. That way, you can compare rates and make sure you’re getting a good deal.
Ask your fireplace pro about the project timeline, and verify the logistics of removal, cleanup and disposal.
Consult your pro about your budget and any related renovations you want them to coordinate after removal.
Point out any other fireplace issues in case there are additional repairs or removals that need to happen alongside the project.
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 extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on 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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Terrible experience. Walls/trim/floors/cabinets/doors all have drip marks, overspray, etc. Tiling at the fireplace had to be redone by another vendor due to incorrect and shoddy install by Profect. Contractor had his children in our house while he was on site without prior authorization or...
Profect painting & exteriorsSupreme Brick & Chimney did a great job with a cleaning and inspection of the fireplace! He was efficient, on time, and very pleasant. The space was kept very clean, and the fireplace was spotless when he was done. He also performed a thorough inspection, and did a great job talking us...
Supreme brick & chimneyAce Fireplace Services came to the rescue for my chimney repair. They were quick to pinpoint the issue and worked their magic to fix it. My chimney is now in excellent shape, and I'm a satisfied customer.
Ace Fireplace ServicesCustom Paint Jobs LLCs custom murals brought life to our childrens rooms. They love it!
Custom Paint Jobs, LLCStorms Mobile Welding was great to work with. They were prompt, professional and did an overall excellent job on the project. I highly recommend.
On time, clean and finished fast. Windows seem sturdy and the finish is good. Caulking was done with no smudges. Would recommend.
Window Depot USA of Central OhioThe team is awesome!! I can generally pick up and clean throughout the week, but they CLEAN! Windows, stair rails, microwave. All the things I can’t ever seem to get to regularly. The house looks and smells great after they leave.
Blackburns did a great job and for about half of the estimated price!!! I have a big old house with a tall brick chimney. This chimney used to vent the fireplace which is no longer operational. I suspected that it also vented the hot water heater. Combustion of natural gas results in...
Blackburns Chimney SweepsBought a half a cord of firewood from Pitzer with stacking last month. I waited to report so I could see how the wood burned. <br /> <br /> I have three pet peeves regarding landscapers, but Pitzer scored "A"s regarding all three. First, rather than having customers "leave a message" and...
Pitzer LandscapingWe decided to update our partially finished basement, with a budget. Gerald worked with me on the lighting and chair rail selections, and produced an end product that was everything we wanted and within our budget. The work was done quickly, and he and his crew were always prompt and...
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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