How Much Does It Cost To Build A Fireplace And Chimney?

How Much Does It Cost To Build A Fireplace

A fireplace and chimney are more than just functional additions to your home. The best part is that you don’t even have to live in an area that experiences extremely low temperatures to see the value of having a fireplace and chimney.

So, how much does it cost to build a fireplace and chimney?

This really depends on a number of factors, the most important of which is the type of fireplace you want to build and how much work goes into remodeling the room in general. That being said, you should be prepared to spend anything from as little as $2,500 to about $10,000 and anything in between or above.

Let’s take a quick look at the different types of fireplaces you can build in your home and how much they will approximately cost.

Average Costs Of Building A Fireplace

As you can imagine, the average cost of building a fireplace and chimney will vary greatly depending on several factors. These include:

  • Your location: Some states have very stringent building codes that might drive up your overall cost in terms of materials and labor as well as expertise.
  • Materials: Depending on the kind of fireplace you want to build (brick, gas, or electric fireplace), many materials must be purchased, and these vary in price. The price is affected by the actual type of material you need for the specific kind of fireplace, but they also vary depending on the suppliers you use.
  • Complexity of installation: Not all fireplaces and chimneys are created equal. Some designs will be more straightforward than others, while many will require extremely technical engineering and masonry skills. This will depend on a couple of things – the kind of house you have and the kind of fireplace and chimney you want built.

Considering all that, let’s look at a few estimates to give you a rough idea of the kind of costs you might be shouldering.

  • A simple brick fireplace and chimney typically costs anywhere between $2,500 to approximately $5,000 if you use locally and readily available material and contractors. However, if you are looking at a customized brick fireplace built by a master mason, you can spend upwards of $10,000, depending on the design and how much the mason charges for labor.
  • Installation of a prefabricated fireplace should set you back between $2,000 and $3,000.
  • A typical masonry fireplace can cost you between $3,500 and $5,000.
  • If you intend to install a gas burning fireplace, then you might be looking at spending around $750 to about $1,000 for the gas log kit alone.
  • If you are putting in a new chimney, you should be ready to spend $100 per linear foot. That price can range from $60 depending on the contractor you get, but $100 is the average when putting in an engineered chimney. If you are looking at a masonry fireplace chimney, you will likely spend between $100 and $200 per linear foot. That means that you could spend about $600 or as much as $2,000 on a chimney that’s about 10 inches.
  • Another factor that you need to consider is the yearly chimney cleaning and chimney inspection costs. These can come out to around $150 to $300, regardless of the type of fireplace and chimney you choose.
Image Source: Wkedersha

Factors To Consider When Calculating Fireplace And Chimney Installation Costs

Whenever you have a big construction project like installing a new fireplace and chimney, certain factors will vary, just as certain factors will remain constant. Varying factors include personal taste, budget, and who you hire to do the work for you. However, here are some factors that remain constant as long as you are thinking of building a fireplace and chimney.

Prefabricated Fireplace Or Custom-Built?

As you would expect, whenever you hear the term “custom-built,” you know you are going to spend a bit of money. This is mostly because a custom-built fireplace and chimney are designed and constructed brick by brick or layer by layer to suit your specific taste and home.

Unfortunately, this means it takes more work, expertise, and sometimes even time, depending on how elaborate the design might be.

On the other hand, a prefabricated fireplace and chimney aren’t as labor-intensive and therefore much cheaper to buy and install. The issue with them is that they aren’t always as picture-perfect as most homeowners would like.

Wood Burning Or Gas?

This comes down to personal taste. For some homeowners, nothing can replace the look and feel of real firewood burning in their chimney – smoke, ash, and all. Others don’t like dealing with these combustion byproducts and would rather go for fireplaces that use gas logs. They don’t look nor feel like the real thing, but they get the job done.

Fireplace Location And Chimney Installation

Yes, the most commonplace for fireplaces to be located is in the living room. You might, however, want yours in the bedroom, outside, or even in all these locations. This will drive up the costs in terms of labor and material.

Another factor to consider is whether or not you are having a new chimney installed or you are simply linking up the new fireplace with an old chimney. New chimneys cost a bit more because you have to include the purchase or construction price.

How much does it cost to build a fireplace and chimney? About as much as you are willing to spend on it. On average, however, it shouldn’t cost you that much more than $10,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a chimney add value to a house?

It has been reported that a homeowner can recover over 100% of the expenses associated with a fireplace installation when they sell. The addition of a fireplace and chimney can increase the resale value of your home by as much as 12%.

How much does it cost to put a wood burning fireplace in a house?

If you want to install a wood burning fireplace, you should expect to pay between $860 and $3500. These costs vary depending on the specific features you choose and the extent of the work. Additionally, a wood fireplace is much more cost-effective than an electric fireplace or gas fireplace installation.

How much does it cost to build an outdoor fireplace?

If you choose to install an outdoor fireplace, you can expect to spend anywhere between $1500 and $20,000. However, on average, you will spend approximately $3,000 on an outdoor fireplace.

How much does it cost to install a ventless fireplace?

A ventless fireplace, including the cost of professional installation, can average between $2,000 and $3500. In addition, you may or may not require a permit to install your new ventless fireplace, which could be an additional cost.