Fireplace service costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Fireplace insert installation runs between $700 and $6,500, and your insert type and labor needs set the total.
Your room’s square footage and desired heat output decide the insert power and efficiency you need.
You should budget $200 to $1,000 to connect gas or electric lines and repair your firebox.
Hiring a local fireplace installation professional helps install your insert safely and meet building and electrical code requirements.
A fireplace insert costs between $700 and $6,500 on average and depends on the type of insert you choose. This project rarely costs more than $8,000.
As the weather gets cold, you may want a cheerful fire crackling in your fireplace to cozy up to on those long winter nights. But you might find it’s not so convenient—it can get messy dragging wood logs into your home, not to mention that a lot of the heat is going straight up the chimney. If you want to get the most out of your fireplace and start it up with just a push of a button, it might be time for you to learn how to install a fireplace insert—or hire a pro to do it. Here are the fireplace insert cost factors to know before installing.
The cost to install a fireplace insert depends on your home layout, current fireplace setup, and your fireplace insert preferences. With proper installation, fireplace inserts offer multiple benefits over a traditional fireplace, and a fireplace contractor and installer near you can help you get the job done.
Here is a breakdown of the main factors that determine the final cost.
The fireplace inserts come in different sizes depending on the size of the area you need to heat up. The bigger the size of the insert, the more it costs.
An 18-inch fireplace insert that can heat an area of 100 square feet or less costs $500, while a 36-inch insert that can heat up to 2,000 square feet costs up to $2,000. Costs by size will also differ between each type of fireplace.
| Insert Size in Inches | Average Cost* |
|---|---|
| 18 | $500 |
| 21 | $1,200 |
| 30 | $1,700 |
| 36 | $2,000 |
| 42 | $2,300 |
*Materials only
Fireplace inserts have different installation protocols depending on the type. The type of fireplace insert plays a major role in the final price. The following is a list of average cost ranges for each fireplace insert type:
| Type of Fireplace Insert | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Gas | $700–$1,000 |
| Electric | $500–$2,000 |
| Wood | $1,000–$1,500 |
| Pellet | $2,000–$3,000 |
The labor cost to install a fireplace insert depends on what it’s powered by: wood, propane, pellets, or electricity. Some inserts cost more than others, such as wood-burning or gas inserts. Wood-burning or gas inserts require hook-ups to the chimney or utility lines. Here’s the different labor cost to install each type of fireplace insert:
| Type of Fireplace Insert | Labor Cost |
|---|---|
| Wood-burning | $2,200 |
| Gas | $1,500 |
| Pallets | $500 |
| Electric | $200 |
When installing your new insert, you may have to pay extra expenses to connect electric and gas lines, as well as clean and complete any necessary repairs to your wood-burning fireplace system to prepare for the insert. Because you’re using one or more fuel sources, you’ll need to ensure everything is up to the local building code and work with a licensed pro.
Keep an extra $200 to $1,000 in your budget for any unexpected work and to cover these additional costs that may come up.
Homeowners should steer clear of DIY electrical repairs or installations, as the risk of injury is shockingly high! Instead, hire a local electrician who has the expertise to complete electrical jobs safely.
In short, bigger spaces need a more powerful fireplace insert (which is often more expensive). Fireplaces measure their heat output in British thermal units (BTUs) or kilowatts (kWs), but you’ll also want to consider their overall heat “efficiency.” Heat efficiency is how much heat an insert produces divided by the amount of heat is wasted (from going up the chimney). The manufacturer will have all of this information in the product specifications of the insert you’re looking at.
One way to get by with purchasing a lower power insert is to consider how much of the room you really need heated. If your fireplace is in an open concept house, you may only need the surrounding area heated versus the entire first floor.
If you’re opting for an electric or gas fireplace insert, many today come with new technology to mimic the features of a wood burning fireplace. There are new features like adjustable flame colors, faux logs and rocks, and even “crackling” sounds to recreate the feel of a wood fireplace. There are also safety controls like dimmers, automatic shutoffs, timers, and oxygen detection.
No matter what kind of fireplace insert you have, there will be a couple of important ongoing expenses to keep in mind as you calculate your budget for the project.
Fuel source: If you have a wood-burning insert, make sure you have a reliable place to source wood from. If you don’t fancy yourself a lumberjack, you’ll have to pay someone for wood. One cord of wood costs $300 on average, which should last you eight to 12 weeks.
Utility costs: If you have a gas or electric insert, you’ll be paying money each month to keep the flames alight. Research utility costs in your area to calculate how much you’ll spend in electricity or gas bills. The average cost for natural gas across the country is around $13 per month, and electric costs around $137 per month.
Maintenance: Though not as intensive as a standard fireplace, maintenance needs still exist for inserts. Wood-burning inserts require the most maintenance. Plan to buy a dry wire brush and ash scoop and keep baking soda in the house.
When it comes to installing a fireplace, it’s always better to work with a professional. Hiring a fireplace installer ensures a better-looking end result, safer operation of the fireplace, higher energy efficiency, and much more. When you consider the benefits of working with an expert on this project, the labor cost of $200 to $2,200 is more than worth the investment.
Working with an expert on your fireplace installation has a number of benefits, such as:
Ensuring a seamless look between the insert and the surrounding wall
Higher energy or fuel efficiency when using the fireplace
Ensure safety during the installation and use of the fireplace
Compliance with building codes
Ensure compatibility with your current electrical and gas systems
Installing an insert is the most cost effective way to upgrade your fireplace as you’re using your existing fireplace system. But if you’re looking for shave off some dollars, here are some cost saving corners you can cut:
Think small: Go with a smaller insert, both in size and heating capacity, which will overall lower your costs on the insert itself.
Stick with the same heat source: You’ll save money if you’re not converting your fireplace to a new heat source (like electric to gas, or the reverse).
Minimize special features: Opt for more standard accessories or features that some pre-fabricated.
Talk to your pro about the size of the fireplace to see what works best for your home and budget
See what type of fireplace your pro recommends based on your heating needs and budget
Get an evaluation of your current electric and gas lines to determine what type of fireplace will be most suitable
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.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
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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