Many homeowners upgrade their old fireplace with inserts to get more heat and save energy and money. Learn more about the cost of installing a fireplace insert.
How Much Does a Gas Fireplace Insert Cost? [2026 Data]
Fireplace service costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
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Cost Insights:
Your gas fireplace insert installation total runs $2,300 to $8,000, averaging $3,700 depending on your insert and setup.
Vented direct-vent inserts cost more than ventless models because your home needs safe chimney or exterior venting.
Converting your wood-burning fireplace to gas needs a new gas line and chimney work, plus permits $150 to $400.
Hiring a local gas fireplace service professional ensures your gas line meets code and protects your household from leaks.
In 2026, the national average cost to install a gas fireplace insert is $3,700. Most homeowners spend between $2,300 and $8,000, with the spread driven by the type of insert you choose, the amount of prep work your existing fireplace requires, and local labor and permitting costs.
Gas Fireplace Insert Cost Factors: What Affects the Price?
The overall cost of a gas fireplace insert depends on factors like the insert's type and size, your current fireplace setup, and labor rates in your area. The breakdown below covers what to consider when putting together a budget for your insert installation.
Type
The type of gas fireplace insert you choose is one of the biggest cost drivers, with vented or ventless models sitting at opposite ends of the price spectrum. Ventless inserts are the more affordable option because they don't require any venting infrastructure. Direct-vent models, which route combustion gases outside through a chimney, exterior wall, or ceiling, cost more to install. Here’s how costs compare for vented and ventless gas fireplace inserts:
| Type | Average Cost in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Direct-vent | $4,300–$11,200 |
| Ventless | $1,500–$4,600 |
Existing Fireplace Setup
Your existing fireplace setup directly impacts the total project cost, with more prep work leading to a higher overall price. If you're converting a wood-burning fireplace to a gas-powered one, you may need to run a new gas line, while replacing an existing gas insert costs less than starting from scratch.
Gas fireplace insert costs depend on which preparatory tasks your project requires, as shown in the table below:
| Work Required | Average Cost in 2026 |
|---|---|
| New gas line | $200–$1,000 |
| Chimney cleaning | $100–$150 |
| Chimney repair | $160–$750 |
| Chimney rebuild | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Fireplace insert removal | $600–$2,500 |
| Fireplace removal | $4,000–$10,000 |
Size
Gas inserts come in a range of sizes, and larger units cost more than smaller ones. The right size depends on the square footage of the space you want to heat and the dimensions of your existing fireplace opening. If you're unsure which size fits your setup, a local gas fireplace installer can help you choose.
Surround Material
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The surround is the decorative area that frames your fireplace, often made of wood, tile, stone, or metal. Surround costs vary significantly by material, as shown in the table below:
| Material | Average Cost per Square Foot in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Wood | $9–$75 |
| Metal | $10–$50 |
| Tile | $10–$125 |
| Stone | $10–$300 |
| Marble | $20–$300 |
| Brick | $30–$50 |
Permits
Depending on your location and the scope of your project, you may need permits to install a gas fireplace insert, which cost an average of $100 to $400.
Labor
Labor is a significant portion of your gas fireplace insert installation cost, running $500 to $1,500 for a straightforward project. If your installation requires new venting or chimney work, budget an additional $1,000 to $6,000 on top of that base labor cost.
Gas Fireplace Insert Ongoing Costs: What to Budget For
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Beyond the installation cost, owning a gas fireplace insert comes with ongoing expenses for fuel, maintenance, and occasional repairs. Here’s a breakdown of what to budget for over time.
Operating Costs
Fuel is the primary ongoing expense for a gas fireplace insert, and running a gas fireplace costs $400 to $640 per heating season on average. Your exact cost depends on whether you use natural gas or propane, your insert's heat output, how frequently you run it, and your location, since fuel prices vary across the country.
Maintenance
An annual professional inspection is essential for catching safety issues and keeping your gas fireplace running efficiently, with the cost of a gas fireplace inspection ranging from $75 to $200 per year.
Repairs
Beyond routine gas fireplace maintenance, you should also set aside money for occasional repairs, which cost between $200 and $1,000.
Why You Should Hire a Gas Fireplace Insert Installation Pro
Hiring a local gas fireplace installer is the best way to ensure this addition is safe, efficient, and ready to run reliably over the years. Considering labor for a gas fireplace insert installation only costs about $500 to $1,500, the improved safety is more than worth the added costs.
Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a gas fireplace installation pro
Projects like this one are always better left to the professionals—benefits of working with a pro include:
Ensure safe installation of the gas line and other fittings
Compliance with the law (in certain areas) regarding gas installations
Quick work on any needed structural modifications
Safety when accessing the roof and other areas of the home
Compliance with local building codes
Ensure your gas fireplace will run efficiently and reliably over time
How to Save Money When Installing a Gas Fireplace Insert
Installing a gas fireplace insert is less expensive than installing a built-in gas fireplace, but if you’re looking to save even more money, these tips can help:
Pick a basic model: One way to cut costs is by choosing a simple fireplace insert without any fancy lighting, crackling sounds, or other optional bells and whistles.
Handle the prep work yourself: Clear it with your fireplace installer beforehand, but you may be able to save money by removing your old fireplace insert or cleaning the fireplace opening before the pros arrive.
Compare quotes: It’s a good idea to compare quotes from multiple contractors to see which companies offer the best prices. But beware of any suspiciously low estimates, which may equate to poor-quality work.
Next Steps: Finalize Your Project With a Pro
Do some research on whether you want a ventless or direct-vent gas insert, and ask your pro for more info if you need it.
Have your pro inspect your current fireplace to set up to see which components need to be added, changed, or replaced.
See if your expert can install a new fireplace surround at the same time for more savings.
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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fireplace services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.8★ avg. • 6 total reviews
- Sue B.
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 & exteriors - Alexander W.
Supreme 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 & chimney - Donald L.
Ace 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 Services - Chanda L.
Custom Paint Jobs LLCs custom murals brought life to our childrens rooms. They love it!
Custom Paint Jobs, LLC - Hannah T.
Storms Mobile Welding was great to work with. They were prompt, professional and did an overall excellent job on the project. I highly recommend.
- Heather M.
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 Ohio - Tiffany V.
The 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.
- Steven K.
Bought 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 Landscaping - M T.
We 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...
- Amy T.
Outstanding! The granite and the installation went so well that we had the remaining slabs of the granite put into our new house. The 2ND kitchen/wet bar installation went as well as the 1ST, so we had them put granite on our master bath counter top, shower seat, ledge and kick plate for...
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