How Much Does Fireplace Installation 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:
  • Professional fireplace installation costs between $940 and $4,218, with labor ranging from $225 for electric units to $2,180 for wood-burning fireplaces.

  • The fireplace type you choose and the complexity of your surround materials will determine your final installation total.

  • You should account for ventilation system costs of $10 to $20 per linear foot and potential chimney repairs when creating your budget.

  • Hiring a local fireplace installation professional prevents fire hazards and ensures exhaust components connect safely so fumes stay out of your home.

In 2026, the national average cost of fireplace installation is $2,509, based on 1,174 verified projects from Angi Pros. Most homeowners pay between $940 and $4,218, depending on the fireplace type, ventilation complexity, and surround materials. Costs can stretch from $150 on the low end to $8,660 for high-end or complex installations.

Fireplace Installation Costs: What Affects the Price?

The two main factors affecting fireplace installation costs are the materials used and local labor rates when hiring a highly-rated fireplace installer near you. Other cost components—including ventilation, gas line installation, and wiring—can also add to your total.

Type of Fireplace

wood burning red brick fireplace
dimetradim / Adobe Stock Photography

The type of fireplace or wood stove you choose is the primary factor determining your installation cost. Electric units tend to be the most affordable to install at around $1,000, while gas fireplaces can reach $2,500 to $10,000 depending on the complexity of the gas line work. Wood-burning fireplaces sit in the middle of the range, but can climb significantly if you're building from scratch. The table below breaks down average fireplace installation costs by fireplace type:

Wood Stove TypeAverage Cost in 2026Details
Electric$1,000Easy to install, operate, and maintain; increases utility bill
Wood-burning$700–$6,500Costs can skyrocket if starting from scratch
Gas$2,500–$10,000Complex gas line installation can increase costs
Wood stove$325–$4,000Highly efficient heating, more placement options
Fireplace insert$1,000–$3,600Affordable fireplace alternative; can be wood-burning, gas, or electric

Fireplace Surround

The firebox itself is rarely the most expensive part of a fireplace installation—it's the surround materials that can quickly drive up your total. Less expensive options include simple tile or brick in a plain design, which cost $1,000 to $1,500+, while intricate patterns like herringbone add to the labor portion of your bill. If you choose a premium material like marble or sourced stone, your materials costs will push toward the higher end, sometimes exceeding $5,000. You'll also need to factor in materials for the mantle and hearth when planning your overall spend.

The table below breaks down the average fireplace installation cost based on fireplace type:

Fireplace TypeAverage Cost in 2026
Tile$1,000+
Brick$1,500+
Wood$1,500+
Concrete$1,500+
Custom masonry$2,500+
Marble$5,000+
5 fireplace mantel material types compared visually, including concrete, wood, and brick
Photos: John Keeble / Moment / Getty Images, laughingmango / E+ / Getty Images, tomprout / E+ / Getty Images, Jawcam / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, asbe / E+ / Getty Images

Labor

Labor costs for fireplace installation range from $225 for an electric fireplace insert up to $2,180 for a wood-burning fireplace, with complexity being the primary driver. The type of fireplace or stove you choose affects labor costs through factors like masonry work, ventilation requirements, wiring, and any necessary repairs.

Ventilation

Most fireplace installations—whether you're adding a new unit or reconfiguring an existing one—require some form of ventilation work, and the average ventilation system costs $10 to $20 per linear foot. The only exceptions are electric fireplace inserts and vent-free gas fireplace inserts, neither of which requires ventilation.

If you're using an existing chimney, a chimney sweep costs $255 for an annual inspection, but structural issues discovered during that inspection can push chimney repair costs up to $5,000—or even as high as $15,000 for a total chimney replacement. If you have an existing ventless gas fireplace, hire a local gas fireplace contractor to inspect it before installing a new unit, and make sure to inspect the existing chimney as part of your planning process.

Remember to install carbon monoxide detectors in any room with a wood or gas fireplace as a safety precaution.

Gas Line Installation

Gas fireplaces are more efficient and convenient than traditional wood-burning units, but gas fireplace installation is not a simple project. The average cost to install a gas insert is $3,600, though if you handle most of the work yourself and hire a local gas plumber only to connect the gas line, you can budget around $200. While it's possible to DIY the fireplace surround around an insert if you're handy, the gas line connection should always be left to a licensed professional.

Wiring

Wiring costs for a typical fireplace project run between $150 to $200, whether you're installing an electric unit or a gas insert that requires an electrician to run wiring. Electric fireplaces are more affordable overall, but you'll still want to hire a local electrician to install a dedicated circuit. For gas inserts, the need for electrical work depends on where you're placing the unit.

Fireplace Pro Costs: What to Budget For

Most fireplace installations should be handled by professionals, so hire a local fireplace installer to ensure safe, efficient results.

Why you should hire a fireplace pro

A fireplace installation gone wrong can create serious fire hazards and allow dangerous fumes to leak into your home, which is why hiring a certified pro is essential. Beyond safety, professionals bring expertise in local building and fire codes, gas line connections, exhaust routing, and structural requirements that most homeowners simply don't have.

  • Professionals can recommend the right fuel, size, and brand of fireplace for your existing space.

  • Expert installers are knowledgeable about local building and fire codes, so they're able to safely connect gas lines if necessary.

  • Installers can take care of permits required for significant fireplace renovations, like changing the size of the firebox or the location of the fireplace.

  • The pros can connect exhaust components safely to your chimney so that fumes don't leak back into your home.

  • Fireplace components can be heavy and require significant installation steps, including roof and chimney work.

  • The pros can help arrange structural work if you need to reinforce your flooring or install a new exhaust line for your fireplace.

Next Steps: Finalize Your Project With a Pro
  • Set a clear budget and goals for your new fireplace before you start gathering estimates for the project. 

  • Consider if you want a new mantle, base, or surrounding flooring work, and include these add-on projects in your budget. 

  • Discuss your project timeline with the fireplace installer to schedule accordingly. Installations typically take one to three days.

  • When preparing for installation day, clear at least eight feet of space around your existing fireplace or the space where you want one. 

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’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from 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

Wood-burning fireplaces typically make homeowners insurance more expensive, simply because they increase the risk for a fire in your home. Gas and electric inserts are less likely to bring up your insurance rates, but you should always speak with your agent to understand how installing any type of fireplace will affect your premiums.

Fireplaces can theoretically help you save on heating bills if you lower the temperature throughout the rest of your home and heat only a single room that you occupy using the fireplace. However, in most cases, homeowners won’t save any money on heating bills. Gas and electric fireplace inserts could actually lead to a spike in your respective energy bills if you use them frequently, and if you don’t keep up with chimney maintenance and repairs, your traditional masonry fireplace could actually be a source of heat loss in the winter.

A fireplace's lifespan varies significantly depending on its type, the quality of construction, the materials used, and how well it is maintained. On average, you can expect a fireplace to last between 10 and 30 years, with many homeowners experiencing major issues after about 20 years.

Here's a breakdown by type:

  • Gas Inserts: Typically last 10 to 25 years with proper maintenance.

  • Electric Fireplaces: Have a lifespan of up to 20 years.

  • Traditional Brick Fireplaces: Can last for centuries, but require ongoing maintenance and repairs, such as tuckpointing.

Installing a fireplace outside could be more affordable, but that depends on several factors. If you’re only considering an outdoor fireplace to save on installation costs, you may be surprised once you start receiving quotes. On average, an outdoor fireplace costs around $3,000 to install, but the price can vary significantly depending on how ambitious your outdoor design plans are.

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