Should the pilot light always be on in a gas fireplace?

• <div><p>Depending on the model of your fireplace, you can leave your pilot light on year-round. This does use a small amount of fuel, so you’ll save on your energy bill by turning off the pilot light seasonally. Keep in mind that some gas fireplace models don’t have a standing pilot light.</p></div>

Should you buy or build an outdoor fireplace?

• <div><p>Deciding whether to buy a prebuilt fireplace kit or build one from scratch comes down to aesthetics, available space, and budget. Many homeowners like the convenience and lower cost of prebuilt options—around <b>$1,500</b>—versus the involved planning and construction of a larger fireplace. Another bonus: you can usually move prebuilt units. Custom projects are more common when homeowners have access to a larger budget and more area in the yard to place the fireplace. </p></div>

Get matched with top fireplace pros in Columbia, VA

Q: What are the benefits of a pre-fabricated fireplace?

• <div><p>They provide an affordable, easy-to-install alternative to masonry fireplaces with efficient heating options.</p></div>

Q: What are the health issues with wood-burning stoves?

• <div><p>Both wood-burning stoves and fireplaces can emit smoke and other combustion gases that are harmful to human health. <a href="https://www.lung.org/blog/wood-burning-stoves-and-heaters">According to the American Lung Association</a>, wood smoke can lead to coughing and wheezing as well as long-term health impacts like increased risks for heart attacks and stroke. </p><p>Newer models meet the modern efficiency standards set in 2020 by the Environmental Protection Agency for cleaner burning, more efficient wood stoves. Regular maintenance can also minimize smoke.</p></div>

Q: What are the downsides of a gas fireplace?

• <div><p>Some people don&rsquo;t like the look of gas fireplaces since they don&rsquo;t offer the classic charm or appeal of a wood-burning fire. Plus, gas fireplace installation is more expensive than other types of fireplace installations due to the added complexity of working with gas lines. There&rsquo;s also a chance that gas could get into your home, which is a major health and safety risk.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Fireplace Service pros in Columbia, VA

*The Angi rating for Fireplace Service companies in Columbia, VA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Fireplace Service needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Fireplace Service companies in Columbia, VA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Fireplace Service needs.

Last update on October 12, 2024

Reviewed in October 2024
Jeff and Donny did an excellent job staining our replacement two-level deck with pergola, rails and steps. We chose Cabot semi-transparent stain and the results are beautiful. Jeff gave us a fair quote and arranged the project date. Communication was great. We will look forward to more home...
Jeff's Interior and Exterior Painting Plus More
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Reviewed in March 2023
Fantastic job demoing our old electric fireplace and prepping the space for a new, larger gas inset! Karl and Kent were very professional and reviewed our design plans provided by the gas company to ensure a proper fit of the unit. Karl did a great job explaining the process and even talked to...
Fair Rate Handyman & Home Services LLC
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Reviewed in September 2022
The project was replacing the siding on the chimney. He was thorough and completed they job very quickly. Great communication on how things were going and what to expect.
Invision Construction Group LLC
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Reviewed in October 2019
very informative and quick work. They repaired the crown, two vertical cracks in both chimneys and installed two caps w/ dampners. work was clean and i cant wait to start using my fireplaces. cool guys!
Honeycutt Chimney Sweeping and Inspection
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Reviewed in January 2019
This company is one of the best I have ever encountered. The price was reasonable. The advice was impeccable. The services were performed ahead of schedule. He knows what he is doing. He converted our fireplace from gas back to the original wood-burning setup. I feel perfectly safe burning a...
Allstate Chimney Service
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Reviewed in October 2015
I would highly recommend Sergio. He is very professional and cares a lot about what he does. He and his very small team are highly skilled in the art of tile. We purchased a house with a horrible DIY gone wrong slate master bathroom (tiles installed backwards in the shower, uneven slate tile...
Creative Tile Concepts
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Reviewed in December 2014
The good: the sales staff were helpful and made our selection of a model easy. The installation staff appeared to be proficient and, when the model we selected turned out to be defective, took extra steps to fix the deficiency and ensure the log set worked correctly. The bad: scheduling and...
Acme Stove of Charlottesville
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Reviewed in May 2014
They were good. Their price was reasonable. They had to adjust the flames on m fireplace and they cleaned up. They were polite, they did everything that they said they would do and they left. I would recommend them.
Guirkin Plumbing & Heating
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Reviewed in March 2014
They did a good job but it did take about 4 weeks to get the parts to repair the fireplace. They did not have the pipes on the truck to replace the stove pipe. I had asked if that could be done when they came back to fix the fireplace but when they returned they only fixed the fireplace and...
Wooden Sun
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Reviewed in February 2014
Midwinter my wife and I noted a leak from the roof skylight. We called three roofers from Angie's and Roof Top Services responded quickly and set an appointment to provide an estimate. Mr. Ownensby arrived at the scheduled time and climbed his ladder to survey the problem. Don't laugh, another...
Roof Top Services LLC
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Find Fireplace pros in Columbia

Allstate Chimney Service, LLC

4.9(

)

Clean and Inspect a wood fireplace chimneyBrick or Stone Fireplace (Non-Gas) - RepairPre-Fabricated Fireplace Unit (Non-Gas) - Repair

Serving Columbia, VA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1990

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"Cleaning and vacuumed the gas log fireplace. Checked the chimney mortar and lining. Efficient and friendly service."

16 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by92%of homeowners

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Shamrock Maintenance Corp

4.5(

)

Gas, Pellet, or Wood Stove - InstallClean and Inspect a wood fireplace chimneyBrick or Stone Fireplace (Non-Gas) - Repair+3 more

Serving Columbia, VA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1985

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"The experience was wonderful; Juan, the lead technician, explained the entire job before carrying it out, and we were very pleased with the result. I also received excellent service at the office. I would always recommend a Shamrock fireplace."

58 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Traditional Masonry, Inc.

4.0(

)

Brick or Stone Fireplace (Non-Gas) - InstallBrick or Stone Fireplace (Non-Gas) - Repair

Serving Columbia, VA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1988

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"They kept us informed about the timing of the work. This was a repair to the front porch at the door so it is very visible. The work is beautifully done - better than I imagined it could have been. True craftsmanship."

+34

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Big Boys tree service

New to Angi

Clean and Inspect a gas fireplaceClean and Inspect a wood burning stove or pellet stoveClean and Inspect a wood fireplace chimney

Serving Columbia, VA and surrounding areas

Approved

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

Offers commercial services

Ready to work. Happy to serve the area, work hard and can climb. Fair pricing efficient, friendly. Doing tree removal, chipping, clearing, stump grinding. Reasonably priced, clear communication.

17 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Perla's cleaning

New to Angi

Clean and Inspect a wood burning stove or pellet stoveClean and Inspect a wood fireplace chimney

Serving Columbia, VA and surrounding areas

Approved

My name is Perla H, i have almost 10 years of experience i love doing this and more happy when clients said they like it and are happy with our job.\n\nThis is a group of 3 sister that we love to work together. \n\nWhat ever you need you will have it...

2 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Jrs hvac mechanical llc

New to Angi

Clean and Inspect a gas fireplaceClean and Inspect a wood burning stove or pellet stoveClean and Inspect a wood fireplace chimney

Serving Columbia, VA and surrounding areas

Approved

I do hvac , cool and heating service

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Melissa Shay

New to Angi

Clean and Inspect a gas fireplaceClean and Inspect a wood burning stove or pellet stoveClean and Inspect a wood fireplace chimney

Serving Columbia, VA and surrounding areas

Approved

Hello, my name is Melissa. I have over 30 plus years of housekeeping experience and 12 plus years business cleaning experience. I love everything nice and tidy! I love to travel in my free time. Always up for a beach trip to go shelling! 🐚🌊

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Diego Rodriguez

New to Angi

Clean and Inspect a gas fireplaceClean and Inspect a wood burning stove or pellet stoveClean and Inspect a wood fireplace chimney

Serving Columbia, VA and surrounding areas

Approved

We are a licensed, experienced construction and handyman service company with over 5 years of hands-on expertise delivering reliable, high-quality work across a wide range of services. Our specialties include drywall installation and repair, plastering, ceiling work, door installation, hardware setup, and full-service construction support. We also provide professional demolition, thorough cleaning services, furniture and equipment assembly, TV and picture frame mounting, and efficient moving and junk removal solutions. Known for our attention to detail and commitment to getting the job done right the first time, we take pride in offering dependable service at reasonable, competitive prices. Whether it’s a small home project or a larger renovation, we bring the knowledge, skill, and professionalism needed to exceed expectations every step of the way.

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Simmons Assembly

New to Angi

Clean and Inspect a gas fireplaceClean and Inspect a wood burning stove or pellet stoveClean and Inspect a wood fireplace chimney

Serving Columbia, VA and surrounding areas

Approved

I pride myself and my crew to give the best service and treqt it as if it was ours

1 neighbors recently requested a quote

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j Houston logistics

New to Angi

Clean and Inspect a gas fireplaceClean and Inspect a wood burning stove or pellet stoveClean and Inspect a wood fireplace chimney

Serving Columbia, VA and surrounding areas

Approved

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

Offers commercial services

We actually specialize in hoarding services. Very patient and accommodating staff. Simple garage clean outs , to complete home restorations.We look forward to helping you out soon.

Request Quote

Showing 1-10 of 44

Fireplaces questions, answered by experts

They provide an affordable, easy-to-install alternative to masonry fireplaces with efficient heating options.

Depending on the model of your fireplace, you can leave your pilot light on year-round. This does use a small amount of fuel, so you’ll save on your energy bill by turning off the pilot light seasonally. Keep in mind that some gas fireplace models don’t have a standing pilot light.

Deciding whether to buy a prebuilt fireplace kit or build one from scratch comes down to aesthetics, available space, and budget. Many homeowners like the convenience and lower cost of prebuilt options—around $1,500—versus the involved planning and construction of a larger fireplace. Another bonus: you can usually move prebuilt units. Custom projects are more common when homeowners have access to a larger budget and more area in the yard to place the fireplace.

Both wood-burning stoves and fireplaces can emit smoke and other combustion gases that are harmful to human health. According to the American Lung Association, wood smoke can lead to coughing and wheezing as well as long-term health impacts like increased risks for heart attacks and stroke.

Newer models meet the modern efficiency standards set in 2020 by the Environmental Protection Agency for cleaner burning, more efficient wood stoves. Regular maintenance can also minimize smoke.

Some people don’t like the look of gas fireplaces since they don’t offer the classic charm or appeal of a wood-burning fire. Plus, gas fireplace installation is more expensive than other types of fireplace installations due to the added complexity of working with gas lines. There’s also a chance that gas could get into your home, which is a major health and safety risk.

The Columbia, VA homeowners’ guide to fireplace services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

See all articles

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How Much Does Fireplace Repair Cost? [2026 Data]
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•
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How Much Does a Bioethanol Fireplace Cost? [2026 Data]
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•
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11 Parts of a Fireplace You Should Know
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50+ Stylish Fireplace Ideas to Boost Your Home’s Value
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•
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12 Cozy Bedroom Fireplace Ideas to Consider
With a few easy decorating tips, you can make your bedroom fireplace the stylish focal point of your room. Up the cozy aesthetic of your bedroom with these 12 ideas.