Last updated: 2026-07-05
Quick Answer
Pick a fireplace type to get a cost range. Electric runs $600-$2,500 installed, a gas insert $2,300-$5,500, a gas built-in $3,500-$8,000, and a new wood-burning fireplace with a chimney $5,000-$12,000. Then toggle the gas line, venting, and surround - those add-ons are where the bid really grows. Prices vary by region, so get local quotes before you commit.
Inputs you'll need
- Fireplace type: electric, gas insert, gas built-in, wood-burning insert, or wood-burning built-in
- Whether a new gas line is run to the fireplace ($300-$1,200)
- Whether new venting or a chimney is needed ($500-$2,500)
- Whether a stone or tile surround and mantel are added ($800-$3,500)
- Whether a dedicated electrical circuit is required ($200-$700)
- Whether the old fireplace or insert is removed and hauled ($200-$600)
- Your location, to adjust pricing for your regional labor market
Related tools: HVAC Installation Cost Calculator for the rest of the heating job, Contractor Estimate Template to turn line items into a bid.
Gas insert or log set dropped into an existing masonry fireplace. Needs a gas line and reuses the existing chimney.
Add-ons
Estimated Fireplace Installation Cost
$2,600 – $6,700
Gas Insert / Log Set · installed
Cost Breakdown
Tip: The base install covers the unit and standard labor. Gas line runs, new venting, and a stone surround are where a fireplace bid really grows - price them as separate line items so the homeowner sees exactly what drives the number. Permits and inspection are usually required for gas and wood-burning work.
12,800+ estimates calculated this month
Fireplace Installation Cost Guide
Installed costs by fireplace type, what drives the price, and the line items a cheap bid leaves out.
How Much Does Fireplace Installation Cost in 2026?
Fireplace installation costs $600 to $12,000 in 2026, depending on the type. An electric unit is the cheapest install at $600-$2,500, a gas insert or built-in runs $2,300-$8,000, and a new wood-burning fireplace with a full chimney can hit $5,000-$12,000.
- Electric fireplace: $600–$2,500 installed
- Gas insert / log set: $2,300–$5,500 installed
- Gas built-in (direct-vent): $3,500–$8,000 installed
- Wood-burning insert: $2,500–$5,000 installed
- Wood-burning built-in (new chimney): $5,000–$12,000 installed
The type is the biggest cost driver, but the extras add up fast. A new gas line, new venting, and a stone surround can add $1,600–$7,200 on top of the base install. Prices vary by region, so get local quotes before you commit.
Key Takeaways
- Electric is the cheapest fireplace install at $600–$2,500
- Gas inserts and built-ins run $2,300–$8,000
- A new wood-burning fireplace with a chimney runs $5,000–$12,000
Electric vs. Gas vs. Wood-Burning: What Drives the Price
What you spend comes down to fuel type and whether you already have a chimney. Electric skips gas and venting entirely, so it is the fastest and cheapest. Wood-burning built-ins need a full flue, which is why they cost the most.
- Electric ($600–$2,500): Plug-in or hardwired. No gas line, no venting, no combustion. Great for condos and rooms with no chimney.
- Gas insert / log set ($2,300–$5,500): Drops into an existing masonry fireplace. Needs a gas line but reuses the chimney.
- Gas built-in ($3,500–$8,000): A new direct-vent firebox that vents through an exterior wall. No chimney required.
- Wood-burning ($2,500–$12,000): An insert reuses an existing flue; a new built-in needs a full chimney and is the most expensive option.
I always tell homeowners the wall-mounted electric unit they saw online is not the same job as a gas built-in that needs a line run and a vent cut through the siding. The unit price is only half the estimate.
Key Takeaways
- Fuel type and existing venting drive most of the cost
- Electric needs no gas line or venting
- A new wood-burning chimney is the priciest part
What a Fireplace Bid Leaves Out
The advertised unit price rarely covers the whole job. These are the line items that turn a $3,000 insert into a $6,000 project, and the ones homeowners are shocked by when a cheaper bid skipped them.
- Gas line run ($300–$1,200): New line to the fireplace at roughly $15–$40 per linear foot.
- Venting or chimney ($500–$2,500): A flue liner, direct-vent kit, or new chimney.
- Stone or tile surround & mantel ($800–$3,500): The facing and hearth that make it look finished.
- Dedicated electrical ($200–$700): A circuit for an electric unit or a gas blower fan.
- Permits and inspection: Almost always required for gas and wood-burning work.
Get multiple bids and confirm each one covers the same scope - unit, labor, gas line, venting, surround, and permit - before you compare them. The cheapest bid is usually the one that quietly left the venting out.
Key Takeaways
- Gas line, venting, and surround are separate line items
- Gas and wood-burning work almost always needs a permit
- Compare bids on the same scope, not just the unit price
Fireplace installation cost by type (2026)
Installed cost ranges for the unit plus standard labor. Gas line, venting, surround, electrical, and removal are separate add-ons. Prices vary by region - get multiple local bids and confirm each covers the same scope.
| Fireplace Type | Installed Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | $600 – $2,500 | Condos and rooms with no chimney |
| Gas insert / log set | $2,300 – $5,500 | Existing masonry fireplace |
| Gas built-in (direct-vent) | $3,500 – $8,000 | New location, no chimney |
| Wood-burning insert | $2,500 – $5,000 | Upgrading an open masonry hearth |
| Wood-burning built-in | $5,000 – $12,000 | New fireplace with full chimney |
What a cheap fireplace bid leaves out
- The gas line. If there is no gas at the fireplace, running a new line is $300-$1,200 at roughly $15-$40 per linear foot. A bid that skips this is not comparing apples to apples.
- Venting. A flue liner, direct-vent kit, or new chimney is $500-$2,500. You cannot install a gas or wood-burning unit without a code-compliant way to vent it.
- The surround and hearth. The stone, tile, or brick facing and mantel that make it look finished run $800-$3,500. That is the part the homeowner actually sees.
- Permits and inspection. Gas and wood-burning work almost always needs a permit and an inspection. I pull the permit every time - a failed inspection or an insurance problem later costs far more than the fee.
- Old-unit removal. Tearing out and hauling the existing insert or hearth is $200-$600 that a unit-only quote ignores.
Related tools
- HVAC Installation Cost Calculator - Price the rest of the heating and cooling job
- Tile Calculator - Order the right amount of tile for a fireplace surround
- Brick Calculator - Estimate brick for a masonry surround or hearth
- Contractor Estimate Template - Turn these numbers into a line-item bid for the client
Once your fireplace numbers are dialed in, EstimationPro turns the estimate into a proposal, sends it automatically, follows up with the homeowner, and handles invoicing and deposit collection - so you win more of the bids you already send and spend less time chasing paperwork.
How to Use This Calculator
Pick the Fireplace Type
Choose electric, gas insert, gas built-in, wood-burning insert, or wood-burning built-in. The type is the biggest cost driver - a new wood-burning fireplace with a chimney can cost five times an electric unit.
Add the Real Line Items
Toggle a new gas line, chimney or direct venting, a stone or tile surround, a dedicated electrical circuit, and old-fireplace removal. These extras are where a fireplace bid actually grows.
Set Your Region
Enter your state so the estimate adjusts for your local labor market. Fireplace labor and gas work vary a lot by region.
Review the Breakdown
See the base install and each add-on as separate low-to-high line items so you can turn the estimate into a clean bid the homeowner can read.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to install a fireplace?
Fireplace installation costs $600 to $12,000 in 2026. An electric fireplace runs $600-$2,500, a gas insert or log set $2,300-$5,500, a gas built-in $3,500-$8,000, and a new wood-burning fireplace with a chimney $5,000-$12,000. The type drives most of the price, and a gas line, venting, and surround add on top.
How much does a gas fireplace cost to install?
A gas fireplace runs $2,300-$8,000 installed. A gas insert or log set in an existing masonry fireplace is $2,300-$5,500, while a new direct-vent gas built-in framed into a wall is $3,500-$8,000. Add $300-$1,200 for a new gas line if one is not already at the fireplace.
Is an electric fireplace cheaper to install than gas?
Yes. An electric fireplace installs for $600-$2,500 because it needs no gas line, no venting, and no combustion - just a plug or a dedicated circuit. A gas or wood-burning fireplace needs a fuel source and a way to vent, which is why it costs two to five times more.
How do contractors price a fireplace installation for a client?
I price the unit and standard install as a base, then add the gas line, venting, surround, and electrical as separate line items so the homeowner sees exactly what drives the number. For a gas insert I start around $2,300-$5,500, add $300-$1,200 for a gas line, and $800-$3,500 if they want a stone surround. Then I layer in overhead and profit. Use our Contractor Estimate Template to turn those line items into a bid.
What add-ons should I include when estimating a fireplace job?
Beyond the unit, price the gas line ($300-$1,200), venting or chimney ($500-$2,500), stone or tile surround and mantel ($800-$3,500), a dedicated electrical circuit ($200-$700), and removal of the old fireplace ($200-$600). Permits and inspection are almost always required for gas and wood-burning work. If the surround is tile, our Tile Calculator helps you order the right amount.
Do I need a permit to install a fireplace?
Almost always for gas and wood-burning fireplaces. Gas work requires a licensed installer and an inspection of the line and connection, and wood-burning units need the chimney and clearances inspected. Electric units usually only need a permit if a new circuit is run. Check with your local building department - I always pull the permit rather than risk a failed inspection or an insurance problem later.
How long does it take to install a fireplace?
An electric unit goes in the same day. A gas insert into an existing fireplace takes 1 to 2 days once the gas line is set. A new gas built-in or wood-burning fireplace with framing, venting, and a surround runs 3 to 5 days. Estimating the job by hand takes me 20 to 30 minutes; from photos and a walkthrough it is a few minutes in EstimationPro.
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