Brick Fireplace Costs

Installing a brick fireplace has a variety of cost factors involved. Your total project cost will vary depending on where you live, the materials that are used, and how complex or difficult the installation actually ends up being. You can choose to have custom-built fireplaces installed or buy a prefabricated brick fireplace. Installing a new chimney will also add to the cost of the project if required.

A brick fireplace can have multiple fuel sources, including gas. If you choose to install a gas log kit or ignition rather than going with a wood-burning option factor that into your budget as well. Because there are so many variables, it is hard to estimate the total cost of installing a fireplace on an average basis.

Brick fireplace installation: 30” width fireplace to heat a 250 sq.ft. room.

Other considerations and costs

• Prefabricated fireplaces are generally less expensive than custom-built brick fireplaces. If you want to cut your project costs, consider having a pre-built model installed. Many of them look just like masonry done on-site without the expense.
• The location of a fireplace will affect installation costs. Outdoor fireplaces are often more expensive because durable materials are required. Indoor fireplaces that are on a central wall, as opposed to an exterior wall, will be more expensive to install or replace, as well.
• If you need to remove an existing brick or masonry fireplace, you will need to add demolition and removal labor to your project costs.
• Installing a fireplace in new construction is cheaper than retrofitting, so if you are building a home and think you may want a fireplace in the future, it may be cheaper to do it now.

DIY considerations

• Masonry’s work, even when using a prefabricated fireplace, needs to be completed by an experienced professional. Brick fireplace installation is not a DIY project.
• If you are trying to save money on the project, consider doing your own demo work (if you’re replacing an existing fireplace). This could save you at least a couple hundred dollars in labor costs.

References

• Craftsman Estimator Costbook, complete series year 2019.
• Latest prices found on Home Depot and other vendor Web sites.
• Literature review of DIY Web sites.