Fireplace installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What fireplace installation is

Fireplace installation sets a new wood-burning fireplace or insert, including its framing, firebox, chimney or venting, hearth and clearances to combustible materials. It is finished with a surround so the fireplace meets the manufacturer's listing and burns safely.

Signs you need it

  • You want a fireplace in a room that never had one, or you are renovating a room around an existing chimney.
  • An old fireplace is cracked, smokes into the room or cannot be used safely, and you want it rebuilt.
  • You want to convert a fireplace to an insert that burns more efficiently.
  • The existing chimney is in poor shape, which means it must be relined or replaced before the fireplace is used.
  • You are adding a hearth to meet the required spacing and surface for the fireplace or insert.
  • The fireplace is too close to walls, ceilings or framing, and needs to be moved or the clearances corrected.

What the pro does

  • Check the chimney or the venting route, the wall framing and the clearances from the firebox to combustible materials.
  • Set the firebox or insert according to the manufacturer's listing, with the correct clearances for the model.
  • Install the chimney or flue liner with the correct connection and the cap at the top
  • Build or install the hearth, with the correct material and extension in front of the firebox.
  • Finish the surround, mantel and trim with materials that stay clear of the firebox heat.
  • Test the draft and the smoke path, and check the damper and the cleanout before handing it over.

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Fireplace type, such as a masonry firebox, a prefabricated firebox or an insert, which need different work.
  • Chimney condition and whether a new liner or a full chimney rebuild is needed.
  • Framing and wall work needed to meet the clearances to combustible materials.
  • Hearth material and size, which change the labor and the materials cost.
  • Surround and mantel finish, from simple trim to stone or built-in cabinetry.
  • Venting route, such as an existing masonry chimney, a new prefabricated chimney through the roof, or a new liner in an old flue
  • Access to the room and the roof, especially for a chimney that must be built or relined from outside.

What a written quote should spell out

  • The fireplace or insert model and its manufacturer listing.
  • The clearance dimensions to combustible materials on each side.
  • Chimney or venting materials, the liner type and the cap or termination.
  • Hearth material, size and extension.
  • The surround and trim materials, listed by item.
  • Start-up test results for the draft and the smoke path, and warranty terms.

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Which fireplace or insert model are you installing, and is it listed for the venting you plan?
  • What clearances do you use to the walls, ceiling and framing, and how do you measure them?
  • Will the chimney need a new liner, and what material will it be?
  • What hearth material are you using, and how far does it extend?
  • Will you test the draft and the smoke path before you hand it over?
  • Who pulls the permit, and will the install be inspected?
  • What does the warranty cover on the firebox, the liner and the finish?

Red flags

  • The pro installs an unlisted firebox or uses parts that are not made for the model.
  • The pro reduces the clearances to combustible materials to fit the room.
  • The pro cannot explain the chimney or venting route, or the liner size.
  • The pro skips the draft test and the hearth extension.

What you can do yourself

You can clear the room, move furniture and mark the planned fireplace location, and you can keep records of any previous fireplace work. Keep combustibles away from the planned firebox until the install is finished. Framing, the firebox, the chimney, the venting and the hearth belong to a licensed contractor.

Licenses and permits

Fireplace installation is commonly done by licensed contractors, and it often requires a permit and an inspection for the chimney and the venting. Check with your state or local licensing agency for the rules that apply to your installation.

Fireplace installation questions

Can I put a fireplace anywhere in the room?

Not without checking the clearances. The firebox needs set distances from combustible materials, and the chimney needs a route that clears the roof and the framing. A technician checks both before the install.

Do I need a new chimney liner?

Often yes if the chimney was not built for the appliance you are installing, or if the liner is cracked or sized wrong. The liner decides how safely the smoke leaves the house.

Why does smoke come into the room?

A blocked chimney, a flue that is too small, a damper left closed or a poor draft can push smoke into the room. A technician tests the draft before the fireplace is used.

Can I use an existing hearth?

Only if it meets the manufacturer's listing for size and material. Many older hearths are too short or too thin, and need extending.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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