How Much Does a Brick Fireplace Cost?

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You don't have to live in an area that regularly experiences cold weather to enjoy the comforts of a brick fireplace. Even in southern climates, a brick fireplace can provide a room with ambience, serve as the focal point for gatherings, and take the chill out of the air as needed. And for those homeowners in more Northern states who are accustomed to low temperatures, brick fireplaces really show their worth as the mercury beings to plunge.

With many brick fireplace designs and installation options to choose from, it's important to have a good idea of the basics before you start negotiating with contractors. This buying guide explains what you need to know about brick fireplace construction, including the cost to install a brick fireplace.

Brick Fireplace Considerations #

When building a brick fireplace, keep the following points in mind to ensure that the project meets both your aesthetic and budget goals.

• Custom Built vs. Prefabricated: A custom built brick hearth will be specially designed and built, brick by brick, for your home by a masonry contractor. This can take a week or two and, as you might imagine, the cost reflects the labor-intensive process. A prefabricated fireplace, on the other hand, is much cheaper to install, but you may not end up with the picture-perfect results of a customized hearth.
• Gas vs. Wood Burning: The look and smell of a real burning fire are, to some homeowners, the only way to go. Others, however, prefer gas logs which eliminate the mess and hassle of combustion byproducts and, in recent years, have become more realistic looking.
• Fireplace Location: Living room fireplaces are common, but you may also be considering a bedroom or outdoor fireplace. A fireplace in the master bedroom provides a romantic, luxurious touch, while an outdoor brick fireplace can serve as the centerpiece of your patio and even replace an outdoor heater and grill.
• Chimney Installation: Depending on the location of the fireplace, it may be necessary to install a new chimney or link the new fireplace to an existing chimney. Masonry chimneys, those made from brick and mortar, are probably what come to mind when you hear the word "chimney," although metal chimneys (aka "fake chimneys" or engineered chimneys) are more economical.

Brick Fireplace Average Costs #

The actual cost of a brick fireplace may vary depending on your location, the materials used, products selected, and the complexity of the installation.

• The average fireplace installation cost is $2,500 to $5,000, although an authentic brick fireplace constructed by a mason could cost up to $10,000 or more.
• Installing a prefabricated brick fireplace costs $2,000 to $3,000.
• A mason-built brick fireplace costs $3,500 to $5,000.
• If installing a gas burning fireplace, plan on spending $750 to $1,000 for a gas log kit.
• The addition of a new chimney might cost $60 to $100 per linear foot for an engineered chimney and $100 to $200 per linear foot for a masonry chimney. For a 10' chimney, that's an average cost of $600 to $1,000 and $1,000 to $2,000, respectively.
• Whichever type of chimney you have, plan on spending $150 to $300 per year for cleaning and inspection.

Use Our Free Service and Find Brick Fireplace Companies Near You #