Are wood / gas fireplaces code-regulated?

Yes. New wood-burning fireplaces must be EPA-certified (2.0 g/hr particulate). Gas units must be direct-vent (sealed combustion). Permit and inspection are required in nearly every jurisdiction. Carbon monoxide alarms within 10 ft of the bedroom are mandatory.

Fireplace Installation Cost (2026) | Gas, Wood, Electric, Pellet

Q: How much does a fireplace cost in 2026?

Gas insert (existing masonry): $3,500-$8,500. Gas zero-clearance new install with chase + surround: $6,000-$14,000. Wood-burning insert (EPA-certified): $4,000-$9,000. Electric plug-in: $700-$3,000. Pellet stove install: $3,000-$6,500. Add gas-line run $400-$1,500.

Q: Gas vs wood vs electric?

Electric ($700-$3k) = cheapest, easiest, no vent, but visual-only heat. Gas ($3.5k-$14k) = clean, instant on/off, requires vent + gas line + permit. Wood ($4k-$10k) = traditional ambiance + real heat, EPA-certified models only by 2026 code, need annual chimney sweep + Class-A liner.

Enter your fireplace project

Pro installed DIY (electric)

Includes labor, equipment, permit, and contractor markup. Gas / wood fireplaces are pro-only.

Common projects

Unit & venting

Fireplace type

Vent / chimney length (lf)

Direct-vent (gas) or Class-A (wood) chimney pipe.

Gas line run (lf)

Black-iron gas line from existing main.

Frame chase (zero-clearance)

State

ZIP / planning zone (optional)

Uses the first 3 digits as a planning zone (not exact local pricing). Overrides state average when matched.

Surround, mantel & add-ons

Surround sq ft (stone / tile)

Mantel shelf

Electrical (blower + ignition)

Tear out old fireplace

Permit

Your fireplace estimate

Estimated installed range

Calculating…

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Materials

Labor

Per project

Cost breakdown

Item	Quantity	Estimated range

Planning estimate, not a bid. 2026 ranges informed by Heatilator / Heat & Glo / Empire / Lopi MSRP, HomeGuide, HomeAdvisor, Homewyse, and BLS regional wage data.

What's not included: structural framing changes, hearth pad construction (separate mason scope), TV-niche cutout above mantel, smart-home automation, full chimney rebuild (separate calc).

Bid check

Got a contractor quote? Compare it to the planning range.

Quote ($)

Quote includes

Quote

Range check

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Scope risk

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Add a quote amount to compare it against the current estimate.

Methodology & sources

What this is: a planning-range fireplace calculator informed by Heatilator / Heat & Glo / Empire / Lopi manufacturer pricing, HomeGuide, HomeAdvisor, Homewyse, and licensed cost-estimating references.

Labor is modeled from per-unit installed rates with a crew-rate sanity check ($80-$160/crew-hr loaded billing rate), informed by BLS OEWS 47-2031 (Carpenters) and 47-2152 (Plumbers / Pipefitters).

Last updated: May 2026. Full methodology →

How much does a fireplace cost in 2026?

Type	Range	Timeline
Electric plug-in (mantel-mount)	$700-$3,000	Same day DIY
Gas insert (existing masonry)	$3,500-$8,500	1-2 days
Gas zero-clearance new install	$6,000-$14,000	3-5 days
Wood-burning insert (EPA)	$4,000-$9,000	1-2 days
Wood-burning zero-clearance new	$5,500-$12,000	3-5 days
Pellet stove (free-standing)	$3,000-$6,500	1-2 days

Frequently asked questions

How much does a fireplace cost?

$700-$14k installed. Electric $700-$3k. Gas $3.5-$14k. Wood $4-$12k. Pellet $3-$6.5k.

Gas vs wood vs electric?

Electric = cheapest, no vent, visual heat. Gas = clean, instant on/off, vent + gas line. Wood = traditional, real heat, EPA-cert + Class-A liner.

Code requirements?

Wood = EPA-certified. Gas = direct-vent. Permit + inspection in nearly every jurisdiction. CO alarms within 10 ft of bedrooms.

Best for resale?

Gas direct-vent and modern wood inserts add the most resale appeal. Electric and pellet stoves are room features, not whole-house value-adds.

Can I DIY?

Electric plug-in only. Gas and wood are pro work for code, safety, and warranty.

Common mistakes & questions

Wrong vent length / termination — manufacturer specs are exact; longer runs need power vent.
Gas line undersized — modern high-BTU units need 1/2" or 3/4" line.
Combustible clearances ignored — frame chase to manufacturer spec, not by eye.
No CO alarm — required by code in most states.
EPA-uncertified wood unit — illegal to sell as new since 2020; only legal as a swap-in for an existing unit.
Skip the chimney sweep when adding a wood insert — must clean first.
Ask your contractor: NFI / NFI-certified installer, manufacturer warranty, vent termination location, gas-line size, permit + inspection.

When this estimate is wrong

Long vent runs (over 30 ft) require power-vent kits, +$500-$1,500.
No existing gas service — adding gas to the house is a separate scope ($3-$10k).
HOA / historic review for masonry chimney additions.
Hearth pad construction (raised stone hearth) — extra $1-$3k.
TV-above-mantel — surround + mantel must accept heat shielding for combustibles.
Mountain / high-altitude — derated BTU output may require larger unit.