How Much Does It Cost to Install a Gas Fireplace?

Average Cost to Install a Gas Fireplace 

Estimating Gas Fire Installation Costs

Installing a gas fireplace is a potentially complex job with many different components. The cost is pretty evenly split between materials and labor, but you also need to account for permitting fees and the cost of any unforeseen issues. Here's the cost breakdown for gas fireplace installation.

Materials 

Materials alone cost $600 to $3,400, with most people paying around $2,000. However, you could pay more for a particularly large or fancy fireplace or if the installation is a big one that requires additional supplies. 

And remember, if you need to add a chimney or vent, you'll be looking at additional material costs. 

Labor

Labor for gas fireplace installation typically costs from $200 to $5,000. The price varies so much based on the complexity of the job. Installing a simple prefab gas fireplace in a well-prepared area that needs no remedial work could cost as little as $200. However, if the installation is larger, needs new liners, modifications, a custom surround, new gas or propane lines, or any remedial work or new construction, you could pay $5,000 or more. 

If a new vent or chimney is required, or the existing chimney needs remedial work, you'll need to allow an additional $400 to $6,000 in labor fees.

Permits

Permit fees vary from $100 to $400, depending on the number and type of permits you'll need. While not every state requires permits for fireplace installation, many do, particularly if they involve new or extended gas lines, a ventless system, or the installation of a new vent or chimney. Check with your city building control office and your local fireplace installer.

Overage

In an ideal world, every home improvement project goes off without a hitch. The reality is that you never know what your contractors might find during the job. So it's always a good idea to leave some room in your budget for those unforeseen challenges that might pop up. When planning your budget, keep 10 to 15% of the project estimate as an emergency fund for unplanned costs.

Prefab vs. Custom Fireplace Installation Costs

Prefabricated gas fireplaces cost from $2,000 to $6.000 including parts and labor. Custom gas fireplaces cost between $4,000 and $8,000. Gas fireplaces are self-contained units and can be placed inside an existing fireplace or another suitable cavity. This is the most common option with prefabricated units and it's the most cost-effective. 

However, if you want a larger or custom fireplace that looks like it's built-in or is an integral part of your home, you'll pay more. For example, if you have a fireplace built into a feature wall that also houses your entertainment system, you'll pay more in both labor and materials because the job is much bigger than simply fitting a ready-to-go unit inside an existing fireplace cavity. 

You may also incur the extra expenses of running gas lines or adding a vent, which further increases the project total.

Cost to Install a Gas Fireplace by Type

Prices for gas fireplaces range from $60 to $12,500, including installation. A simple tabletop unit can cost as little as $60 while a custom island or peninsula can run you as much as $12,500. Take a look at the most common gas fireplace types and their typical prices.

Tabletop Gas Fireplace

Tabletop gas fireplaces cost an average of $230, installed. These prefabricated units are most often used outside on a patio in place of a firepit. They're popular because they provide gentle heat and a little ambient lighting without smoke. Plus, they only require a small branch line for gas, which costs much less to install than a full-size line. 

Tabletop fireplaces are commonly installed in the center of a large outdoor table so that the table can still function as a table, but they can also be installed on smaller tables, on pillars, and even on top of a brick retaining wall.

Gas Log Fireplace

A gas log fireplace typically costs $800 to install. Wood-look ceramic logs sit on top of a burner, either vented or unvented, that heats the logs. The logs then radiate the heat into the room. Some also have flames, a steam option to simulate smoke, and backlighting to mimic the glow of a real fire. For most of these fireplaces, you can have them set to heat or simply simulate the look of a roaring fire. 

Freestanding Gas Fireplace

Freestanding gas fireplaces generally cost around $1,700, all-in. They don't require custom construction, and they don't need to be set in an existing cavity. They can stand anywhere in your home and don't even need to sit against a wall. 

While they can come in any size, shape, and style, the most common units look like traditional wood-burning stoves or pot-bellied stoves. You will, of course, still need to connect a gas line, and you may want to set the stove into a surround, although many freestanding units come with the surround attached.

Gas Fireplace Insert

For a gas fireplace insert, expect to pay roughly $2,600, including all materials and labor. A fireplace insert sits inside an existing fireplace and is the most likely option if you're updating an old gas fireplace for a newer model. Plus, if you've got a wood-burning stove and you want to upgrade to a gas model, you can convert your existing fireplace by having the wood stove removed and the gas insert fitted with minimal disruption and remedial work. 

A good-quality insert is more efficient than a log unit and costs less to install than a built-in model.

Wall-Mounted Gas Fireplace

A wall-mounted gas fireplace costs an average of $3,100 to install. These units tend to be ultra-modern and can be set into the wall or sit on the wall with little or no framing, although you can add a surround if you wish. Wall-mounted fireplaces are a good space-saving option when floor space is at a premium. 

Built-In Gas Fireplace

Built-in gas fireplaces cost an average of $6,200. Prefabricated models cost between $3,300 and $5,300 while custom installations range from $5,500 to $9,200. Similar to an insert, built-in fireplaces don't require an existing fireplace. Instead, you have the fireplace built as part of the project, which accounts for the higher price tag. In general, built-in models have a higher BTU and better efficiency than many other types of fireplaces. 

Corner Gas Fireplace

For a corner gas fireplace, expect to pay around $6,400. A prefab unit costs between $1,900 and $4,400, installed, while a custom unit will run you between $2,700 and $10,900. Corner units are a good choice in compact rooms or where there simply isn't much available wall or floor space. Corners are often wasted space, even in small rooms, so you can make the most of that space by filling it with a gas fireplace. 

Corner fireplaces don't require existing cavities, but you'll still need to run a gas line and, for a vented model, a suitable vent is also necessary.

Island Gas Fireplace

Island gas fireplaces typically cost $7,600. Prefab units start at $2,700 and go up to around $5,800. Custom island gas fireplaces cost between $6,900 and $12,500, installed. 

The price range is so large because there's so much difference in size and endless customization options. These are four-sided fireplaces and are often used within a feature wall or column to bring cohesiveness to a large space or to connect two divided rooms. 

Peninsula Gas Fireplace

A peninsula gas fireplace costs an average of $8,300, installed. For a prefabricated unit, you can expect to pay between $4,700 and $6,800. If you want a custom peninsula gas fireplace, it'll cost between $7,000 and $12,000. 

Homeowners use these fireplaces to divide a room or to provide a fireplace to two already divided rooms without having to install two units. They're often built into a feature wall that may also house an entertainment system.

Price of Gas Fireplace Installation by Vent Type

A ventless fireplace costs between $800 and $2,600. Direct-vent fireplaces cost $1,700 to $12,500. 

Ventless Gas Fireplace

A ventless fireplace does not require a chimney or vent system. In these systems, the fireplace draws in air from indoors, heats it, and releases it back into the room. As such, some exhaust also makes it back into the room, because there's no direct vent for it to escape through. 

That's why these fireplaces, while more affordable, are controversial and they're heavily regulated in most states and are even banned in some areas, so it's crucial that you check the regulations in your locale.

Direct Vent Fireplace

A direct-vent fireplace has a vent to expel exhaust outside. A secondary inlet draws air from outside into the firebox where it's heated and pushed into the room while the potentially harmful exhaust by-products are sent out through the vent. There are multiple vent configurations available, including through a side wall or through the roof. 

Direct vent fireplaces are more efficient than those with a chimney and there are fewer risks than with a ventless fireplace. If an existing vent system is in place, installation is more affordable, but having to add a new vent configuration is costly.

Cost to Install an Outdoor Gas Fireplace

Outdoor gas fireplaces cost an average of $1,000 to $8,000 to install. You'll also need to pay for running a gas line, which costs $15 to $25 per linear foot.

An outdoor gas fireplace is safer and, if using propane, more environmentally friendly than having a fire pit. There's no ash or soot to clean up, no flying embers to worry about, and no risk of accidentally starting a wildfire. Having an outdoor fireplace of this type elevates your outdoor living space and lets you relax and entertain in style.

Factors That Influence the Cost of Gas Fireplace Installation

There are many different factors that impact how much your gas fireplace will cost, from the type of surround you choose to adding a chimney. How energy-efficient the unit is and whether you can get any tax credits also play a part in how much your project costs.

Cost of Installing a Fireplace Surround by Material

If you need a new surround for your fireplace, the material you choose has a huge influence on the project price. Metal surrounds start at $30 per square foot, installed, while marble can run you up to $160 per square foot.

Cost to Run a Gas Fireplace

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the typical household heating costs for the winter months (October through March) during 2020 and 2021 for natural gas were just over $500, while the costs for the same period for propane were around $1200. 

Ongoing Maintenance Costs

Gas fireplace repair typically costs $170 to $820. Small repairs can cost as little as $90 but more extensive work can run you $2,000 or more. 

While gas fireplaces typically require less maintenance and are less prone to problems than wood and electric fireplaces, you still need to be aware of the potential repair costs. You can reduce the cost of maintenance and repair by keeping the fireplace in good condition and getting regular inspections.

Gas Fireplace Inspection Costs

Annual gas fireplace inspections cost between $85 and $250. Technicians perform a number of checks including examining the firebox and venting system, the dampers, and the state of the chimney. Having a yearly inspection lets you identify and correct any potential problems before they become major costly and potentially dangerous issues.

Adding Chimneys or Vents

A new chimney costs up to $11,000, or $65 to $350 per linear foot. A direct vent, particularly if it's a simple side-vent with the fireplace sitting on an external wall, will be included in the price of the fireplace installation. However, in some cases, the vent system is priced separately and can cost an additional $500 to $1,500. 

Mantel Shelf

Adding a simple, functional mantel shelf costs an average of $200 to $3,000. This extensive range is based on the material, the size, whether it's a single shelf or a floor-to-ceiling installation, as well as the intricacy of the design and the type of craftsperson needed

Fireplace Door

Fireplace doors cost between $200 and $2,000. At their simplest and most affordable, these are metal doors that stop hot air from escaping through the chimney or vents when the fireplace is not in use. You can also get decorative glass-paned doors that serve the same purpose but are more aesthetically pleasing. If you have a chimney, fireplace doors also help to contain any birds or animals that might fall down the chimney into the fireplace so that they can be removed safely by a wildlife specialist. 

Fireplace Blower

Fireplace blowers cost $30 to $1,500 depending on their efficiency, size, and performance. If your fireplace does not' distribute heat effectively or evenly, adding a blower increases performance, reduces running costs, and boosts energy efficiency by facilitating better heat distribution. 

Energy Efficiency

Direct-vent fireplaces convert up to 80% of the fuel into heat. Ventless models manage a conversion of 90%. The higher the energy efficiency of the fireplace, the more it'll cost you initially, but the less it costs to run. Plus, the better the energy efficiency, the lower your home's carbon footprint. 

Tax Credits

The US federal government provides tax credits that offset the cost of a new gas fireplace installation by 30%. However, they must meet specific energy efficiency standards and the purchase must come through a certified state retailer. 

Making use of this incentive and filing the appropriate form with your year-end taxes is a great way to reduce the cost of your fireplace installation and may make it worthwhile to spend extra for a more efficient model.

FAQs About Installing a Gas Fireplace

Does a gas fireplace need to be cleaned?

Yes, you should clean your fireplace every year. Hire a local chimney cleaner or have it done as part of your annual fireplace inspection. 

Can you install a fireplace without a chimney?

Yes, you can install a  fireplace without a chimney. Ventless fireplaces are considered safe under strict regulations in some areas. Gasless, ventless, gel-powered fireplaces are the safest option, as there are no emissions. However, check with your local office, as ventless fireplaces are banned in some states.

​​Can you install a gas fireplace on an interior wall?

Yes, you can install a gas fireplace on an interior wall under some circumstances. In a suitably sized area, you can install a ventless fireplace. If you're doing a floor-to-ceiling installation, you could also install a direct-vent fireplace, with the vent system running up through the ceiling and under the floor above to an exterior wall, but this would be a costly installation, with a lot of construction work necessary.