Highlights
It typically costs between $600 and $2,500 to remove a gas fireplace.
Completely demolishing your fireplace and chimney would cost $4,000 to $10,000.
Reasons to remove a gas fireplace include redecorating or conversion to wood-burning.
You can simply turn off the gas source to your fireplace if you don’t want to remove the entire thing.
There are a lot of reasons you might want to remove your gas fireplace. Perhaps you want to open up the floor plan of your living room, or you’re simply tired of all the maintenance involved. Before you call someone to start knocking down your mantle, read our guide to get an idea of how much this project will cost.
On average, the cost to remove a gas fireplace is between $600 and $2,500, though the price will be higher if you want to remove the breast, stack, and chimney flue as well.
Gas Fireplace Removal Cost Factors
Extent of Removal
There are many components and parts to a fireplace, and how much of it you want removed will dictate the final cost.
Fireplace Only
If you simply want to remove your fireplace and are leaving the breast, stack, and chimney flue alone, the cost will likely be between $600 and $2,500. Before the demo begins, you should hire a plumber with a gas fitters license to turn off and disassemble your gas line.
Full Demolition
Complete demolition of your fireplace and its chimney will set you back $4,000 to $10,000. With a full demolition, there’s simply more work—and more cleanup. In addition, you’ll likely need to reconstruct some walls, floors, and ceilings. Because this project could affect the structure of your home, contact a local structural engineer for advice.
Breast/Below Roof
The breast is the area that protrudes from the wall, where the fireplace lives. It’s probable that you want this section removed as well, as a lot of people decide to remove a fireplace to create more floor space in their homes. If you’d like to remove the breast, expect to pay between $1,500 and $2,500. If you need the room refinished after, which might entail new wall installation or hanging drywall, you’ll pay an additional $2,000 to $3,000.
Location
If you are looking to do a complete demolition of both fireplace and chimney, and the chimney is on a load-bearing wall, you will need to hire a structural engineer to assess the impact the demolition will do to your home. The overall costs will likely be much higher than the average (likely starting at $10,000) and will take much longer to finish.
Material
Fireplaces and chimneys made of brick cost more to remove than those made of metal because the material is heavier and harder to work with and to dispose of.
Damage
As your project begins, you may discover there is damage or hazardous material in your walls that will require additional money to remove or fix. For instance, if your contractor finds asbestos (commonly used in the construction of fireplaces built before the 1980s), expect to pay $200 to $700 for its removal. You might also need to replace brackets or other reinforcing elements.
Local Regulations
Depending on your zoning, you may need special permits or permission to remove your fireplace (or other components of your home). A local engineer will help you understand the local regulations and building codes, and your contractor should have knowledge about permits (and whether or not they are included in the fee for the work).
Alternatives to Removing a Gas Fireplace
There are some options you can consider instead of totally removing your gas fireplace. Here’s a look at some alternatives:
Convert It to Wood
You can convert a gas fireplace to a wood-burning fireplace for $150 to $300. For this job, it’s best to hire a fireplace contractor who knows how to do it safely. Converting a gas fireplace to a wood-burning one is easier and less expensive than the reverse. Your contractor can convert it by removing the gas logs or inserts and capping the gas line.
Shut Off the Gas Line
If you don’t want to convert your gas fireplace to wood, you can simply cap the gas line. This simple task costs between $74 and $150, and basically means that you’ve turned off the fireplace’s gas source.
How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Gas Fireplace Yourself?
Even if you’re an avid DIYer, you shouldn’t remove a gas fireplace on your own. There are many details in the project that require a professional’s eye and opinion, and the removal could impact the structural integrity of your home. At the very minimum, you’ll need to hire a local plumber with a gas fitters license and a structural engineer near you, in addition to the local contractor who will do the removal.
FAQs
Is it true that removing a fireplace will lower my home’s value?
Removing your fireplace can lower your home’s overall value, but probably only slightly (around $1,000 to $5,000, on average). When deciding whether or not to remove your fireplace, weigh the benefits of removing your fireplace (less maintenance, more floor space) against the potential loss of value.
How long will the demolition take?
The project could take anywhere from one to five days, depending on the amount of material being removed, any refinishing that needs to be done, and the materials.
