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A fireplace adds warmth, ambiance, and resale appeal — and the cost swings widely by type. Installation runs $1,000 to $10,000 in 2026, with a new gas fireplace averaging around $3,700, an electric unit far less, and a built-from-scratch masonry fireplace far more.
What you’re paying for
Beyond the unit itself, the cost is driven by venting, any gas-line work, and the surround and mantel. An electric fireplace needs none of that — it plugs in. A gas fireplace needs a vent and usually a gas line. A masonry wood fireplace is essentially a small construction project with a chimney.
Cost by type
The fuel type and whether you’re building new or inserting into an existing fireplace set the price. The table below shows typical installed costs.
The easiest upgrade: a gas insert
If you have an old, inefficient wood-burning fireplace, the most cost-effective upgrade is a gas insert ($2,000–$5,000) — a sealed unit that drops into the existing firebox, vastly improving efficiency and convenience. Cheaper still are gas logs ($300–$2,000) for ambiance without the efficiency gains.
Electric vs. gas vs. wood
Electric is cheapest, ventless, and installs anywhere with an outlet — best for ambiance and supplemental heat. Gas delivers real flame, strong heat, and convenience at a mid-range price. Wood offers the classic experience but costs the most to build and requires ongoing chimney maintenance.
How to save on a fireplace
- Choose electric for the lowest cost and easiest install.
- Use an insert to upgrade an existing fireplace cheaply.
- Keep the surround simple — custom stone and mantels add up.
- Bundle gas-line work with other gas projects if possible.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fireplace unit / firebox | $200 – $6,000 | – |
| Installation labor | $500 – $3,000 | – |
| Venting / chimney | $500 – $3,000 | – |
| Gas line (for gas units) | $300 – $2,000 | – |
| Surround & mantel | $300 – $3,000 | – |
| Option | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electric fireplace | $200 – $3,000 | No venting; plug-in |
| Gas insert (existing fireplace) | $2,000 – $5,000 | – |
| Gas fireplace (new) | $2,300 – $10,000 | – |
| Wood-burning (prefab) | $1,900 – $5,000 | – |
| Masonry wood (from scratch) | $7,000 – $30,000 | – |
| Wood-to-gas conversion (logs) | $300 – $2,000 | – |
What affects the price
- Fuel type Electric is cheapest and needs no venting; gas needs a line and vent; masonry wood is a full build.
- New vs. insert Dropping an insert into an existing fireplace is far cheaper than building a new one.
- Venting Direct-vent, B-vent, or a full chimney each carry different costs.
- Surround & mantel Tile, stone, or custom mantels add finishing cost.
- Gas line Running a new gas line to the fireplace adds $300–$2,000.
Fireplace installation cost by state
Where you live can change the price as much as the options you pick. Labor is a big part of the bill, and construction workers are paid more in some states than others. A typical fireplace installation job costs about $1,200 to $11,700 in Hawaii (17% above the U.S. average). In Arkansas, it costs about $850 to $8,500 (15% below the U.S. average).
See the typical cost in all 50 states and D.C.
| State | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $870 – $8,700 |
| Alaska | $1,200 – $11,500 |
| Arizona | $950 – $9,500 |
| Arkansas | $850 – $8,500 |
| California | $1,100 – $11,200 |
| Colorado | $1,000 – $10,000 |
| Connecticut | $1,100 – $10,700 |
| Delaware | $980 – $9,800 |
| District of Columbia | $1,100 – $10,800 |
| Florida | $910 – $9,100 |
| Georgia | $920 – $9,200 |
| Hawaii | $1,200 – $11,700 |
| Idaho | $940 – $9,400 |
| Illinois | $1,200 – $11,500 |
| Indiana | $1,000 – $10,100 |
| Iowa | $970 – $9,700 |
| Kansas | $950 – $9,500 |
| Kentucky | $930 – $9,300 |
| Louisiana | $900 – $9,000 |
| Maine | $980 – $9,800 |
| Maryland | $1,000 – $10,000 |
| Massachusetts | $1,200 – $11,500 |
| Michigan | $1,000 – $10,000 |
| Minnesota | $1,100 – $10,900 |
| Mississippi | $870 – $8,700 |
| Missouri | $1,000 – $10,200 |
| Montana | $980 – $9,800 |
| Nebraska | $940 – $9,400 |
| Nevada | $1,000 – $10,300 |
| New Hampshire | $990 – $9,900 |
| New Jersey | $1,100 – $11,400 |
| New Mexico | $920 – $9,200 |
| New York | $1,100 – $11,000 |
| North Carolina | $900 – $9,000 |
| North Dakota | $1,000 – $10,100 |
| Ohio | $1,000 – $10,000 |
| Oklahoma | $910 – $9,100 |
| Oregon | $1,100 – $11,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,000 – $10,100 |
| Rhode Island | $1,000 – $10,400 |
| South Carolina | $910 – $9,100 |
| South Dakota | $900 – $9,000 |
| Tennessee | $920 – $9,200 |
| Texas | $910 – $9,100 |
| Utah | $940 – $9,400 |
| Vermont | $970 – $9,700 |
| Virginia | $950 – $9,500 |
| Washington | $1,200 – $11,600 |
| West Virginia | $950 – $9,500 |
| Wisconsin | $1,000 – $10,400 |
| Wyoming | $990 – $9,900 |
These are numbers to plan with, not quotes. Each one is this guide's U.S. range, adjusted for what construction workers earn in that state. See every state cost guide or how we estimate.
Common questions
- How much does it cost to install a gas fireplace?
- A new gas fireplace runs $2,300–$10,000 installed (average about $3,700), depending on venting and finishes. A gas insert for an existing fireplace is $2,000–$5,000.
- Which type of fireplace is cheapest?
- Electric fireplaces are cheapest ($200–$3,000) — they plug in and need no venting. Gas is mid-range; a built-from-scratch masonry wood fireplace is the most expensive.
- Can I convert my wood fireplace to gas?
- Yes — gas logs in an existing wood fireplace cost $300–$2,000, while a sealed gas insert (more efficient) runs $2,000–$5,000.
- Does a fireplace add home value?
- Fireplaces are a desirable feature that can help a home sell, especially in colder climates. Gas and electric are easiest for buyers; the return varies by market.
- What drives gas fireplace cost up?
- Venting type, running a new gas line, and the surround/mantel finish are the biggest variables beyond the unit itself.
- Are electric fireplaces worth it?
- They're the cheapest, easiest, and most flexible (no venting, install anywhere with an outlet) — great for ambiance and supplemental heat, though they don't match a real flame.
How we estimate: These are typical U.S. prices for materials and for hiring a pro to install them. We checked them against the 2026 sources listed below (see how we get our numbers). Your price depends on where you live, the size of the job and the materials you pick. Get two or three written bids before you choose a contractor.
Sources
We checked the prices on this page against 2026 numbers from these sources: