How Much Does it Cost to Install a Fireplace?
The average cost to install a fire in your home will depend on the type of fire that you choose, the size of the fire, and your location in the UK. If there is any extra pipework needed, then this may result in some additional costs.
If you need extra pipework to accommodate your new fire, this may result in some additional costs.
The labour costs of installing a fire in your home are usually around £50-£100, and a typical installation will usually take around 2-3 hours to complete.
What else do you need to consider?
If you are installing a gas fire, then you will need to get someone to inspect the lines, flues, and wiring to ensure that they are all safe.
Labour costs for installing a new fire are typically higher in London than other areas of the UK.
The total cost for installing a new fire in your home will usually fall somewhere between £300-£700.
Fire Installation Prices
The table below shows the prices that you can expect for various different fire installation jobs:
| Job Description | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Install a new gas fire – fit only | £150-£300 |
| Remove gas fire and install a new wall hung flueless gas fire | £200-£400 |
| Annual gas fire service | £60-£100 |
| Remove gas fire and cap off gas pipe | £50-£100 |
| Open fire installation | £350-£600 |
| Outset living flame gas fire installation | £400-£800 |
| Glass-fronted gas fire installation | £1000-£1800 |
| Flueless gas fire installation | £650-£1500 |
| Balanced flue gas fire installation | £1000-£1600 |
| Power flue gas fire installation | £1100-£2000 |
| Electric fire installation | £400-£3000 |
- How Much Does it Cost to Install a Fireplace?
- What are the Supply Costs of a Fire Installation?
- What are the Additional Costs of Installing a Fireplace?
- Tradesperson Costs for Installing a Fire
- How Long Does It Take to Install a Fireplace?
- Types of Fire
- Benefits of Installing a Fire
- How much Does It Cost to Remove a Fire?
- FAQs
- Sources
What are the Supply Costs of a Fire Installation?
The main supply costs for a fireplace installation includes the cost of the actual fire itself. This is typically bought by the homeowner before the installation.
Below is a table showing the average costs for various types of fireplaces:
| Type of Fire | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Open front gas fire | £200-£400 |
| Outset living flame gas fire | £200-£700 |
| Glass-fronted high-efficiency gas fire | £700-£1000 |
| Flueless gas fire | £600-£1000 |
| Balanced flue gas fire | £800-£1400 |
| Power flue gas fire | £900-£2000 |
| Electric fire | £100-£2000 |
What are the Additional Costs of Installing a Fireplace?
There are several additional costs that you may need to think about when it comes to installing a new fire. Below is a list of the additional costs that may come up with this type of work:
Chimney Repair Costs
If you are planning on installing a new fire at your home, then you may need to make some repairs to your chimney during the process to ensure your new fire works appropriately and effectively.
The costs for chimney repairs will depend on the type of work that needs to be done. It will cost you around £15-£20 per metre to purchase a stainless steel flexible liner.
If you need a pumice liner, this will cost around £12-£19 per liner and a clay liner will cost around £20-£40 per liner.
A chimney flue will cost around £300-£600.
If you need new brickwork on the chimney, this will cost around £40-£100, depending on the amount of damage.
Gas Safety Certificate
If you are installing a new gas fire, then you will need to hire a professional Gas Safe engineer to complete a gas safety check. Once this check has been completed, you will be issued a Gas Safety Certificate.
The price for a Gas Safety Certificate is usually around £30-£150 depending on the contractor that you choose and your location in the UK.
Electric Safety Certificate
If you are installing a new electrical fire, then you should hire a professional electrician to look over the fire and issue an Electrical Safety Certificate.
You can expect to pay around £100-£350 for this type of work. An Electrical Safety Certificate will ensure that all of the electricals and appliances in your home are safe.
Tradesperson Costs for Installing a Fire
If you are purchasing your fire separately and then hiring a contractor to fit it for you (as you would in most cases), then you may be interested in how much it is going to cost to hire a professional for this type of work.
When hiring a professional to fit your fire for you, then you can expect to pay around £50-£200 for the work. The overall cost will depend on the type of fire that you are fitting, the size of the fire, and your location in the UK.
Those based in the London area can expect to pay more for the work than those based in the North or other parts of the UK.
How Long Does It Take to Install a Fireplace?
If you are planning on installing a new fire, then you may be interested in the timescales that are involved with this type of work.
Installing a gas fire will usually take around 2-3 hours. However, it may take longer if there is any additional pipework involved.
If you are hiring an electrician to fit an electric fire for you, this will usually take around 1-2 hours to complete but it could take longer depending on whether there is any additional wiring needed.
Types of Fire
There are several different types of fire that you can choose from and each type has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Below is a list of the different types of fire that you can get alone with their prices and a pros and cons list of each type:
Open Front Gas Fire
An open front gas fire comes with several different controls and can come in many different decorative options. This allows you to choose a fireplace that suits your home décor perfectly.
Pros
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Comes with a number of control options
Cons
- Less efficient than other gas fire options
Outset Living Flame Gas Fire
An outset living flame gas fire protrudes out of the wall and sits in the hearth. This type of fire tends to give off a lot of heat because the body of the fire will heat up and this converts heat around the room efficiently.
Pros
- Gives off a lot of heat
- Features large controls that are easy to handle
Cons
- Takes up a lot of space in the room
Glass Fronted High Efficiency Gas Fire
A glass fronted high-efficiency fire will tend to have a very good efficiency rating of around 80-90%. This type of fire uses technology to increase the energy-efficiency above the efficiency of a regular gas fire.
Pros
- Highly efficient
- Aesthetically pleasing
Cons
- May not give off as much heat as other gas fires
Flueless Gas Fire
Flueless fires are designed to suit people that don’t have a chimney in their homes. This is a clean-burning appliance that has a catalytic converter built right into it. This catalytic converter cleans the air that passes through it and also removes any harmful emissions before releasing it safely into the air.
Pros
- Doesn’t require a chimney
- Very efficient
Cons
- Relies on a catalytic converter to release safe air
Balanced Flue Gas Fire
A balanced flue fire is designed for homeowners that want all of the benefits of a gas fire but don’t have a chimney or flue built into their home. This type of fire comes with its own flue that leads directly through an external wall.
Pros
- Allows you to have a fire without a chimney
- Highly efficient
Cons
- May be difficult to install
Electric Fire
Electric fires tend to be cheaper than gas fires so if you’re on a tight budget, this may be the best option for you. They often have higher long-term running costs though as they rely on electricity rather than cheaper fuels such as gas or wood.
Pros
- Cheaper to buy upfront
- Come in a wide range of styles
- Easy to install
Cons
- Higher long-term running costs
Benefits of Installing a Fire
There are many benefits of installing a fire at your home. Below is a list of the main benefits of this type of work:
Keeps Your Home Comfortable
No matter how good your heating system may be, there may still be some draughts that flow through your home. A fire can give you some additional warmth to ensure your home stays warm and cosy through the winter months.
Energy Efficiency
If you want to warm your home efficiently, then a fire may be the best option. This can help to keep your energy bills low by providing substantial heat that won’t make a huge dent in your energy bill.
Beautiful Home Addition
Fireplaces tend to look very inviting and beautiful. When entertaining guests, they will generally gravitate towards a roaring fire, particularly in the winter months. A fireplace can make a huge statement in the main room in your home and provides a very cosy feel.
How much Does It Cost to Remove a Fire?
Removing an electrical fire can be quite easy as most electrical fires tend to only require a simple plug and then they can be moved away.
A gas fire removal is a more difficult job and can be quite dangerous if not completed correctly. This type of work should be left to a professional Gas Safety engineer to ensure the removal is safe.
The average cost to remove a gas fire is around £100-£400. The overall cost will depend on the type of fire, the difficulty of the job, and your location in the UK.
If you are completely removing your fire, then you may also need to think about removal costs. The waste removal of a fire will usually cost around £100-£600 depending on the size of the fire and how much additional waste there is such as tiles or other hearth elements.
FAQs
How do you clean a fire?
The best way to clean a fire is to keep on top of dusting the fireplace. You may also need to clean soot from the fire. To do this, you will need to allow the fire to cool down.
Then, grab a waste bin or bag and sweep out all of the soot and ash from the floor and walls of the fireplace and dispose of them. You can also spot clean areas of your fireplace with soap and water.
How do you remove a fireplace hearth?
In most cases, the hearth will have been laid after the fire surround, so you should begin by removing this first. Use a bolster chisel and club hammer to break the bond and lever it out of place. The hearth should break away in one piece and you will be able to drag it away.
How much does it cost to run a real flame gas fire?
A real flame gas fire will usually cost around 5p per KW to run. This can differ depending on the type of gas fire that you choose.
Do I need a fire guard for an open gas fire?
If you have a child or a pet then it is recommended that you use a fire guard for the safety and protection of your loved ones.
What are gas fire coals made from?
Gas fire coals are usually made from carbon and have changing quantities of elements such as sulphur, hydrogen and oxygen of coals. You can also purchase artificial coals for your gas fire and these tend to be made up of ceramic fibre strand materials.
Sources
- https://www.direct-fireplaces.com/resources/how-much-does-it-cost-to-put-in-a-fireplace
- https://verticalchimney.com/blog/fireplace-benefits
- https://www.merrymaids.com/cleaning-tips/diy/how-to-clean-a-fireplace
- https://www.diy-extra.co.uk/removing-a-fireplace.html
