A new fireplace runs $2,500 to $12,000 installed in 2026 — and the type you pick swings that range harder than anything else on the invoice. An electric insert can land near the bottom at $2,500, a mid-range gas unit sits around $5,500 to $8,000, and a full masonry wood-burning fireplace with a new chimney can blow past $12,000 before you've bought a single log.
That's a 5x spread on the same line item. Here's exactly what pushes you toward one end or the other.
The Fuel Type Sets the Floor and the Ceiling
Electric is the cheapest because it's basically an appliance — you plug it in, maybe add a dedicated circuit ($300–$800), and skip venting entirely. Total jobs often land $2,500 to $4,500.
Gas is the middle. A direct-vent gas fireplace costs $3,500 to $6,000 for the unit, plus $1,500 to $3,000 to run a gas line and punch venting through a wall or roof. No gas line already at the wall? Add $500 to $2,000 depending on how far the plumber has to run it.
Wood-burning is the ceiling. A prefab (zero-clearance) firebox with a metal chimney runs $5,000 to $9,000 installed. A true site-built masonry fireplace with a brick chimney is $8,000 to $12,000+ — because you're paying a mason, not just a installer, and the labor is measured in days, not hours.
The unit price is the part homeowners fixate on. The venting and the chimney are what actually decide your final number.— Fireplace installer, 14 years in the trade
Why the Range Is So Wide
**Venting and chimney work.** This is the single biggest wildcard. Running a vent through an exterior wall is cheap. Routing it up through two floors and a roofline, adding a chimney chase, and flashing it weathertight can add $2,000 to $4,000. Retrofitting into a home with no existing chimney is always more than a like-for-like replacement.
**Structural and finish work.** Framing out a new opening, adding a mantel, hearth tile, stone surround, or a floor-to-ceiling accent wall can each add $500 to $3,000. The fireplace itself might be $4,000 while the surround is another $4,000.
**Permitting and inspection.** Gas and wood-burning installs almost always require a permit and inspection. Permit fees range from $100 to $500, but the real cost is regional — some jurisdictions require licensed gas fitters and separate mechanical inspections that stretch the timeline and the labor bill.
**Region and labor market.** A gas fitter in a rural county bills very differently than one in a coastal metro. Labor alone can vary 40% or more between markets for the identical scope.
How Long It Takes
Timeline tracks cost. An electric insert is a same-day job — often 2 to 4 hours. A direct-vent gas fireplace typically takes 1 to 2 days once materials are on site, plus a wait for the inspection to clear before final use.
A masonry wood-burning fireplace is a 3-to-7-day project, sometimes longer if weather affects chimney work or if the permit and inspection cycle adds a week of waiting between framing and finish.
Budget an extra 2 to 4 weeks on the front end for permitting in stricter jurisdictions — that's calendar time, not labor time, but it's the part that surprises people planning around a holiday deadline.
Getting an Honest Number
The only way to tighten a $2,500-to-$12,000 range into a real quote is to have someone walk your space and see what's behind the wall — because the venting path, the existing gas access, and your local permit rules do most of the math for you.
When you're comparing bids on a job this size, it's worth having your payment held safely until the work passes inspection.