Brick Fireplace Construction Cost Breakdown

You don't have to live in an area that regularly experiences cold weather to enjoy the comforts of a brick fireplace.

Even in southern climates, a brick fireplace can provide a room with ambience, serve as the focal point for gatherings, and take the chill out of the air as needed.

And for those homeowners in more Northern states who are accustomed to low temperatures, brick fireplaces really show their worth as the mercury beings to plunge.

Brick Fireplace Cost #

Installing a new brick fireplace costs $3,500 to $6,500 on average, depending on the size, style and components included:

Basic Brick Fireplace

• 36-42 inch opening: $3,500 - $4,500
• 48-60 inch opening: $4,800 - $6,000

Stone or Brick Facing

• Stone veneer facade: $1,500 - $3,000
• Full brick facade: $3,000 to $6,500

Screen/Door

• Metal fireplace screen: $100 - $300
• Glass/iron door: $300 - $1,200

Mantel

• Stone, wood or brick mantel: $500 - $2,000
• Custom designer mantels: $1,800 - $3,500

Chimney Cap

• Basic rain cap: $100 - $250
• Decorative copper cap: $300 - $600

The final cost can go up significantly if structural changes to the home's framing or foundation are needed to support the heavy masonry fireplace.

Whichever type of chimney you have, plan on spending $150 to $300 per year for cleaning and inspection.

Real-World Brick Fireplace Costs #

Here are some real-world quotes from homeowners on how much they paid to have custom brick fireplaces built and installed in their homes:

• "We had a large 60-inch dry stack stone fireplace and chimney built as a focal point in our living room. With custom carved limestone mantel, gas insert and all labor it was $7,500." - James and Mary, Ohio

• "I had an interior brick mason put in a basic 4 foot wide firebox for my basement man-cave. With a stone hearth, metal door, plain mantel and chimney venting it cost $4,800." - Frank, Maryland

• "We splurged on a luxury modern curved front 35 inch wood burning fireplace surrounded in custom cut stacked stone veneer for our apartment remodel that cost $5,300 fully installed." - Sabrina, New York

• "I DIY built a smaller 30 inch wood burning brick fireplace and chimney for our back patio. The bricks, mortar and materials ran me $1,650. It goes much faster hiring a mason though." - Brandon, Nevada

As you can see, prices ranged from $1,650 for a small DIY backyard fireplace up to $7,500 for a luxurious professionally installed statement gas fireplace in the home interior. Location, size, masonry materials, accessories, inserts and complexity all impact the final price.

Brick Fireplace Considerations #

When building a brick fireplace, keep the following points in mind to ensure that the project meets both your aesthetic and budget goals.

• Custom Built vs. Prefabricated: A custom built brick hearth will be specially designed and built, brick by brick, for your home by a masonry contractor. This can take a week or two and, as you might imagine, the cost reflects the labor-intensive process. A prefabricated fireplace, on the other hand, is much cheaper to install, but you may not end up with the picture-perfect results of a customized hearth.

• Gas vs. Wood Burning: The look and smell of a real burning fire are, to some homeowners, the only way to go. Others, however, prefer gas logs which eliminate the mess and hassle of combustion byproducts and, in recent years, have become more realistic looking.

• Fireplace Location: Living room fireplaces are common, but you may also be considering a bedroom or outdoor fireplace. A fireplace in the master bedroom provides a romantic, luxurious touch, while an outdoor brick fireplace can serve as the centerpiece of your patio and even replace an outdoor heater and grill.

• Chimney Installation: Depending on the location of the fireplace, it may be necessary to install a new chimney or link the new fireplace to an existing chimney. Masonry chimneys, those made from brick and mortar, are probably what come to mind when you hear the word "chimney," although metal chimneys (aka "fake chimneys" or engineered chimneys) are more economical.

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