There are several things to look for when purchasing a fireplace, and the main distinguishing factors are fuel type (wood, gas, or electric) and style (insert, freestanding, zero clearance, or direct vent).
These architectural features are a worthy investment. However, there may be times when you want to remove the one in your property and move it elsewhere.
An entire fireplace removal will cost you an average of $4,500, while a partial demolition can cost you at least $1,000.
Charlie Victor, founder of My Modern Cave, shares that “the cost of removing a fireplace will depend on a few factors, including the size and type of fireplace (such as an outdoor fireplace or electric fireplace), the complexity of the job, and any additional demolition or repair work that needs to be done.”
He adds that generally, “you can expect to pay between $500 and $2,000 for a typical gas fireplace removal.”
Let us help you decide the best solution for your fireplace with this breakdown of prices relating to fireplace removal.
Cost Breakdown of Fireplace Removal by Service
A full fireplace removal can cost you anywhere from $3,500 to a maximum of $10,000. The biggest factor that may affect the price is the type of fireplace you have.
Reinis Butka, CEO of Luminesy, shares that many people opt for these since their “customizable features include easy remote control operation, LED lighting effects, and a variety of gas logs and burners.”
He adds, however, that their “uses [of] a substantial amount of propane (approximately a gallon of propane/hour)” can make people choose not to get them or have them removed later down the road.
Removal of fireplaces that have a permanent source of fire like gas fireplaces are more expensive and can cost you close to $10,000, yet cheaper kinds like free-standing or outdoor fireplaces can only cost you around $3,500.
Aside from fireplace type there are also many factors to consider including the size of the fireplace and even the average cost of labor in your area.
Here is a breakdown of a $4,500 fireplace removal by each service involved in the procedure.
Most of the cost will go towards the actual demolition process, followed by the repair costs that will be carried out after the fireplace has been removed.
Any debris produced by the removal process also needs to be safely disposed of to avoid leaving a mess on your property.
John Burton, CEO of Windows Republic, also shares that it is highly recommended that you acquire the services of a professional engineer to carry out the demolition process to ensure that your house still remains structurally intact after the removal of the fireplace.
Costs to Remove Each Fireplace Part
Meanwhile, Melissa Hawkins, founder of Home Arise, shares that “the process of removing a fireplace can vary.” Some might want a full demolition, while there are those who only want to remove some parts of their fireplace. We’ve compiled the costs for each process here for your easy viewing.
Cost of Chimney Stack Removal
Prices to remove a chimney stack start at $1,000, and the average cost is $1,500. This procedure requires renting a scaffold, repairing any roof damage, demolition fees, as well as disposal fees.
Cost of Replacing the Fireplace Liner
Removing the liner and flue of your fireplace can cost you at least $1,200, but the average total cost is $3,000. The cost can greatly vary depending on the length of the liner as well as if it has curves or bends.
The material of the liner can also affect the cost, as steel liners are easier to remove than concrete or clay liners. On average, expect to spend between $50 to $150 per linear foot.
Cost of Removing the Fireplace Breast
The fireplace breast is the base of the fireplace and therefore is one of the pricier parts to remove. Prices for fireplace breast removal start at $1,500, but expect to spend an average of $2,800.
Removing only the fireplace breast means that you’ll need to install a support beam for the remaining parts. Most steel beams can be bought for $250 per foot today.
Factors that Affect the Price of Fireplace Removal
There are a lot of reasons why prices can vary when it comes to removing a fireplace, like the size of your fireplace, its location in your home, and its type.
Let’s take a look at these factors below.
Size of the Fireplace
The larger the fireplace, the harder and longer will it take to remove.
Plus, many older houses use traditional fireplaces as supporting structures for walls and ceilings.
Therefore, expect demolition and repair costs to be higher if your fireplace is large and is a foundational support for your home.
Type of Fireplace
The difficulty of removing a fireplace depends on what kind of fireplace your house has. Knowing what type of fireplace your home has can help you plan out better the money you need to set aside before removing your fireplace.
An electric fireplace attached to a wall is far easier to remove than a gas fireplace that is connected to the gas pipes underneath your house.
What are the types of fireplaces?
The types of fireplaces are traditional fireplaces, gas fireplaces, freestanding fireplaces, and electric fireplaces.
Here we’ve listed more information about each type as well as the average cost to remove them.
Traditional Fireplace
Traditional fireplaces are also referred to as brick fireplaces. They’ve been used for centuries and rely on burning dried wood or coal to keep the fire burning.
Even though they are old-fashioned, they are still adored because of their aesthetic.
Traditional fireplaces are built into the structure of your house itself and are therefore one of the hardest fireplaces to remove. You can usually expect to spend around $2,000 to remove them.
Gas Fireplace
A more modern type of fireplace is the gas fireplace. This fireplace uses gas instead of coal or wood to continuously provide fire.
With a gas fireplace, you can have an easier time warming up your house, as it doesn’t require too much to turn on. Most houses use a gas fireplace, as it is inexpensive and easy to use.
Because they are installed usually connected to a gas line, gas fireplaces tend to be more expensive to remove with costs averaging around $3,000.
Free-standing Fireplace
A free-standing fireplace is perfect for newer homes with a minimalist aesthetic. Its thin body takes up less space than other fireplaces, which allows it to be placed almost anywhere in the room.
Aside from its looks, a free-standing fireplace is also relatively inexpensive compared to other types and is easy to install and remove. Removing a free-standing fireplace can cause you as little as $800, unlike other fireplace types.
There are also different models of free-standing fireplaces in the market today, including ones that use dried wood.
Electric Fireplace
One of the latest fireplaces developed is the electric fireplace. Because its heat source is easy to get, electric fireplaces can exist in many forms and types.
They can be mounted on a wall or be a free-standing appliance. This level of flexibility makes them one of the more popular fireplaces used by many homes today.
The only possible downside with them is that they lack the aesthetic other fireplaces have because the heat they generate is done by electricity and not by burning gas or wood.
Expect to spend at least $2,500 to remove an electric fireplace, as you’ll need a professional electrician to disable it first and cut it off from its power supply.
Accessibility of the Fireplace
Fireplaces that were constructed or added to parts of the house that are hard to access—like the basement—will cost more to remove.
This is because the contractor will exert effort in getting to your fireplace and destroying and restoring the parts of your house that your fireplace is attached to.
The following will determine the accessibility of your fireplace:
Where is the fireplace placed? Was it simply added to the wall after the house was constructed, or is it being used as an integral support for your house?
Cost of Labor
When estimating the cost of fireplace removal, aside from material costs, you also need to factor in how services are priced in your area.
If you live in a quieter area with fewer customers, then labor might be easier to find and therefore can be cheaper than average.
But if you live in a more populated area like an urban setting then expect labor costs to be more on the expensive side as demand for labor can be greater than supply.
FAQs about Fireplace Removal
Unless you have a real reason for removing your fireplace like a safety issue, it is generally recommended to not remove it, as you’ll devalue your house.
Despite the rising number of households that have removed their fireplaces, many home buyers today still factor in if the property they’re interested in has a fireplace.
If you don’t plan to sell your house sometime in the future, you still need to factor in the remodeling you’ll need to do once you remove a built-in fireplace.
So unless you have a serious reason like safety issues, then it is wise to think twice before making this decision.
Removing your fireplace may devalue your house because many buyers still prefer properties with a fireplace included.
This is particularly true if you live in an area with a colder climate. Buyers in this area will naturally expect the house to have a fireplace of its own.
Plus, many people still appreciate the aesthetic a fireplace can provide for a house. Even if they might not use the fireplace regularly, having a fireplace in itself almost immediately makes a house more appealing and comfy.
If the fireplace is also part of the original design, then concerns might also be raised as to how much change was made to the house just to remove the fireplace. A removed fireplace can also compromise the structural integrity of the house.
You can cover up your fireplace, but we don’t recommend it. It is better to just remove the fireplace rather than attempt to cover it because covering it can cause water damage.
A fireplace that is only covered introduces the problem of water damage and mold growth in your home.
Despite being “sealed,” a covered fireplace still has air and moisture inside it, especially in the flue wherein the warmer temperature of your house and the colder temperature outside can mix. This will lead to condensation.
Condensation means that the moisture in your fireplace is turning to water, which can cause water damage to your house as the water from the flue seeps through your walls and the fireplace itself.
If your budget only allows for sealing a fireplace, it is recommended that you let a professional inspect your fireplace first so that you can find the best solution available.
Most newer properties today don’t have a fireplace because homeowners want to cut construction costs.
Because a fireplace adds a few thousand dollars to the total building cost, many builders today opt to not include them to keep their prices attractive to buyers.
Another reason is the advancements brought by technology. Unlike decades ago when the whole family gathered around the fireplace to warm up themselves, today, newer technology like electric heaters can do that quickly and efficiently.
Many building regulations also want to keep new buildings as airtight as possible. This is harder to do with a fireplace that has a chimney that lets the outside air in easily.
