Fireplace installation
A fireplace is one of the few remodels that pays back in how much you actually use a room. We handle the carpentry side start to finish — framing the chase, building the surround and mantel, running the venting, and finishing in tile, stone, or brick — and coordinate the gas connection with a licensed trade.
Types, honestly compared
| Gas | Wood | Electric | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installed cost | $4,500 – $12,000 | $6,000 – $18,000 | $1,200 – $4,000 |
| Real heat output | High | Highest | Low (supplemental) |
| Venting required | Direct vent through wall | Full chimney | None |
| Runs in a power outage | Most do | Yes | No |
| Maintenance | Annual service | Sweeping, ash | Basically none |
| Best for | Most Minnesota homes | Cabins, purists | Basements, apartments, quick wins |
For a typical Twin Cities house, a direct-vent gas insert or fireplace is the practical answer: real heat, no chimney to build, vents horizontally out a sidewall, and it works when the power is out.
What we do
- Frame the chase and hearth to the manufacturer's clearance specs
- Install direct-vent, B-vent, or Class A chimney systems
- Fireplace inserts into an existing masonry firebox — a huge efficiency upgrade over an open fireplace, which is actually a net heat loser
- Build the surround: tile, stacked stone, brick, shiplap, or full-height stone
- Custom mantels — reclaimed timber, painted millwork, or floating
- TV-above framing with proper heat shielding and in-wall conduit
- Gas line and electrical coordinated with licensed trades
Planning ranges (Twin Cities, estimates)
| Work | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Electric fireplace and surround | $1,200 – $4,000 |
| Gas insert into existing firebox | $4,000 – $8,500 |
| New direct-vent gas fireplace | $6,000 – $12,000 |
| Wood-burning with new chimney | $9,000 – $18,000 |
| Stone or tile surround, floor to ceiling | $2,500 – $8,000 |
| Custom mantel | $600 – $3,000 |
Estimates for planning.
The open-fireplace truth
A traditional open masonry fireplace has an efficiency around negative 10% — it pulls more heated air up the chimney than it puts into the room. If you have one and you actually want heat, a sealed gas or wood insert is the upgrade that changes everything.
What's included
- Free, no-pressure estimate
- Licensed & fully insured crew
- Cleanup included — we leave it spotless
- Same-day or scheduled service
- Written quote, fair pricing
- 24/7 emergency response
FAQ
Do I need a chimney for a gas fireplace?
No. Direct-vent gas fireplaces vent horizontally through an exterior wall with a sealed coaxial pipe that brings in combustion air and exhausts outside.
Can I put a TV above the fireplace?
Yes, with proper heat shielding and enough mantel projection. We frame in the conduit and a recessed outlet box so no cords show.
Is a fireplace insert worth it?
If you have an open masonry fireplace, absolutely. An open fireplace is a net heat loss; a sealed insert turns the same opening into a genuine heat source.
Do I need a permit?
Yes for gas and wood installations — mechanical and often building permits, plus inspection. Plug-in electric units generally do not require one.
Fireplace Installation near you
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