There’s nothing quite like a fireplace to add warmth and ambiance to your home. But fireplace repairs can be a pain. Depending on the type of fireplace you have, your maintenance and repair requirements will differ, as will the fireplace repair cost. In this article, we’ll take a look at four popular types of fireplaces, and break down the costs for common fireplace repairs.
Gas Fireplace
A gas fireplace uses natural gas to heat your home. This no-fuss type of fireplace doesn’t require a chimney, but rather, uses just a pipe to remove any byproducts from your home. Many models allow you to control the flame using a remote or a thermostat, and this type of fireplace doesn’t produce smoke or buildup in your home or chimney.
Repair Cost
The gas fireplace repair cost that you’ll pay depends on what type of repair you need. The average fireplace repair price is between $40 and $60, but some repairs could cost as much as $2,000. Some of the most common repairs for a gas fireplace are failed pilot lights, fogged-up glass and issues with the remote control or thermostat system. If you have a gas fireplace, it’s comforting to know that almost all parts can be repaired or replaced, which can extend the life of your fireplace.
Pros and Cons
If you don’t already have a gas fireplace, here are some pros and cons to be aware of if you’re considering installing one.
Pros
- Less likely to have dangerous smoke or chemical buildup
- Less expensive than other types of fireplaces
- Won’t have to purchase or supply fuel for the fireplace
Cons
- Requires a gas line hookup
- Doesn’t produce as much heat as a wood-burning fireplace
- Contains several parts that can break
Wood Fireplace
A classic wood-burning fireplace lends unbeatable appeal to your living space. There’s just nothing like curling up by a fire on a cold afternoon. This type of fireplace requires a chimney to vent smoke and its byproducts out of your home, since these can cause health and safety hazards if left inside your home. Inside the chimney is a flue—a pipe that vents smoke—and a damper, which controls the intensity of your fire by keeping cold air out and warm air inside your home. Below is a picture that shows the different parts of a chimney:
Repair Cost
As you can see from the diagram above, wood fireplaces consist of many different parts, each of which is essential to keeping your home safe. If there’s a problem with your wood-burning fireplace, you may need to hire an experienced mason to do the work. They can handle tasks like firebox repointing and rebuilding. This is an essential repair, since loose bricks or mortar can increase the risk of fire in your home.
Other common chimney repairs are the parts of the chimney that extends above the roofline, like flashing, crown and cap. Rainwater often erodes these parts of the chimney, causing the need for repair. Masons charge between $70 and $110 per hour, so this is a good ballpark for the fireplace repair cost. If your chimney is in disrepair and needs to be rebuilt, you can expect to pay $2,000 to $5,000 depending on the exact nature of the job that needs to be done.
Pros and Cons
The classic beauty and warmth of a wood-burning fireplace is a favorite among many. But, there are some drawbacks as well.
Pros
- Provides a sensory experience that involves hearing, smell and sight
- Efficient at warming a room or level of a home
- Low to no fuel cost
Cons
- Requires upkeep like regular cleaning and maintenance
- Repairs can be costly, especially if they involve chimney work
- Require a constant supply of wood
Electric Fireplace
If you’d like the beauty and aesthetics of a fireplace in your home with almost no maintenance cost, an electric fireplace is the right choice for you. These run solely on electricity, but manage to be relatively energy efficient as well, costing only pennies on the dollar to operate (an average of only $0.14 per hour). With this type of fireplace, you’ll enjoy the beauty of dancing flames and a bit of added warmth to your space, all without having to deal with fuel costs or bringing wood in from the cold.
Repair Cost
There aren’t many repairs that will be needed for your electric fireplace. Once it’s installed (a cost that can range from $1,000 to $2,000 for fancier, non-freestanding units), you’ll only need to inspect wiring from time to time and perhaps change a lightbulb if it goes out. Lightbulbs are what’s used to create the life-like flames in an electric fireplace, and can be accessed by removing the back panel of the unit.
Pros and Cons
It’s true that you won’t have to shell out a lot of money for a fireplace repair if you opt for an electric unit. Let’s take a look at some other pros and cons of electric fireplaces.
Pros
- Energy efficient
- Provide a modern aesthetic that’s trendy right now
- Very little maintenance
Cons
- Can increase electric bill
- Provide less warmth than a traditional fireplace
- Don’t look as authentic as gas or wood-burning fires
Pellet Fireplace
The pellet fireplace is rising in popularity today. That’s likely due to its super-efficient burn capability, and ease of use. Small pellets are made from byproducts of sawmills, making them an environmentally friendly option for those concerned with clean energy sources. A fireplace repair to a pellet stove should be handled by a qualified electrician.
Repair Cost
Most pellet fireplace repairs are needed due to less efficient burning, and sometimes that can be related to ash buildup. According to Fixr, you can expect to pay between $300 and $500 if you need to have a professional come to repair your pellet stove, with the average cost of fireplace repair for a pellet stove at $400. A thorough cleaning will cost around $130, while a circuit board replacement could run as much as $800.
Pros and Cons
Let’s take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of a pellet stove.
Pros
- Very efficient
- Excellent heat output
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Can increase electric bill
- Requires maintenance and repairs at times
- Must purchase pellets
Electric fireplace inserts are less powerful, but much more affordable, and easier to install. Whichever fireplace insert is best for your home, we’ve prepared a top ten list here to help you find the right fit (pun intended) for weathering the coming cold.
To arrive at the average costs in this article, editorial team members surveyed a range of providers on national and local levels. All averaged figures were correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.
