A fireplace insert costs $3,600 installed on average, with most homeowners paying $700 to $6,500.1 The insert unit itself runs $500 to $3,000 by fuel type, with labor adding $200 for electric up to $2,200 for wood-burning.1 Prices below are national averages* for 2026.
*National averages, not local quotes. Your price depends on fuel type, insert size, chimney condition and local installer rates.
$3,600
average installed (Angi)
$700–$6,500
typical range (Angi)
$2,000
gas insert average (Forbes)
$1,500–$3,000
chimney liner (B&B)
What sources say
| Source | Figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Angi | $3,600 average installed, $700 – $6,500 | Unit, size and labor tables below |
| Forbes | $2,000 average for a gas insert, $1,000 – $6,000 | Unit about $1,200, labor $500 – $3,500 |
| Builds and Buys | $500 – $6,500 total | Electric $500 – $2,800, gas $1,800 – $6,000, wood $1,800 – $6,500 installed |
Forbes’ $2,000 average covers gas inserts only, which is why it sits below Angi’s all-fuel $3,600 figure. Angi and Builds and Buys both top out at $6,500 for a full installation.1,2,3
Insert cost by fuel type, before labor
| Fuel type | Unit (Angi) | Unit (B&B) |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | $500 – $2,000 | $300 – $2,000 |
| Gas | $700 – $1,000 | $1,000 – $3,500 |
| Wood | $1,000 – $1,500 | $800 – $3,500 |
| Pellet | $2,000 – $3,000 | $1,200 – $3,000 |
Angi lists these figures alongside a separate labor table, so read them as the insert itself. Ranges are wide because size matters: Angi prices an 18-inch insert at $500, a 30-inch at $1,700 and a 42-inch at $2,300.1
Labor by fuel type (Angi)
| Fuel type | Labor cost |
|---|---|
| Electric | $200 |
| Pellet | $500 |
| Gas | $1,500 |
| Wood-burning | $2,200 |
Connecting gas or electric lines and repairing the existing firebox adds $200 to $1,000 on top.1
Installation components (Builds and Buys)
| Component | Cost | When required |
|---|---|---|
| Chimney liner | $1,500 – $3,000 | Most gas and wood inserts |
| Gas line connection | $300 – $1,000 | Gas inserts only |
| Electrical work | $200 – $600 | Blowers, controls, ignition |
| Surround panel | $200 – $800 | Covers gaps around insert |
| Blower | $300 – $600 | Improves heat distribution |
| Hearth extension | $300 – $1,200 | If existing hearth inadequate |
| Chimney inspection | $200 – $400 | Before any install |
The chimney is the swing factor on older homes: a liner plus repairs can change the total by thousands, and B&B calls the inspection mandatory before quoting.3
Running costs and payback
| Item | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cord of wood | $300 average; lasts 8 – 12 weeks | Angi |
| Zone-heating savings | $200 – $800 per year | B&B |
| Added home value | $2,000 – $6,000; 80 – 90% cost recovery | B&B |
DIY or hire
An electric insert that slides into an existing opening is the one DIY-friendly option; gas line work, liners and wood installs are pro jobs, and most areas want the chimney inspected first. The Home Depot fireplace inserts category shows current unit pricing in gas, electric and wood.
Related guides
Electric Fireplace Installation Cost
Pellet Stove Installation Cost
Fireplace Installation Cost
Chimney Sweep Cost
Fire Pit Cost
All cost guides
Sources
1. Angi — Fireplace Insert Cost
2. Forbes — Fireplace Insert Cost
3. Builds and Buys — Fireplace Insert Cost Guide