Fireplaces
Fireplace Basic Cost
Consider this: The basic construction of the fireplace is the foundation, hearth & chimney. Everything else
is decorative dressing.
Every fireplace is the same except for the height of the chimney which is usually red brick. When the contractor
is estimating your fireplace cost he already knows the basic cost so the only thing he is concerned with is the
interior finish. He adds the interior finish to the basic & he easily determines the final selling price.
The interior finish cost can (& does) fluctuate wildly. Just a few options: Brick facing or stone, 5' wide,
10' wide or more, facing 5' high or to the ceiling, wood mantle, stone mantle or no mantle, raised
hearth or none etc, etc, etc.
Each decision you make raises or lowers the cost. If you want to remodel an existing fireplace
then you have to think the ssme way. Do it wisely and/or do it yourself & you can save a bunch of
money.
Several years ago I bought a house with two fireplaces. One in the living room, one in the den. The basic hearth
was built well but the facing in the rooms was minimal. Not only that but the red brick had been painted white.
Now, I don't know about you, but I am not fond of painted brick, so I had a dilemma on my hands about how to get
rid of the ugly paint.
Trying to scrape it off was not appealing so we (my contractors) came over & removed all the brick. We
refaced the fireplace in the living room with unpainted old brick & extended it 4' on each side up to the
ceiling. We covered the existing hearth wall with brick & covered the raised hearth with a new piece of
blue stone slate.
The same treatment was given in the den except we faced it with fieldstone 4' each side of the hearth & up to
the ceiling. The hearth was also covered with blue stone & slate.
Two uglies were transformed into two Cinderella show pieces. We enjoyed those fireplaces for several years.
If you have an old fireplace that needs a do then use a little imagination & it can be transformed
like magic at minimal cost.
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