Changing the layout of your home can truly make a home feel like yours.
Adding a new bedroom, a patio, a deck, or a dining room and a breakfast nook can transform the atmosphere of your entire house.
With the right contractor, you can have the most beautiful house you’ve ever imagined.
But what if you wanted to move the fireplace? Is that possible?
What if you could move your fireplace into your brand-new dining room? How much would it cost?
It is possible to move a fireplace, but certain types of fireplaces are easier to move than others. As long as you find the right place for it and check your city’s zoning laws, you can move your fireplace into your bedroom, guest room, or into the dining room.
The usual price range to move a fireplace is $3,000-$9,000.
If you dislike the current location of your fireplace, then you can pay a contractor to move it elsewhere. But it might cost you a bit more than you expected!
Can You Move a Fireplace?
Adding on an extra room to your house or building a separate secondary house are great ways to improve your home.
But what if you would like to move your living room’s fireplace into the new bedroom?
Do you have to leave your living room fireplace where it is and build a brand-new fireplace in the bedroom?
Is it against zoning regulations to have more than one fireplace in a residence that is less than 2000 square feet?
If you have a fireplace, then you will be excited to hear what we’re about to tell you. Moving a fireplace is possible.
As long as there are no issues within your city’s or state’s zoning laws and you have the money, you can rebuild your home’s fireplace wherever the contractor can fit it.
Can You Move a Gas Fireplace?
A gas fireplace works by opening the gas valve and igniting the gas to generate a flame.
Some gas fireplaces light themselves and others will be an external flame from a lighter or log lighter.
Wood is not needed to keep the fire burning. As long as there is gas, the gas fireplace will remain on.
Because gas fireplaces require a gas line, it is believed they are more expensive and difficult to move. But, according to experienced contractors, moving a gas fireplace is far easier than moving a wood-burning fireplace!
The gas fireplace does not require a compartment underneath the hearth to scoop the ashes of burned wood.
The contractor will have an easier time placing your gas fireplace in a new location.
Also, gas fireplaces do not need a chimney.
Can You Move a Wood-Burning Fireplace?
Now, I know what you’re thinking. Of all the types of fireplaces, a wood-burning fireplace is obviously the easiest one since they’re the most common, right?
Unlike gas fireplaces, there is no gas line running underneath the living room. The only parts of a wood-burning fireplace to deal with are the ash pit and the chimney.
Actually, it is difficult to move a wood-burning fireplace. When moving this type of fireplace, the hearth, ash pit, and chimney are the biggest stumbling blocks.
There are two types of wood burning fireplaces: site-built and factory-made.
Site-Built Fireplaces
Site-built fireplaces are fireplaces that are constructed by hand on the lot.
They can be constructed at a different time, or they are made during the construction of the house.
Since these fireplaces are made by hand and with higher-quality materials, they’re harder to disassemble and move.
Factory Made or Prefabricated Fireplaces
Pre-built fireplaces are made with a few types of material, including steel, brick, aluminum, or cast iron.
The contractor removing and moving a prefabricated fireplace will not have much trouble.
It is possible that they may be able to keep the fireplace completely intact when removing it from its current position.
Since the hearth and the chimney are in two separate parts, they’re also easier to reassemble.
With both types of wood burning fireplaces, there are three main obstacles contractors have to overcome in order to move them.
Issues With Moving a Wood-Burning Fireplace
The first obstacle is the placement of the chimney or vent, as burning wood generates a lot of smoke.
The smoke needs somewhere to go or else it’ll build up inside the room and choke everyone. The vent cannot be above a tree, or the embers might cause a fire.
The second obstacle is finding a location for the ash compartment.
When all the wood is burnt, nothing will be left but a thick layer of ashes on the fireplace floor.
All wood burning fireplaces require a compartment, called an ashpit, underneath the main fireplace so that the person burning the wood can scoop the ashes into the pit.
Then, it can remove the ashes by scooping out the ashes outside through the cleanout door of the ash pit.
The average cost of deconstructing and rebuilding a wood burning fireplace with a chimney can be anywhere from $2,500 to $7,500.
If you want to tear down the adjusting fireplace and reassemble it in and other areas without the chimney, then tearing down a chimney can cost around $2,500 by itself.
Can You Move an Electric Fireplace?
By far, the easiest type of fireplace to move from one room to the other is an electric fireplace.
You may know how easy it is to move an electric fireplace already, as you likely bought your fireplace from an appliance store and brought it over to your home all by yourself.
Electric fireplaces are large enough to replicate the size, feel, and warmth of a regular fireplace.
But there are no gas lines, internal infrastructure, smoke, ashes, or wood to deal with.
There is no prep needed to turn on an electric fireplace. Just dim the room’s lights, turn on your electric fireplace, and pick up a good book.
Moving in a fireplace is incredibly easy. Just make a space for the fireplace in a different part of the room or in another room.
If your fireplace is hanging on a wall, you’ll need to purchase mounting brackets for its new location.
The only obstacle you may face is its weight and size. You may have to hire someone to install it on the wall if you cannot do it yourself.
The cost of a new electric fireplace depends on the size, available settings, and if it is energy efficient.
Small electric fireplaces can cost $150 to $300.
Medium size electric fireplaces can cost $350 to $700.
Large electric fireplaces cost $800 or more.
Inserted Electric Fireplaces
Some houses come with electric fireplaces built into the house as if it was a real fireplace.
These types of fireplaces are usually larger than those available as a separate unit from an appliance store.
There are some large electric fireplaces that you should not move. These types of fireplaces are usually built into the wall already.
They’re usually heavier and sturdier than electric fireplace appliances.
If you remove the electric fireplace from its space in the wall, the wall can become unstable if nothing else fills the area.
When you remove a wall mounted fireplace from its space in the wall, put something into the wall.
You can either have it filled in or the contractor will reinforce it and then turn it into a storage space or shelf.
Wall insert fireplaces range from around $500 to $2,000.
Reinforcing a wall can cost up to $2000, and creating space for a wall insert fireplace in a wall installing the fireplace can cost up to $2,500.
Other Things to Know Before Moving a Fireplace
Building code laws state the contractor needs to clear a wood burning or gas fireplace relocation with the fire department.
If the city allows fireplaces to be moved, the fire chief or a qualified firefighter will come to the house and evaluate the situation.
If a contractor does not clear it with the fire department, there will be fines and punishments.
The owner of the house will be fined, the fireplace may be torn down, and the contractor will have to pay thousands in penalties.
The contractor may have their contracting license suspended or revoked.
If the house is old, then the fireplace and chimney may not be up to modern building code standards.
When the fireplace is moved, the contractor will have to rebuild it so that it meets current building codes.
Expect additional costs during the building process. You’ll also have to pay for a large dumpster rental. This can cost up to $ $100 a day.
Don’t be surprised if the fireplace and the chimney are damaged during the disassembling and reassembling process.
It is common for chimneys for the foundation of the fireplace to crack.
Also, the contractor may want to clean out the chimney flue to remove any toxic chemicals and creosote buildup.
Conclusion to Moving Fireplaces
Fireplaces can be moved, but gas and wood-burning fireplaces have to be cleared with the fire department.
Removing a wall insert fireplace is simple as there is no gas line, chimney, hearth, or a pit to deal with. Electric fireplaces can simply be rolled from one room to another.
Moving a gas fireplace is much easier than relocating a wood-burning fireplace.
