Fireplace Installation: What to Expect, Step by Step
A fireplace installation runs in three stages: a visit to measure the room and settle the plan, a written quote, and then the installation itself, which takes anywhere from a few hours to a few days depending on the unit. Our own installation team handles every part of it, from the first measurement to the walkthrough at the end. Here is what happens at each step, so nothing on the day comes as a surprise.
The fireplace installation timeline at a glance
Most of the work happens before anyone picks up a tool. It helps to think of the project in three parts.
Before installation day
We come to the house, measure the opening or the wall, and look for anything in the way, such as an old mantel or tile. We check where a vent can run and where the gas line and the nearest outlet are. You tell us what you want the fireplace to do, and we tell you which units fit the space. The quote comes to you in writing after the visit, not as a number at the door.
Installation day
The crew arrives with the unit, the venting and the finish materials. Floors and furniture are covered. Any framing, hearth pad or drywall work comes first, then the venting, then the gas or electrical connection, and then the fireplace itself is set and secured. Trim, logs and glass go on last.
After the crew leaves
Every connection is tested before we go. The room is cleaned, the packaging leaves with us, and you get a walkthrough of the controls. The room is back in use the same day unless stone or tile work is still to come.
Step 1: Talk it through, in the showroom or at home
The first conversation happens either in our showroom in Downers Grove or at your house. We cover:
- What you want it to do: heat the room, look good, or both
- Fuel: gas, electric, wood, or a gas log set in an existing fireplace
- The room, and where the fireplace will sit in it
- Style: traditional, modern, built-in, corner, see-through
- What is already there: a chimney, a gas line, an outlet
We also talk about timing and about which permits your town asks for. The rules change from one suburb to the next, and we deal with that for you.
Step 2: Measuring the room
Next comes the site visit, which matters most when the fireplace is going into an existing wall or opening. Our installer checks:
- The wall structure and the clearances to anything that can burn
- The venting route, or the condition of the existing chimney
- Where the gas line is and whether it can reach, and where the power would come from
- The size of the room, so the heat output matches it
- Whether the floor needs a hearth pad or other protection
The measurements decide the size of the unit and the parts we order. Getting this right is the reason we do not quote from a phone call. The in-home visit is free, and we have written more about why the estimate comes first.
Step 3: Choosing the fireplace and the finishes
This is the enjoyable part. With the measurements in hand, you choose:
- The unit: a direct-vent gas fireplace, a gas insert, an electric built-in, a wood-burning fireplace or stove, or a gas log set
- The mantel and surround
- The wall finish: stone, tile, plaster or shiplap
- Doors, glass, and the log set or fire glass inside
We carry 19 brands, so there is a unit for nearly any wall or opening. The gas and wood units are on display in the showroom, so you can stand in front of one and judge the size. The electric ones are lit on the floor, so you can see the flame effect for yourself.
Step 4: Permits and scheduling
Most towns around Chicagoland require a permit for a gas or wood-burning fireplace, and some inspect the gas line or the electrical work once it is done. We pull the permit, book the inspection and set the installation date around it. If the job needs a separate trade, such as an electrician for a new circuit, we arrange and schedule that too, so you are not managing contractors.
Step 5: Installation day, fuel by fuel
Installation can take a few hours or several days, depending on the type of fireplace and how much finish work follows. Here is what happens for each fuel.
Gas fireplaces and inserts
- The vent is run: a direct-vent pipe out through the wall or roof, or a liner down an existing chimney
- The gas line is connected and tested for leaks
- The unit is set, leveled and secured
- Trim, logs and glass go on
- Ignition, thermostat and remote are tested
Electric fireplaces
- The unit is mounted on the wall or built into a frame
- It is plugged in, or hardwired if the model calls for it
- Framing and finish work are completed
- The flame effect and the heater are tested
Wood-burning fireplaces and stoves
- The firebox is set, or the masonry is built
- The chimney or vent system is installed
- The hearth pad or floor protection goes down
- Damper, flue and smoke chamber are built or inspected
- The draft is checked
Gas log sets
- The existing firebox and chimney are inspected
- The gas line is brought to the firebox and tested
- The logs are set and the flame is adjusted
- A vented set needs a clear flue and an open damper; some towns do not allow vent-free sets
We keep the house clean and protected while we work, and we keep the disruption to the one room.
Step 6: Finishing touches
Once the fireplace is in, we complete the surround in stone, tile or wood, set the mantel or shelf, and do any trim or cabinetry. Custom finishes can add a day or two. We give you the schedule up front and keep you posted if it moves.
Step 7: Final checks and the walkthrough
Before you light the first fire, our installer goes over the whole job: the gas and electrical connections, the clearances, the venting, and the maker’s own checklist for that unit. In some towns an inspector does a final check as well, especially on gas and wood units.
Then we show you how it works. You get:
- A walkthrough of the controls, the remote and the thermostat
- How to clean the glass, and what to leave to us
- The warranty paperwork and the owner’s manual
- A note of when the first service visit is due
We do not leave until you are comfortable using it.
Which fuel changes the job most
The fuel decides most of the work. A direct-vent gas fireplace draws its air from outside and exhausts through a sealed pipe, so it needs no chimney. An electric unit needs only an outlet. A wood-burning fireplace needs a real chimney and the most construction. A gas log set is the lightest job when there is already a sound masonry fireplace to put it in.
| Fuel | Venting | Gas line | Permit | Works in a power cut |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct-vent gas fireplace | A sealed pipe through the wall or roof; no chimney | Yes | Usually | Yes, on a millivolt or battery-backed ignition |
| Gas insert | The existing chimney, with a new liner | Yes | Usually | Yes, on a millivolt or battery-backed ignition |
| Electric fireplace | None | No | Rarely, for a plug-in unit | No |
| Wood-burning fireplace or stove | A chimney or a full chimney system | No | Usually | Yes |
| Gas log set | The existing fireplace and flue; none for a vent-free set, where allowed | Yes | Usually | Yes, on a match-lit or millivolt set |
Common questions
How long does a fireplace installation take?
From a few hours for a plug-in electric unit to several days for a wood-burning fireplace with a new chimney and a stone surround. A direct-vent gas fireplace on a straightforward wall usually falls in between. We give you the schedule with the quote.
Can a gas fireplace go on a wall with no chimney?
Yes. A direct-vent model vents through a pipe that runs out through the wall or up through the roof. The chimney only matters if you are putting an insert or a log set into an existing masonry fireplace.
What should I do before the crew arrives?
Move the furniture and anything on the mantel away from the wall, give us a clear path from the door, and keep pets in another room. If we need the basement for the gas line or the electrical panel, clear that path too.
What if the old fireplace has to come out first?
We take out the old unit, the old mantel or the tile as part of the job, and repair the framing or drywall around the opening before the new fireplace goes in. That is planned at the site visit, not discovered on the day.
Talk it through in the showroom
A Fireplace Store and More is at 1202-B 75th Street in Downers Grove, open seven days. Bring a photo of the wall or the opening, or just the question. We size it, quote it in writing and install it with our own team. Book a showroom or in-home visit, ask for a written estimate, or call (630) 241-1919.