Do fireplace dealers charge for in-home estimates or quotes?

The 1980s-90s open hearth, and what it could be

Arden's established Skyland and Royal Pines neighborhoods are full of open masonry fireplaces from the 80s and 90s that pull heat out of the room instead of adding it. The free estimate is where we weigh dropping in a sealed gas or wood insert with a proper liner — inserts commonly run 70 percent efficient or better, while an open masonry fireplace can actually run a net heat loss. There's no charge because this is the start of a project, not a service call, and the number can't be pinned down without seeing the firebox.

On the gas mains, with Biltmore Park nearby

Arden is on the natural-gas mains, so the estimate traces the line to the hearth and confirms it can carry the unit — and the Biltmore Park area's retail and office spaces mean we scope commercial gas fireplaces here too. We pull the permit with Buncombe County and meet the inspector, so a masonry-to-insert conversion is documented and your insurance and resale hold. A mason can build a beautiful surround, but only a licensed gas contractor can connect the fuel.

On these conversions we're candid about what's worth doing: some 90s open fireboxes take an insert beautifully and become genuine heaters, while a few are better left as-is, and the free estimate is where we tell you which is which. We'd rather right-size the upgrade than talk you into the largest unit — a properly sized sealed insert warms a Royal Pines living room without cooking you out of it on a mild Buncombe evening.

When the visit isn't free

New work and conversions: free to estimate. A gas unit that already failed: $125 diagnostic, quoted upfront, usually fixed the same visit. It's a 15-minute run south for us. Call (828) 545-0525, or compare units at the Asheville showroom first.