How much does it cost to remove a fireplace and chimney completely?
In Asheville, removal cost depends entirely on how much comes out — pulling a gas insert and capping the line is modest, taking a Montford chimney down to the roofline is mid-range, and demolishing a full masonry stack in a North Asheville home can run as much as putting a new fireplace in. We're based right here on Emma Road to scope it.
Two cities, two kinds of teardown
Asheville's older neighborhoods — Montford, North Asheville, parts of West Asheville — carry original brick or stone stacks that run floor to foundation, so a full removal there means demolition, framing, roof and siding repair, and interior patching. South Asheville's newer homes usually have a clean-face gas box and a light metal chimney chase, which comes out far more simply. Naming which one you own is the first thing a free assessment settles, and it swings the price enormously.
What's ours and what's the contractor's
Our work is the licensed side — decommissioning and capping the gas line, pressure-testing it, pulling the appliance and venting — plus the inspection that tells you what the masonry is actually doing structurally. The stack teardown belongs to a general contractor or mason, and we coordinate with them the way we do on new builds. Either way the permit gets pulled with Buncombe County and an inspector signs off; unpermitted gas work can complicate a future home sale.
Worth pricing before you commit
A drafty open fireplace doesn't have to be demolished to stop being a problem. A sealed insert — commonly 70% efficient or better — kills the draft and makes it a real heater for a fraction of a full teardown, and refacing solves a looks complaint cheaper still. Asheville buyers still like a working hearth, so weigh resale before anything swings. Call (828) 545-0525 for a free look.
Fireplace help in Asheville
We install and service fireplaces throughout Asheville and the rest of Buncombe County — we're headquartered right here.
Related questions
- How much does it cost to cap off or disconnect a gas fireplace?
- Does removing a fireplace hurt resale value?
- How much value does a fireplace add to a home?
- How much does it cost to reface or update the look of an existing fireplace?
- Will a gas insert lower my heating bills compared to my open fireplace?