What questions should I ask a fireplace installer before hiring them?
In Arden, ask how the installer turns a tired, drafty open fireplace into a real heater, since many Royal Pines and Skyland homes from the 1980s and 90s have open masonry boxes that pull heat out of the room. Then ask the essentials, a licensed North Carolina gas contractor, Buncombe County permit, liability and workers' comp, an in-house gas line, and a workmanship guarantee.
From heat-losing box to real heater
Arden's established Royal Pines and Skyland neighborhoods are full of open masonry fireplaces that look nice and heat poorly; an open box can actually run a net heat loss. Ask the installer whether a sealed gas insert, commonly 70% efficient or better, fits your existing firebox, whether the flue needs a liner, and how they'll size the unit to your square footage. Ask them to be honest about repair versus replacement.
Gas mains, Biltmore Park, and the license
Arden sits on the natural-gas mains, and the Biltmore Park area adds commercial and office demand, so ask for relevant references if yours is a commercial job. For any project, ask whether they're a licensed gas contractor; in North Carolina only a licensed contractor can connect and pressure-test the fuel, no matter how good a showroom's display looks. Ask how far the gas line must run to your room.
Permit, insurance, and accountability
Confirm the Buncombe County permit and inspector visit, ask for liability and workers' comp, and check that one crew owns the appliance, venting, gas line, and permit rather than subbing the fuel work out. Ask what workmanship guarantee sits on top of the manufacturer's warranty. Our Asheville showroom is a 15-minute drive from Arden. Call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Arden
We install and service fireplaces throughout Arden and the rest of Buncombe County — just 15 minutes south from our Asheville-area showroom.
Related questions
- How do I know if a fireplace installer is qualified?
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- Who should install a gas fireplace — a plumber, an HVAC company, or a fireplace store?