Fireplace Remodel & Conversion Cost in Vancouver, WA (2026 Guide)

A fireplace remodel in Vancouver, WA costs $600 to $8,100+ in 2026, depending on scope. A cosmetic refacing with new tile or stone veneer runs $600–$4,500. A full surround replacement with natural stone or brick costs $2,400–$8,100. Converting a wood-burning fireplace to gas adds $2,000–$5,000. These numbers reflect Portland–Vancouver metro labor rates, which run 8–12% above national averages per Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

This guide breaks down every type of fireplace remodel for Clark County homeowners: refacing costs by material, insert pricing, gas conversion details, local air quality regulations, permit requirements, and ROI data. Whether you're updating a dated brick surround or switching from wood to gas, you'll find the numbers and context to budget your project.

Fireplace Remodel Cost Overview (2026)

The average fireplace remodel costs $1,200 nationally, with most projects falling between $400 and $4,500, per Angi. In Vancouver, WA, expect to pay 8–15% more than national averages because of higher construction wages in the Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro MSA and Washington's 8.8% sales tax on materials (6.5% state + 2.3% local).

The total price depends on three things: what you're changing (surface only vs. structural), the materials you choose (painted brick vs. stacked stone vs. marble), and whether you're adding or converting a fuel source (gas line, venting, insert). Here is the cost breakdown by project type:

• Paint and minor updates: $350–$650
• Tile or stone veneer refacing: $600–$4,500
• Gas insert installation: $2,000–$5,000
• Full surround replacement: $2,400–$8,100
• Mantel replacement: $500–$5,000
• Complete fireplace rebuild: $5,000–$15,000+
• New fireplace installation (from scratch): $2,400–$20,000+

Most Vancouver, WA homeowners we work with spend $2,500–$6,000 on a combination of refacing the surround and converting to gas. That price range covers the most common scope: removing an outdated brick surround, installing a gas insert, and finishing with a new tile or stone veneer plus a wood mantel.

Fireplace Refacing Cost by Material

Refacing means covering the existing surround with a new material without altering the firebox structure. It is the most popular fireplace remodel scope because it delivers the biggest visual change for the lowest cost. Material choice is the primary cost driver.

Stacked stone and ledgestone are the most requested refacing materials in the Vancouver and Camas area. They work with the PNW craftsman aesthetic that dominates Clark County neighborhoods and pair well with the wide wood mantels many homeowners choose.

Labor typically accounts for 40–60% of the refacing total. A simple tile overlay on a flat surface takes less time than installing irregular stone pieces that require dry-fitting and cutting. If the existing brick or concrete backing is damaged, add $200–$600 for substrate repair before the new material goes on.

Gas Fireplace Conversion Cost

Converting a wood-burning fireplace to gas is one of the most requested fireplace upgrades in Clark County. The conversion costs $2,000–$5,000 total, per HomeGuide. The range depends on whether you install gas logs in the existing firebox or a sealed gas insert with its own venting.

Here is how the two main gas conversion options break down:

1. Gas log set (vented or vent-free): $700–$2,500 installed. Uses the existing firebox and chimney. Lower cost, but less heat efficient than an insert. Vented logs look more realistic; vent-free logs produce more heat but require room ventilation.
2. Gas insert with direct-vent liner: $2,000–$5,000 installed. A sealed unit fits into the existing firebox with a flexible liner running up the chimney. Much higher heat efficiency (70–85% vs. 20–30% for gas logs). This is the option most Vancouver-area homeowners choose for primary-zone heating.

Both options require a gas line to the fireplace. If your home already has a gas stub near the fireplace, connection costs $200–$500. Running a new gas line from the meter adds $500–$2,000 depending on distance and crawl space access. All gas work in Washington requires a licensed plumber or gas fitter.

The biggest advantage of gas in Clark County is burn ban compliance. The Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA) enforces seasonal burn bans that restrict wood-burning fireplaces and uncertified stoves. Gas fireplaces are exempt from all burn bans, so you can use yours every day from October through March without checking air quality alerts.

Fireplace Insert Cost by Fuel Type

Fireplace inserts are sealed units designed to fit inside an existing masonry or prefab firebox. They dramatically improve heat efficiency and are the best option if you want your fireplace to function as a real heat source, not just ambiance. Here is the installed cost for each fuel type:

• Gas insert: $2,000–$5,000 (most popular in Vancouver, WA)
• Wood-burning insert (EPA-certified): $1,500–$4,000
• Pellet insert: $2,000–$4,500
• Electric insert: $700–$2,500

Gas inserts dominate in Clark County for three reasons: they work during burn bans, they produce consistent heat with a thermostat, and they require almost zero maintenance. Wood and pellet inserts are popular with homeowners in rural areas around Battle Ground and Woodland who want supplemental heat and have easy access to fuel.

Electric inserts are the lowest-cost option and need no venting at all — just a standard 120V outlet. They work well as ambiance in a bedroom or home office remodel where you want the look of a fire without the heat output or gas line installation.

Full Surround Replacement Cost

A full surround replacement goes beyond refacing. It involves demolishing the existing surround down to the framing, adding new backing (cement board or metal), and building the new surround from scratch. This is necessary when the existing brick is crumbling, the firebox needs structural work, or you want to change the fireplace dimensions (taller opening, floor-to-ceiling stone wall, etc.).

Full surround replacement costs $2,400–$8,100 in Vancouver, WA, per HomeGuide. The range breaks down as follows:

• Demo and substrate prep: $400–$1,200
• New surround material and installation: $1,500–$5,500
• Hearth replacement (if needed): $300–$1,500
• Mantel and trim finishing: $500–$2,000

A floor-to-ceiling stone or tile feature wall is the premium version of this project. It transforms the fireplace from a functional box into the room's focal point. Expect $5,000–$12,000+ for a full feature wall with natural stone, depending on ceiling height and stone selection. This scope pairs well with an open floor plan remodel where the fireplace wall is visible from the kitchen and dining areas.

Mantel Replacement and Custom Options

Replacing the mantel is the single highest-impact, lowest-cost fireplace update. A new mantel can change the style of the entire living room without touching the surround material. Here are the options:

• Prefabricated mantel shelf: $200–$800 installed. MDF, pine, or poplar. Available at home centers. Paint-grade only.
• Solid wood mantel (stain-grade): $500–$2,000 installed. Oak, walnut, alder, or reclaimed fir. Popular in PNW craftsman homes.
• Live-edge or reclaimed beam: $1,000–$3,500 installed. Sourced locally from PNW timber. Unique, one-of-a-kind character.
• Full mantel surround (legs + shelf + header): $1,500–$5,000 installed. Traditional style with columns and a decorative header. Often paired with marble or tile insets.

In Vancouver and Camas, reclaimed Douglas fir beam mantels are the most requested style. Local millworks and salvage yards supply rough-hewn beams that match the Pacific Northwest aesthetic. Expect a 2–4 week lead time for custom sizing and finishing.

Clark County Fireplace Regulations

Clark County fireplace rules affect both what you can install and when you can use it. The Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA) oversees air quality enforcement, and Clark County Community Development handles building and mechanical permits. Here is what Vancouver-area homeowners need to know:

Burn ban rules

• Stage 1 ban: No open fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves (sole-source-of-heat exemption applies). EPA-certified stoves and pellet stoves OK.
• Stage 2 ban: All solid-fuel burning prohibited except sole-source-of-heat. Pellet stoves also restricted.
• Gas and electric: Exempt from all burn bans — no restrictions, no exemptions needed.

Clark County typically issues 5–15 burn ban days per heating season, concentrated in November through February when temperature inversions trap smoke in the valley. This is a primary reason many homeowners convert to gas.

Permit requirements

• No permit needed: Paint, refacing, mantel replacement, decorative tile — any cosmetic-only work.
• Mechanical permit required: Gas line installation, gas insert venting, wood stove installation.
• Building permit required: Structural chimney modifications, new fireplace construction, hearth extension changes affecting code clearances.

Mechanical permits in Clark County currently process in 1–2 weeks. Building permits take 2–4 weeks. Your contractor should handle all applications. For more on the permit process, see our Vancouver, WA remodeling permits guide.

Fireplace Remodel ROI and Home Value

A fireplace remodel delivers strong ROI relative to cost. According to the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers, a fireplace adds 6–12% to home resale value. Updated fireplaces specifically return 70–80% of the remodel cost, and homes with fireplaces are listed for 13% more than the national median sale price, per Redfin data.

In Clark County's $525,000 median-price market, that 6–12% premium translates to $31,500–$63,000 in perceived value. You don't need to spend $30K to capture that — a $3,000–$5,000 refacing and gas conversion moves the fireplace from "dated" to "feature" in buyer eyes.

The ROI is especially strong in the Pacific Northwest where fireplaces are used 5–7 months per year. Buyers in Vancouver, WA expect a functional, attractive fireplace. A crumbling brick surround with a rusted damper is a negotiation point; a clean stone surround with a gas insert is a selling point. For more renovation ROI data, see our home renovation ROI guide.

Project Timeline by Scope

Fireplace remodels are one of the fastest renovation projects you can do. Most scopes complete in under two weeks of active work. Here are the timelines by project type:

1. Paint and mantel swap: 1–2 days
2. Tile refacing: 2–4 days
3. Stone veneer refacing: 3–5 days
4. Gas insert installation (existing gas line): 1–2 days
5. Gas insert + new gas line: 3–5 days
6. Full surround replacement: 5–10 days
7. Complete rebuild or new construction: 2–4 weeks

Custom mantel fabrication adds 2–4 weeks of lead time before installation, similar to kitchen cabinet lead times. Order early and let the mantel arrive before demo starts. Permit processing adds 1–4 weeks depending on scope.

How to Save on Your Fireplace Remodel

There are several ways to reduce your fireplace remodel budget without sacrificing the finished look:

• Paint instead of replace: A painted brick fireplace is a genuine design style, not a compromise. White or charcoal painted brick with a new wood mantel costs under $1,500 and looks intentional.
• Use stone veneer instead of natural stone: Manufactured stone veneer costs $10–$40/sq ft vs. $15–$70/sq ft for natural stone. Modern veneers are nearly indistinguishable from real stone once installed.
• Choose a prefab mantel: A paint-grade prefab shelf at $200–$800 delivers 80% of the visual impact of a $2,000+ custom piece.
• Bundle with other projects: If you're already doing a whole house remodel, adding a fireplace refacing is marginal cost since the contractor is already on site.
• Skip the hearth if code allows: If your gas insert is sealed and direct-vented, Clark County code allows smaller hearth extensions than open fireplaces require. This can save $300–$1,500 on hearth stone.

Real-world scenario: dated brick to modern stone

A typical Clark County fireplace remodel we see: a 1990s-era home in Salmon Creek with a floor-to-ceiling red brick fireplace, a wood-burning firebox, and a basic oak mantel. The homeowners wanted a modern look and hassle-free heating. The scope included demolishing the brick surround, installing a direct-vent gas insert, building a new ledgestone surround to the ceiling, and adding a reclaimed fir beam mantel. Total cost: approximately $6,800. Timeline: 8 working days. The fireplace went from the room's weakest feature to its strongest.

Sources

• Angi — How Much Does a Fireplace Remodel Cost? (2026)
• HomeGuide — Fireplace Remodel Cost (2026)
• HomeAdvisor — Cost to Remodel a Fireplace (2025)
• Redfin — Does a Fireplace Add Value? (2025)
• iBuyer — Fireplace Home Value Data
• Southwest Clean Air Agency — Woodstove Regulations
• Bureau of Labor Statistics — Construction Wage Data

Frequently Asked Questions