How Much Does a Stone Fireplace Cost in 2025?
Highlights
Installing a stone fireplace veneer can cost between $2,500 and $10,000 (or more).
A real stone fireplace costs even more on average, with most projects costing between $3,000 and $7,500.
Large fireplaces, custom designs, and rare materials can all increase the price of a stone fireplace.
Installing a stone fireplace can be a great way to increase home value, especially if you’re upgrading an old fireplace.
You can reduce fireplace costs by choosing stone veneer over real stone, refacing an existing fireplace instead of rebuilding, or even providing your own stone materials.
A stone fireplace veneer costs anywhere from $2,500 to $10,000 or more. Most range from $3,000 to $7,500, but a custom, real stone design built by a mason is pricier. Outdoor fireplaces cost $3,000 on average (though, again, custom work will raise the price).
Stone veneer is also known as "faux stone." It’s made of cement and other materials that make it a lot lighter than actual stone. Since natural stone is more difficult to manufacture, transport, and install, a veneer fireplace costs less. Below, we’ll discuss all of the factors that play into the overall cost of a stone veneer fireplace so you can choose the best option for your home.
Average Stone Fireplace Cost
| Average Cost | High Cost | Low Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $5,250 | $10,000 | $2,500 |
Stone Fireplace Cost Factors
If you’re looking to upgrade your home with a stone fireplace, you’ll need to consider a few key cost factors when setting the budget. These include the size and type of the fireplace, whether it’s indoor or outdoor, the materials you choose, and the current labor costs.
Size
The size of your fireplace, or the size of the area you’re refacing, is a primary factor for fireplace installation cost. Installing a stone veneer over an existing fireplace costs $45 to $75 per square foot, with some designs and patterns coming in at a higher rate per square foot. Stacked stone costs $50 to $150 per square foot, and installing the entire surround with stone will cost anywhere from $750 to $4,800. All of these cost ranges have one thing in common—the bigger your fireplace, the more it costs.
| Fireplace Size (Sq. Ft.) | Stone Veneer Average Cost (Including Labor) | Stacked Stone Average Cost (Including Labor) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | $225–$375 | $250–$750 |
| 9 | $405–$675 | $450–$1,350 |
| 10.5 | $475–$790 | $525–$1,575 |
| 12 | $540–$900 | $600–$1,800 |
| 16 | $720–$1,200 | $800–$2,400 |
Type
Stone fireplace exteriors come in many shapes and sizes, with standard veneers being just one option. The materials used in the construction and design contribute to the project’s overall cost.
Veneer
Standard stone fireplace veneers cost $730 to $2,900, with an average price of $2,250 or $45 to $75 per square foot. However, custom stone veneer fireplaces are much more expensive, costing $5,000 or more. This price range fluctuates according to size, design, and quality. Costs rise dramatically if the veneer spans the height of a wall or covers an area over 50 square feet. It’s worth noting that a veneer is not the fireplace itself but rather a decorative add-on applied to a pre-existing structure.
There are plenty of reputable manufacturers in the stone veneer space. Cultured Stone is a type of veneer that costs between $4 and $20 per square foot, depending on the design. Other popular brands include Eldorado Stone and Coronado.
Stacked Stone
Stacked stone is a trendy choice for fireplaces, as it offers an elegant and rustic look and excellent durability. You’ll pay between $750 and $4,800 for the cost of a stacked stone fireplace of five to 25 square feet. As the name suggests, stones stack on top of one another in the fireplace design, and the grout is hidden from view.
Stone Surround
A stone fireplace surround costs between $3,000 and $7,500 but increases to $10,000 or higher with the use of rarer and more expensive types of stone or custom designs. The surround refers to the area around the firebox, and going with a surround made from real stone turns the fireplace into a real focal point for the room. Surrounds also include some shelving space for personal belongings, adding to their value for homeowners.
Indoor vs. Outdoor
Indoor fireplace refacing or installations are less costly than outdoor fireplace projects by 10% or so. Not every material is appropriate for outdoor use, and pros must weatherproof any remaining materials. However, many outdoor fireplaces are available as prefab models or kits, simplifying the installation process. Prefab outdoor fireplace installation costs $1,000 to $5,000 or more while outdoor-facing veneers cost $35 to $40 per square foot.
Real vs. Manufactured Stone
Manufactured stone is less expensive than real stone and boasts a lighter weight and similar durability in some cases. Real stone costs an average of $100 per square foot, while manufactured stone costs an average of $10 to $35 per square foot. The lighter weight of manufactured stone makes it easier to install, reducing your labor costs. Manufactured stone is also easier to acquire than real stone, as material delays with the latter often occur.
Custom vs. Prefab
As with any home improvement project, you’ll spend more money on a custom design than a regular, prefabricated one. A prefabricated chimney and fireplace costs between $1,200 and $4,500, while prices for a custom fireplace are virtually limitless, depending on the size, shape, and rarity of materials used.
New Fireplace vs. Insert
Installing a new stone fireplace along with the veneer costs $2,500 to $10,000 or more, leading many homeowners to opt for a more wallet-friendly fireplace insert. Fireplace inserts are fireproof boxes that offer much of the appeal of dedicated fireplaces but with fewer incidents of heat loss and an easier operation process.
Many inserts, particularly electric models, are turned on with just the push of a button. Putting in a fireplace insert costs $300 to $2,000 for a log-burning version, depending on the size, materials, and features. Additionally, installing a gas fireplace insert costs $2,000 to $5,000, and putting in an electric fireplace costs $100 to $2,200.
Mantel and Design
Design choices and mantel improvements both impact the cost here. Fireplaces are not one-size-fits-all affairs, and many homeowners choose custom builds to suit their space.
Mantels, which provide a visual flourish and increased shelf space, cost anywhere from $500 to $5,000, depending on the size, design, and materials.
Labor
When it comes to labor, you’ll pay skilled local fireplace contractors anywhere from $45 to $150 per hour. Many contractors charge by the project and not by the hour, but this hourly rate is a crucial part of how they come up with estimates. Your labor costs increase with more complex jobs requiring more contractors. Additionally, you’ll pay extra if your fireplace resides in a part of your home that is not easily accessible.
Stone Chimney Cost
A stone chimney costs $80 to $250 per linear foot, but installation can mean your total costs reach between $10,000 and $20,000. However, if you need to take down an existing one, the cost to remove a fireplace and chimney could add $1,000 to $10,000 to your project.
Does Installing a Stone Fireplace Increase Home Value?
Installing a stone fireplace is a good way to increase home value. It’s hard not to love a cozy stone hearth in the home, which will help boost perceived value and get you a better offer for your house. This is especially true if you have an old fireplace in need of refacing or remodeling. Old fireplaces can bring down your home’s value, so it’s a good idea to have it redone before trying to sell.
Budgeting for Installing a Stone Fireplace
There are a few ways you can reduce the costs of stone fireplaces to make this project more budget-friendly, including:
Opt for stone veneer over real stones, which is not only less expensive as a material but will also cost you less in labor since it’s easier to work with.
If your old fireplace is structurally sound, consider refacing it with your veneer of choice for an updated, budget-friendly look.
If you do any excavation on your property, hang onto large stones—you can save money on materials by providing your own.
Make sure to keep up with regular maintenance of the fireplace and chimney to help avoid major fireplace repair costs.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
When it comes to materials, stone is more expensive than brick, with some types of stone being slightly more expensive and others exorbitantly so. However, it’s quicker and easier to install stone for fireplace installations and veneer placement than using brick. In other words, you’ll see a slight decrease in labor costs when choosing stone.
Installing stone veneer to a fireplace is not an especially time-consuming task, requiring around two to three days of labor, with some of this time spent allowing materials to dry. However, some larger projects necessitate more labor, taking anywhere from three to six days to complete.
You can hire professional fireplace contractors or general contractors to remodel and install a fireplace. However, if you’re installing an electric or gas fireplace, you may need to hire additional experts, such as an HVAC technician, electrician, and/or a plumber, to run gas lines.
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