An insert in your old fireplace
An insert sits inside the firebox you already have and works much like a free-standing wood stove, so an old fireplace keeps its look and starts giving the room real heat.
Fireplace installation in Fresno, CA - an insert or gas unit vented the right way
Fire going but the room still cold? We fit an insert or vented gas unit that sends exhaust out and keeps the heat inside.
- Licensed and insured.
- Free on-site estimates.
- We respond within 1 business day.
What putting in a fireplace or insert involves
Fireplace installation in Fresno, CA means putting in a new fireplace or fitting an insert, a unit built to sit inside the firebox where your fire burns now, so you end up with a fireplace you'll actually use. Mastercraft Fresno Concrete and Masonry does this work in Fresno and the cities around it, including Clovis, Madera, Selma, Sanger and Kingsburg.
Most calls start with an old fireplace that hasn't been lit in years, or a room that never had one. What moves the price is the kind of fireplace you have now, whether you want gas or wood, how far the vent has to run and whether the chimney needs chimney repair first, and the schedule mostly turns on that repair and the city permit. We're licensed and insured, and when the job needs a permit we file it with the city and handle the paperwork. I'll come look at all of it and put your price in writing.
I write your estimate myself
I come out to look at your fireplace and write the estimate myself, so the person pricing the job is the one who knows what the chimney and firebox need.
Our own crew does the work
Our own crew does the install, with a lead mason running it on site, so the brick and stone around your firebox and hearth is laid by people who do this for a living.
A small fix when that's enough
If a repair to the firebox or chimney gets you what you're after, I'll tell you that before I'd sell you a new unit. We've worked that way since 2013.
How we install an insert or gas fireplace
First we figure out what kind of fireplace you already have, because that decides which insert or gas unit can go in at all. Then we check the firebox and chimney, since a cracked flue liner, the lining inside the chimney, or loose brick has to be fixed before anything new goes in. We plan the vent route with you and keep it clear of anything that can burn, like framing, trim or a wood mantel, because heat in the wrong spot is how vent fires start. Our crew sets the unit, builds or repairs the hearth and surround, runs it with you and cleans up before we leave.
A new insert often looks best with a fresh face around it, and stone veneer installation gives you the look of stone without rebuilding the whole wall. If the fireplace is going against an outside wall or out on the patio, it needs a solid base and walls to sit in, which is the same footing and block work we do on concrete block walls.
Picking the right fireplace for your house
A direct-vent gas unit
A direct-vent unit draws outside air into the firebox and sends the exhaust outside, then pushes the warm air into the room. Its vent goes out a side wall or the roof.
A brick or stone fireplace
A traditional fireplace is built of brick or stone right on site by a mason, so it can be sized and finished to match your house, though it costs more than a factory unit.
A factory-built unit on a budget
Factory-built fireplaces, which the trade calls low mass, come ready to install and are common in new US homes, so they're the lower-cost choice when the budget is tight.
Get a written fireplace price at your house
Send the form and we'll get back to you within one business day to set a time. I'll come look at your fireplace and give you the price in writing, free and with no obligation.
Tell us what fireplace you have
Let us know if it's an old brick fireplace, a factory-built unit or no fireplace yet, so I show up with the right questions and take the right measurements.
Say whether you want gas or wood
Gas and wood need different units and different vents, so knowing which way you lean lets me price the options that actually fit your room.
Satisfaction guaranteed on every job
That's our promise on every fireplace we put in, from the first look at your chimney to the cleanup after our crew packs up.
Fireplace and masonry finish ideas
Brick, stone veneer and block surrounds, hearth layouts and insert faces you can point to when we talk through your own fireplace.
Fireplace installation questions from Fresno homeowners
Straight answers on cost, permits, inserts and upkeep, the things people ask me most when I'm standing in front of their fireplace.
How much does a gas fireplace insert cost to install in Fresno?
Across the US, a gas fireplace insert installed with materials and professional labor usually costs about $2,300 to $8,000 for the complete project. That range is the market's, not our price. Your number depends on the unit, the vent route and any chimney work, and the free estimate gives it to you in writing.
Can I put any insert in my factory-built fireplace?
No, a factory-built fireplace, also called zero-clearance, needs an insert designed and tested for that exact unit. If you can find the maker and model on the label or in your house papers, have it ready at the estimate so we can match the insert to it.
How do I get a permit for a gas fireplace in Fresno?
You or an authorized agent, such as your contractor, apply at the city's Building and Safety Permit Counter. Fresno requires a permit to install, alter or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, and that covers the gas work on an insert or direct-vent unit. You file plans for the city to review or a form listing the fixtures and equipment.
How often should a gas fireplace be inspected?
A gas fireplace should be checked once a year. A yearly check covers the firebox, the venting, the dampers and the chimney, so problems get caught before they turn costly or dangerous. In Fresno, early fall before the first cold nights is a good time to book it.
Is a fireplace insert warmer than an open fireplace?
Yes, usually by a lot. Most traditional open fireplaces lose over 90 percent of the fire's heat up the chimney, along with much of the room's warm air. An insert keeps that heat in the room, which is why people who want real warmth on winter evenings usually go that way.
Are vent-free gas logs a good idea for my fireplace?
The EPA doesn't support vent-free gas logs, because of concerns about indoor air quality. These are gas logs sold to burn with no outside vent, so what the flame gives off stays in the room. A vented insert or direct-vent unit sends the exhaust outside, and that's the setup we'd steer you toward.
Book a look at your fireplace
Call (559) 319-0148 any day until 9 PM, or use the form, and we'll set a time to look at your fireplace.