Fireplace Remodeling and Renovation Services

Your fireplace works fine, but every time you look at it, you see that outdated brass trim from 1987 staring back at you. Or maybe it’s the brick facade that looked great in the ’70s but now just feels tired. Here’s the thing: a fireplace renovation can completely transform your living space without tearing down walls or breaking the bank.

We’ve remodeled hundreds of fireplaces across the Kansas City metro, and most homeowners are surprised by just how dramatic the change can be. It’s not just about aesthetics either, though that’s usually what gets people to finally pick up the phone.

Why Kansas City Homeowners Renovate Their Fireplaces

The reasons vary, but they usually fall into a few categories. Some folks are dealing with legitimate safety issues like cracked fireboxes or deteriorating chimneys that need addressing anyway. If you’re already doing the work, why not upgrade the look while you’re at it?

Others are preparing to sell and know that dated fireplace is hurting their home’s value. Real estate agents will tell you that fireplaces are still a major selling point in our market, but only if they don’t look like a time capsule. A fireplace from three decades ago signals to buyers that other updates probably haven’t been done either.

Then there’s the simple fact that your tastes have changed. What seemed elegant in 2005 might feel fussy now. You want something cleaner, more modern, or maybe you’re going the opposite direction and want something with more character and warmth.

What Actually Goes Into a Fireplace Remodel

The scope depends entirely on what you’re starting with and where you want to end up. Some projects are purely cosmetic. We’ll remove that old facade, update the surround, swap out the mantel, and you’ve got what looks like a completely different fireplace. This type of renovation might take two to three days and costs significantly less than a full rebuild.

Other jobs are more involved. If your firebox is damaged or inefficient, we might need to rebuild it or install a new insert. This is especially common with older masonry fireplaces that were built before modern efficiency standards. Those beautiful old fireplaces can suck heated air right up the chimney, which isn’t great when you’re paying Kansas City Gas to keep your house warm during a January cold snap.

Sometimes the chimney itself needs work. We’ve opened up walls on renovation jobs and found crumbling mortar, missing flue liners, or structural issues that weren’t visible from the outside. Nobody wants to discover these problems, but it’s better to find them during a planned renovation than after a chimney fire.

Popular Renovation Styles We’re Seeing

Trends shift, but right now we’re doing a lot of modern farmhouse conversions. Out goes the ornate carved mantel and busy brick pattern. In comes smooth painted brick (usually white or gray), a chunky wood beam for a mantel, and clean lines throughout. It’s a look that works well in both older KC homes and newer construction.

Stone veneer is still popular, particularly stacked stone that gives texture without overwhelming the space. We’re also seeing more people go bold with dark painted brick or even black tile surrounds. Done right, it creates a striking focal point without feeling too heavy.

For homeowners with craftsman-style or older homes, there’s been a push to restore fireplaces to something more period-appropriate. This might mean sourcing reclaimed brick, installing vintage-style tile, or recreating architectural details that were covered up in a previous renovation. These projects take more time because we’re often custom-fabricating elements, but the results can be stunning.

The Gas Insert Question

A lot of fireplace renovations include converting from wood to gas, and I get why. Gas is convenient, clean, and you don’t have to haul wood or clean out ashes. But here’s what most homeowners don’t realize: you’re still going to need regular chimney maintenance even with a gas insert.

Gas burns cleaner than wood, but it still produces moisture and combustion byproducts that can deteriorate your chimney liner over time. Plus, animals don’t know you’ve switched to gas. They’ll still try to nest in your chimney if it’s not capped properly.

That said, modern gas inserts are miles ahead of the ones from even ten years ago. They’re efficient, they put out real heat, and many look remarkably realistic if that’s important to you. We install them regularly as part of renovation projects, and most customers are happy with the switch.

Timeline and Living Through the Renovation

A straightforward cosmetic renovation might only disrupt your life for a few days. We’ll protect your floors, contain the dust as much as possible, and usually have you back to normal by the end of the week.

More extensive projects involving structural work, new inserts, or chimney repairs can stretch to two weeks or longer. The actual demo and installation might only take a few days, but there’s often drying time for mortar, multiple coats of paint or sealant, and coordination with inspectors.

Timing matters in Kansas City. We can work year-round, but nobody wants their fireplace torn apart in December when you actually want to use it. Spring and fall tend to be our busiest seasons for renovation work. Summer isn’t bad either, especially since you won’t miss the fireplace while we’re working on it.

The Budget Reality

I hate when contractors dodge the cost question, so here’s the reality. A basic cosmetic update might run $2,000 to $5,000. That gets you new facing materials, an updated mantel, and professional installation.

Mid-range renovations with some structural work, a new gas insert, or custom elements typically land between $5,000 and $12,000. High-end projects with extensive custom work, premium materials, or significant chimney repairs can push past $15,000.

These are broad ranges because every fireplace is different. The only way to get an accurate number is to have someone look at your specific situation. We always provide detailed estimates before starting work so there aren’t surprises later.

DIY or Hire It Out?

Look, I’m all for DIY projects. Some aspects of fireplace renovation are absolutely doable if you’re handy. Painting brick? Sure, with the right prep and materials. Building and installing a new wood mantel? If you’ve got woodworking skills, go for it.

But anything involving the firebox, chimney structure, or gas lines needs to be done by licensed professionals. This is safety stuff. A improperly installed gas line or damaged flue liner can create carbon monoxide issues or chimney fires. It’s not worth the risk, and most insurance companies won’t cover damage from DIY work on these systems anyway.

We’ve been called in to fix a lot of botched DIY fireplace jobs. Sometimes the fixes cost more than if we’d done it right the first time. Just saying.

Getting Started With Your Project

If you’re thinking about renovating your fireplace, start by figuring out what you actually want. Collect photos of styles you like. Think about how you use the space and what isn’t working. Is it purely aesthetic, or are there functional issues too?

Then call someone who knows chimneys and fireplaces, not just general contractors. The structural and safety components require specific expertise. We’ll assess what you’ve got, explain what’s possible, and help you understand the tradeoffs between different approaches.

We’ve been doing this work throughout Kansas City and the surrounding areas for years. Whether you’re in an older home in Brookside with a fireplace that needs love or a newer build in Lee’s Summit where you just want to update the look, we can help figure out the right approach for your situation and budget. Give us a call, and let’s talk about what’s possible with your space.