What to expect when you're expecting a fireplace installation

These days, homeowners aren’t given the one option of a fireplace framed by Edwardian-style mantel pieces. Nowadays, they can fit seamlessly into your wall, achieving the penultimate in minimalism, or sometimes they suspend from the ceiling, harking a little more avant-garde. No matter where you prefer your fireplace, there's always a question about the installation process and just how much it will cost.  

Starting as a plumbing business in 1964, Heatrite began as a craft, then harnessed to curate and fill a noticeable gap in the market with a quality retail outlet specialising in bathroom and heating - essentially, a one-stop shop for homeowners looking to explore different products and gain some advice along the way. Now, one of the largest specialised bathroom and heating display centres in New Zealand, we turn to experts in the industry, Hayden and Chris Ryan of Heatrite, to decipher everything you need to know about fireplace installations, discussing wood versus gas, cost expectations, and whether you can install it yourself.

First and foremost, is there advice you can give buyers deciding between wood fire or gas? 

Typically, we find that it comes down to people's access: some places don’t have access to firewood, and some places don't have access to gas, so it's making sure your chosen fuel source is accessible to you. You've also got things like the age factor - people in their later years might not want a wood fire because they don't want to be carting firewood back and forth or organising it. They might enjoy the convenience of just pushing a button to turn the fire on. It also comes down to the amount of heat the person requires - wood produces around three to four times more heat than gas.

Aesthetics would probably play quite a big part in it as well? 

Definitely - some people just love the crackling fire and the flames!

Are there any tips or tricks for homeowners to know before purchasing their fireplaces?

The main thing is to make a strong decision about what you want - whether you want an excellent heat source or aesthetics is the first thing to decide. And then you can build from there, looking at suitability for location - you can put gas fires in many places where you can't put wood fires, and vice versa. Decide on the exact location where your heat source will be placed in the house, and then you can get the ball rolling.

How much does a fireplace installation typically cost & what are the factors?

All installations are different, but for a standard and straightforward installation, costs could start at $2,000 - $2,500 - that includes your flashings and all the bits and pieces. Anything outside the standard and straightforward installation is when the price increases. The main contributor that affects the price is generally the length of the flu, so if you've got a long flu run (you may need to get above a few storeys), that's when your costs start going up. With a gas appliance, it's the same thing with the flu run and getting a gas line to it, so if the gas line you need to run extends, your cost will increase. 

Can buyers install the fireplace themselves?

You can't install gas fires yourself; you need to be a qualified gas fitter. For wood fires, you can, but we wouldn't recommend a non-trades person putting it in because you need basic trade knowledge to be able to install it. With wood fires, they also need the Council’s sign-off, so a Council Inspector will come and inspect the job afterwards, making sure everything's all sound, and then they will sign it off - that's where the compliance comes into it. You can put it in yourself, but you want a good base of trade knowledge before you do it... I probably wouldn't recommend it. [laughs]. 

Is there any ‘aftercare’ following your fireplace installation?

Annual maintenance is vital with wood fires and gas fires. You need to get them both serviced annually - especially wood fires because they can get a significant build-up in the flu system, which can cause chimney fires. Heatrite provides a complete maintenance report, so the customers have a copy that they can give to their insurance company confirming that the fireplace was serviced properly, annually, and that it's safe and up to spec. 

You can also repaint wood fires; give them a good sand down, spray and paint, and they come up new again - it can make quite a difference!

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