Built-in fireplace or fireplace insert installation

An inset fireplace: fire in the wall, warmth in the house

A built-in fireplace or inset stove fits seamlessly into the wall or a custom false chimney breast: no bulky appliance taking up space, just a wide, calming flame picture as the natural centrepiece of the room. Modern wood or pellet built-in fireplaces achieve an efficiency of 75 to 85 percent, a world away from traditional open fires, keeping the flame safely behind glass and directing heat right into the room.

We handle the complete installation under one roof: the fireplace from 1.500 to 4.000 euro, the chimney breast with insulation and convection vents, the flue system and the final finish. You get one fixed price upfront and one single warranty covering everything, from the steel insert to the paint on the wall.

A built-in fireplace is half construction, half heating technology: combining both skills in one team ensures a fire without compromises.

How we install your built-in fireplace

1. Step 1: design and home survey

   We assess the location, flue route and required heat output, designing the surround together with you. Within 48 hours, you receive a fixed quote for the entire project, fully itemised for easy comparison.

2. Step 2: chimney breast construction or preparation

   The surround is built using fire-rated board, fully insulated with proper convection vents at the bottom and top. If an existing recess or fireplace opening exists, we adapt it for the new insert, usually within a single working day.

3. Step 3: connecting the fireplace and flue

   The insert is levelled and sealed gas-tight to the flue system, whether newly installed or relined through an existing chimney. We also install an external air supply so the stove does not draw oxygen from your living space. For modern insulated homes, we standardly recommend an external air intake of 80 to 100 millimeter.

4. Step 4: finishing, test burn and certification

   We finish the wall to a paint-ready level, run a test fire, adjust the controls and provide full certification. We guide you through the first burn with tailored instructions, as a new insert requires 2 to 3 gentle initial curing fires.

Wood or pellets in the wall?

A wood-burning insert offers the classic crackling fire and requires a 150 to 180 millimeter flue. A pellet insert provides programmable control, even heat and an 80 millimeter flue, fitted via our built-in pellet stove installation service. If you are undecided, we can compare both options regarding running costs and comfort during our consultation, helping you choose what best suits your lifestyle.

How much does an installed built-in fireplace cost?

The fire insert costs 1.500 to 4.000 euro, installation including surround construction, insulation and finishing ranges from 1.000 to 2.500 euro, while flue costs depend on the setup: relining costs 900 to 1.800 euro, or a new twin-wall flue system ranges from 1.500 to 3.000 euro.

Why the chimney breast construction is crucial

An insert becomes very hot, and everything surrounding it must withstand these temperatures: fireproof board, insulation that redirects heat into the room rather than absorbing it into the wall, and convection vents that ensure proper air circulation. A poorly built surround lowers efficiency and creates a fire hazard, which is why we always build them ourselves using our own team and certified materials, following Buildwise standards and regulations.

Design: modern, classic or with a floating bench

The surround shapes your interior: a minimalist flush wall, a classic fireplace mantle, an elevated fire at eye level, or a wide wall with integrated log storage and a floating bench alongside it. Wide inserts exceeding 80 centimetre and corner models with glass on two sides unlock design possibilities that freestanding stoves simply cannot match.

Reusing an existing chimney

If the built-in fireplace is installed in place of an old open fire, relining the existing chimney is the most efficient option, usually 800 to 1.200 euro cheaper than building a completely new route, provided by our chimney lining service: faster, more affordable, and requiring no structural work to external walls or roof. If no chimney exists, our twin-wall flue installation service installs a flue along the facade or through the roof within the same schedule.

Converting an open fire to a built-in insert

If you currently have an open fireplace, converting to an insert is one of the smartest home upgrades: efficiency increases from a mere 10 to 15 percent to 75 to 85 percent, retaining the exact same authentic ambience behind glass. This full conversion, including flue lining and finishing, is handled by our fireplace conversion service with transparent fixed prices. You can receive quotes for both options during a single design visit.

Maintenance taken care of from day one

A built-in fireplace also requires annual servicing and chimney sweeping, which we schedule a year in advance just like with freestanding stoves. To learn how to burn efficiently from day one, read our guide on proper stove operation: our combined service package of 160 to 250 euro covers both the stove and the flue.