Fireplace installation in San Rafael CA - an insert built for the firebox you have
Your fireplace looks nice but barely heats the room. We fit an insert or vented gas unit made for the fireplace you already have.
I start by checking whether you have a masonry fireplace or a factory-built one, because that decides which inserts will fit. For a gas unit, we plan where the vent runs before anything gets ordered.
- Fully licensed and insured.
- Free on-site estimates.
- We respond within 1 business day.
Real heat from the fireplace you have
I see every fireplace
I come out to look at your fireplace myself, and our own crew of masons does the install with me on site.
Licensed and insured in California
We're fully licensed and insured, and the state license board counts fire brick and heat-resistant work as masonry.
What does fireplace installation in San Rafael involve?
Fireplace installation in San Rafael usually means fitting an insert into the fireplace you already have, so it puts real heat into the room instead of just looking nice. An insert sits in the firebox and works a lot like a wood stove, which matters because most open fireplaces are poor heaters. The price moves with the type of insert, the fuel you choose and how much labor your fireplace and vent take. The schedule mostly turns on whether you need a permit and how long the city's review runs, and my written estimate lists what's included so you can plan around it.
How do you know your fireplace needs an insert?
The room stays cold
You light a fire and the room barely warms up, because an open fireplace sends much of its heat up the chimney. An insert keeps that heat in the room.
Smoke drifts into the house
A fireplace that puffs smoke into the room or leaves a smell behind isn't drafting the way it should. It's worth having it looked at before the next fire.
Black tar in the flue
Shiny black buildup on the flue lining is creosote, which forms from slow, smoldering fires. Once it catches, it burns extremely hot, so don't ignore it.
Cracked brick in the firebox
Cracked fire brick or loose mortar inside the firebox should be fixed before an insert goes in, since that's the part of the fireplace taking the heat.
How a fireplace installation runs, start to finish
Call or send a message
- Call (628) 234-2038 or use the form
- Tell us masonry or factory-built
- Say whether you want wood or gas
- We set a time to come look
I come out and look
- I see your fireplace myself
- You hear on the spot what I'd do
- Gas venting gets planned at this visit
- Written estimate shows what's included
Permit, then the install
- Start date set around the permit
- City lists two to six weeks
- Streamlined review can take a few days
- Our masons install with me there
Final check and walk-through
- I check the work before we pack up
- We clean up the hearth area
- We show you how it runs
- Final inspection when a permit applies
Get a free fireplace installation estimate
Tell us whether your fireplace is masonry or factory-built and if you want wood or gas. We reply within one business day to set up a free on-site estimate, with no obligation.
Fireplace insert questions we hear
Here are straight answers to what San Rafael homeowners ask before an install. If yours isn't here, call (628) 234-2038 and ask me.
How much does a fireplace insert cost in San Rafael?
Across the US, a fireplace insert usually costs about $700 to $6,500 per job, and that's the national market, not a quote from us. Where yours lands depends on the insert, fuel and labor I described above, and my written estimate lays it out. Satisfaction guaranteed on every job.
Will any insert fit my factory-built fireplace?
No, a factory-built or zero-clearance fireplace needs an insert designed and tested for that specific unit. Shopping only among inserts made for yours also helps it run more efficiently and pollute less, which is why I figure out what you have before we talk models.
Can a gas fireplace insert vent without a chimney?
Yes, a gas unit can vent directly through the roof or the wall behind it instead of using an existing chimney. What we won't install is a gas unit made to run with no outside vent, because EPA doesn't support them over indoor air quality, and they're illegal in some places.
Do I need a permit for a fireplace insert in San Rafael?
Ask the city first, because San Rafael's quick-issue permit list names furnace and wall heater change-outs, not fireplace installation. We check with the city's building permit office and handle the paperwork and inspections when a permit is needed. Skipping one costs more, since the city adds fees for unpermitted work and a permit after the fact doesn't approve work that fails code.
How long does fireplace installation take in San Rafael?
The permit is usually the longest wait, not the install, and the city's review times are in our steps above. Missing information or unmet requirements stretch that review, so we send the application complete and set your install date around it.
What should I ask before hiring someone to install a fireplace insert?
EPA advises having any stove installed by a certified technician and inspected every year, so ask any installer about certification and plan for a yearly check. It's also fair to ask how the vent keeps its required air space from wood framing, since one vent maker names missed clearances as a major cause of vent fires.
Work that often goes with it
- Service
Chimney repair
If the chimney above your fireplace has loose brick, a cracked crown or leaks, fixing it before the insert goes in keeps the new unit venting through sound masonry.
Read more Chimney repair - Service
Stone veneer installation
When the brick around the firebox looks tired, a stone face over it gives you a new fireplace wall while the insert takes care of the heat.
Read more Stone veneer installation - Service
Outdoor kitchen masonry
If you'd rather have the fire outside, we build outdoor kitchens and fire features on concrete block walls faced in brick or stone.
Read more Outdoor kitchen masonry
Get a free estimate for your fireplace
Request an estimate- VisitSan Rafael, CA 94901
- Call(628) 234-2038
- Emailteam@sanrafaelconcreteandmasonry.com
- HoursMon–Fri: 8 AM–9 PM, Sat–Sun: 6 AM–9 PM
Serving San Rafael and nearby cities
We're based in San Rafael and install fireplace inserts in Novato, Mill Valley and other cities nearby. Pick your city below, or call if yours isn't listed.