National Average Improvement and Repair Cost
Pro
DIY
Hours:
15.3
20
Cost:
$ 1498
$ 750
Would you do this project? According to our survey, 57% of respondents preferred DIY compared to hiring a pro.
The average price to Install a Fireplace Mantel noted above is cost data to compare a contractor’s estimate with doing it yourself.
How much to install a fireplace mantel? The contractor cost to install a fireplace mantel is $1,498 vs. doing it yourself for $750 and saving 49 percent.
A fireplace is often the focal point of a room, and giving it a facelift with a new mantel can create a dramatic impact.
This is often the case in a typical track house built with bare bones moldings or in an older home with a less than stylish mantel.
You’ll find an array of mantel styles and elements in the millwork department of home centers and lumberyards sold as components or kits. Kits typically include a shelf, surround and the pilasters that decorate the surround, and are designed with do-it-yourselfers in mind.
You’ll find several sources online, such as www.mantelsdirect.com, where you can use a mantel measuring worksheet Measuring a Mantel Fireplace Surround to determine the dimensions of the components you need.
A carpenter will install a moderately priced unfinished hardwood mantel and surround for $1,498, which includes the material and labor. A handy homeowner with some carpentry tools and experience can buy the components and install it for $750 and pocket a 49 percent saving.
Before you order any materials, make a drawing of the fireplace and take accurate measurements of the opening to determine the size and components needed. Check with your local building inspector to learn the building code requirements about spacing combustible material near the firebox opening. And don’t forget to allow additional time to finish the mantel.
That sums it up. Knowing the average cost to install a fireplace mantel lets you compare doing it yourself with what you can expect to pay a contractor.
Game for more fireplace customization? These guides might interest you:
