A fireplace will certainly add value to any home, even if it is seemingly in disrepair. If your fireplace is starting to look a little shabby, it might be time to consider a remodel and increasing the value of your living areas. You’d hate to make what should be an asset a liability, and that is exactly what is happening with some of these outdated fireplaces you see in otherwise modern homes.
A fireplace remodel is completely possible to do on a budget, or, if you have a DIY spirit, as a solo project. First, deciding on the style you want for your remodel is where it should all start – it’ll subsequently get harder from there. This part of the process will help you determine if it’s a tear down and rip out, a simple paint job, or maybe the existing fireplace just needs an update – there are several ways you can go about this and remodel your fireplace.
Whatever you choose, make sure it stays on the same stylistic plane as the rest of the house. But, before you get too far ahead of yourself, finds out some tips and tricks on how to remodel a fireplace.​
 

Brick

Brick is a popular choice for fireplaces, as many homeowners love the look and feel of exposed brick. However, brick is not immune to flake and crumble after year of use and will eventually require some upkeep. Yet, brick fireplaces are far and away the most popular choice when it comes to fireplace remodeling today.
All eyes are naturally drawn to a fireplace, so you are going to want to keep your brick in pristine condition. A homeowner should determine the benefits and disadvantages of exposed brick to help better understand the nuances of this extraordinary room centerpiece. If it’s in relatively good shape, then restoration might be as simple as a white wash to help brighten them up. But, it might not be that easy, as you may need to replace and overhaul much of the brick, a more extensive fireplace remodel.
 

Paint Job

This is the easiest and most cost effective of fireplace remedies – a simple paint job. Often, a fireplace remodel is mostly an aesthetic choice, so it makes sense that you may not need to change all that much (if anything) about the structure of your fireplace. A fresh coat of paint can make your fireplace and surrounds look years younger.
While some don’t like to the look of painted over brick or tile, it is the cheapest option available. And, most importantly, it’s one that can easily be upgraded or changed in various ways down the line. So, if you don’t love it, there will be plenty of opportunity to improve it when it becomes more feasible.
 

Mantle

A quality fireplace mantel can transform any stale fireplace into a stunning selling point for your den or living room. Depending on the scale of the mantel, it can significantly ramp up the resale value of your home. It’s recommended that you hire a contractor with some dry-walling experience, assuming you don’t have the kind of DIY chops (which would be rare) to accomplish this yourself.
Make sure you use a contractor who can give you detailed renderings of the design plans, this way you will have an idea of what your remodeled fireplace will look like before spending all that money. And, if you plaster over with drywall before you install a new mantel, the dried over plaster will serve as a nice canvas where you can do virtually anything you want – stylistically speaking. For a high quality mantel, including installation (assuming this isn’t a complete rip out of the existing fireplace), you will be looking at anywhere from $800 to $1000. But, what the mantel brings to your home could be worth significantly more.
 

Rip Out

It’s likely that your fireplace remodel may require a gutting and rip out before you start your remodel. This can happen for a variety of reasons, with the main one being the condition that the overall structure is in from a health and safety standpoint. It could be old and decrepit, or possibly you’re renovating a house in which nobody has lived for quite some time.
Whatever the reason may be, a full-scale rip out could be a blessing in disguise – in the long run. Why is this a good opportunity to remodel your fireplace? Well, assuming you have somewhat of a budget (as you should because fireplaces are mostly for aesthetic reasons nowadays) this then allows you to attack this remodeling project from any angle you’d like, letting you inject your own personal sense of style. It should almost go without saying that this will be the most expensive and extensive fireplace remodel project.
Whether you determine if it’s a tear down and rip out, a simple paint job, or maybe just an update, there are plenty of ways to go when it comes to remodeling your fireplace. If you’re not too familiar with extensive DIY projects, have a contractor come take a look to determine if you can pull this off yourself – likely you’ll need an extra pair of hands.

Finally, don’t get intimidated if the scope of the project looks too big or ambitious. If the time has come to consider a remodel just know: there is more than one way to remodel a fireplace.
 
Have you ever remodeled a fireplace?
What are your favorite tips?
Share your thoughts and comments with us.
 

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