Having a custom fireplace in your home is somewhat of a new concept, but it’s an extremely popular one. So what got you thinking about a custom fireplace? Maybe you went over to your neighbors and saw their custom fireplace and mantle, with flagstones everywhere, and a beautiful floating mantle. Or maybe you are remodeling your home, and that custom fireplace with ceramic tile surrounding it is the last puzzle piece in your perfect home. Maybe you are trying to sell your home, and realized that your custom fireplace is what would set your home apart from the competition. No matter how you look at it, having a custom fireplace is a great choice, and we are here to tell you why.
Selling Your Home? Add a Fireplace
There are many home improvement projects that you might be considering in order to increase the value of your home before selling. While some of those improvements may be valuable, others might not help at all. For example, adding a fresh coat of paint to every room would be a good way to increase the value of your home because cost is fairly easy to make up and it helps clean up the room. Others, like adding a new addition or replacing windows, might not be such a good idea because the time and costs could be difficult to recoup when it comes time to sell. When you are thinking about what home improvements to make before selling, you should be sure that they will, in fact, increase the value of your home. One improvement that will undoubtedly increase the home’s value is adding a fireplace or replacing an old one.
In a study conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), it was discovered that 77% of homebuyers are looking for a fireplace in the family room of their new home because they feel that is where the most time will be spent with their family. The living room was the next preferred location among homebuyers, with 50% reporting they would like to have a hearth in this room for visitors and guests to enjoy.
Our fireplaces are some of the most custom, unique, and intriguing ever made. If you don’t know what exactly you are looking for in a fireplace, you can view our custom work HERE. Our grand fireplaces feature elegant details that will add beauty and comfort to your home. They will also make your home feel more inviting and luxurious. Just by adding a fireplace like ours, a home seller could raise the price of their home up to 12% (National Association of Real Estate Appraisers).
How do I know which fireplace to install in the home I am selling?
Of course, you can’t know for sure what the homebuyer will want when it comes to the fireplace in your home. Chances are that they will like the overall appearance of your house and it’s the overall picture that will sell the home. The fireplace will add value and perhaps even push the sale so when you are trying to decide what fireplace to install in your house, you can consider a few things:
The overall style of your home.
The colors that you have throughout.
The area in which the house is located.
The function of each particular room.
Prospective homebuyers desire fireplaces and they will be looking closely at the fireplace (or lack thereof) in your home. Do you like what you see? If not, contact one of our experts HERE, who can help design a custom fireplace for your home. These days there are hundreds of style choices for fire features that can add a unique and modern artistic flair to any home. For example, a see through fireplace puts all of the focus on the flames as they sit front and center in the room depending on the placement. Typically, these fireplaces will have multiple sides with some even connecting an indoor with an outdoor space for a seamless look. If a more classic or even rustic wood burning fireplace is more what you have in mind, that’s all right too.
Homebuyers love the cozy feel of a fireplace during the cooler seasons. The glow of a fireplace is inviting, puts off a positive vibe, and makes any space feel more homey and welcoming. How many times have you walked into your family’s, friends, or neighbors house during the holidays, and observed a custom fireplace crackling happily in the corner, adding the final touch to a warm, cozy home? Probably more times than not.
A fireplace is a pleasing addition to any room. There is an instant draw to a room with a fireplace. The visual appeal of the amber glow coupled with the beauty of an attractive fireplace structure is just irresistible. In fact, one study showed 46% of homebuyers were willing to pay up to $5,000 more for a home if there was at least one fireplace.
Gas or Wood?
Now that you have decided to install a custom fireplace, the million dollar question is, “Should I put a gas fireplace in, or a wood burning fireplace?”
Wood burning fireplaces require the homeowner to keep fuel (wood) on hand to make use of the fireplace. The front of the fireplace is open, often surrounded by a cage for added safety. The crackle and smell of a wood-burning fireplace are soothing and even mesmerizing to many people. It also requires more maintenance- eliminating soot and ash buildup is a constant and messy job during the winter months.
So is a gas fireplace worth it? Yes! Gas fireplaces have come a long way in an effort to provide a safe environment and a hassle-free fireplace for all to enjoy. Today’s gas fireplace can be a powerful source of heat and improve your home’s energy efficiency while adding ambiance to any and every room.
Whichever style you have, wood vs gas fireplace resale value is high for both. If your old fireplace needs an update to increase value, look into a fireplace remodel to see if it’s a more frugal option for you.
There are several polls to debate wood vs gas fireplace resale value. 54% of real estate agents surveyed by Angie’s List said a gas burning fireplace increases home values most. Conversely, 58% of homeowners and homebuyers surveyed prefer a wood burning fireplace.
Perhaps you’re wondering, “Does an electric fireplace add value to a home?” Of course! The bottom line is clear- the fireplace increase home value question is answered- any style of fireplace is desirable in a home. If you’re selling your home, either consider a fireplace remodel or install a new fireplace in a common room to sell faster.
Home Value Tips for Adding a Fireplace
A fireplace situated in the room of the house that is most frequently used helps to increase potential buyer-appeal. Adding a fireplace in your office or kitchen is also a great idea, if the space is enhanced by the addition. You can add a dramatic effect with a fireplace that matches a masonry fireplace, if you have a gas fireplace installed between two rooms, providing warmth and cozy ambiance to both spaces.
It is generally said that whatever amount you spend adding a fireplace to your home is money you’ll get back when you sell, due to increased home value that directly results from having the popular amenity.
Be sure to schedule routine inspection and maintenance with our chimney professionals, to protect the investment you have in your fireplace.
What if I already have a fireplace?
It is now widely recognized that traditional older fireplaces are terribly inefficient. Usually, more than 90% of the heat from an open fireplace goes up the chimney. If you have a fireplace insert installed, however, the efficiency rating goes to about 75% which is a wonderful improvement. By having a custom fireplace insert installed, you can transform your fireplace into a viable heat source during winter. It’s possible to cut the cost of winter utilities, with a fireplace insert upgrade.
How does my home location affect fireplace value?
Not surprisingly, the demand for fireplaces varies regionally. The prevalence of a fireplace seems to be based on a combination of climate and home prices. The Pacific Coast, which includes Southern California, has the fewest amount of homes with at least one fireplace (36%), followed by the mountain region (38%), and then the fair-weather South Atlantic, spanning from Florida up to the southern border of Pennsylvania.
The regions with the most homes with at least one fireplace are the chilly mid-Atlantic (57%) and the west north central U.S. (56%). Encompassing New York and New Jersey, the mid-Atlantic also has a large market for luxury homes over $500,000.
Now that you have done some research into having a custom fireplace, and have decided that it is worth having a custom fireplace, reach out to one of our Heat Experts, and schedule a consultation today!
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