How much value will a wood burning fireplace add to a brownstone?
I was just wondering how much value is generated by the addition of a wood burning fireplace to a single family brownstone. We have an old gas one that is now strictly ornamental. I know that the conversion to wood, and the necessarry chimney and plaster work would cost $5-6,000. Would that expense be recoverable…
I was just wondering how much value is generated by the addition of a wood burning fireplace to a single family brownstone. We have an old gas one that is now strictly ornamental. I know that the conversion to wood, and the necessarry chimney and plaster work would cost $5-6,000. Would that expense be recoverable in a potential sale?
Like most folks I think that a woodburning fireplace is a delightful amenity, but I do wonder, how much pollution do they cause?
Wouldn’t that be an issue? I would imagine that with so many folks wanting to have a woodburning fireplace these days, soon Brooklyn air quality would be very affected
during the Fall and Winter months…
Maybe modern installations of the WB fireplaces keep the pollution to a minimum?
I’m curious..
Just did it, love it, photographed it all over the place on this site (search “fireplace renovation” and you should find it).
The shortest and best answer to your question about whether it’s worth it: “WBF” is the second or third amenity listed in every real estate listing that has one. It is soooooo worth it. Just be sure you get it done well.
I had a working fireplace in my former place and it was nice — I used it 2x a year and the flue couldn’t handle more than a duraflame log and I had to keep the window open a crack to create a correct airflow. The specialist I got to check out the flue told me that it couldn’t handle much in the way of fuel, so I had to be careful not to fill up my living room with smoke. My neighbor who didn’t get it used to somehow would cause smoke conditions in our hallway every time they started a fire. Kind of erodes the romance of things… You really need to make sure that you have a pro to make sure the flue is in good shape or you seriously increase your risk of fire.
Ask your insurance agent while you’re at it.
OP here:
to 4:19– “who cares about $5K?”
Umm, me. I’m very thankful that I’m in a position to even contemplate such an expenditure, but (oh, the shame) not in a position to make it without seriously considering the possible ROI.
“working fireplace” is a nice attribute to have in a listing. Even if it doesn’t add value, it will add interest to your listing when you sell, and differentiate your place. That might be enough to swing a buyer- since it adds charm. In that case, the value is clear as a selling point.
We’ve used ours once. It’s a messy way to heat an apt.
Weigh the pros and cons. Personally, I don’t like the increased fire risk is presents to me and my neighbors, but aesthetically it could be beautiful and decreases energy costs. Agree w/ the above posters, don’t worry about home value, in this case.
I agree with 4:19. If you’re planning on living in your house for a while, and would like the working fireplace, then do it. Don’t think into the future that much–after all, it’s only a fireplace.
why don’t you ask yourself if adding one would enhance your quality of life by adding to the enjoyment of your home?
most brownstones go for $1M+. who cares about $5K?
the bottom line is when you sell your house, you will NEVER know if you recouped the money or not, since it’s a drop in the bucket and the sale price is dependent on about a million other factors.
so why not do it if it will make you happy?