Quick Answer: Electric fireplace installation costs range from $0 for a plug-in freestanding unit (just the price of the fireplace itself) up to $1,500-$3,000+ for a professionally installed recessed built-in, according to 2026 cost data from HomeGuide and Angi. Wall-mounted units typically run $500-$2,500+ installed, and inserts replacing an old firebox cost $200-$2,000. The single biggest cost swing is whether you need a dedicated electrical circuit — that alone averages $650-$700 when an electrician is required, per HomeGuide.
Unlike a gas fireplace, an electric fireplace never needs a chimney, gas line, or venting — which is exactly why installation costs vary so wildly by type. A freestanding unit can cost nothing beyond its price tag, while a recessed built-in with new wiring can run into the thousands. Here’s what actually drives the number.
Installation cost by fireplace type
| Type | Unit cost | Installation cost | Electrician needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding / stove | $200-$1,500 | $0 | No |
| TV stand / mantel | $270-$2,100 | $0-$100 | No |
| Wall-mounted (surface) | $300-$1,500 | $200-$1,000 | Sometimes |
| Insert (replacing old firebox) | $200-$1,700 | $0-$300 | Rarely |
| Recessed built-in | $500-$2,000 | $1,000-$1,500+ | Usually |
Cost ranges compiled from HomeGuide’s 2026 electric fireplace cost data and Angi’s 2026 fireplace installation report. Actual quotes vary by region and existing wiring.
The zero-cost option: freestanding and plug-in units
If installation cost is the deciding factor, a freestanding or TV-stand-style electric fireplace is the only category with no installation cost at all — set it in place, plug it into any standard 120V outlet, and it’s running. This is the same reason our best freestanding electric fireplace and best electric fireplace TV stand picks work in rentals: no wiring, no wall cutting, no landlord approval needed.
What actually adds cost: wall-mount and recessed installs
A surface wall-mount — hung on drywall like a large TV — is usually still a low-cost DIY job if there’s already an outlet within reach; expect to pay only for mounting hardware. It gets more expensive fast if the outlet isn’t in the right spot or the wall can’t support the unit’s weight without added blocking.
A recessed built-in is where real installation cost shows up, because it usually means:
- Framing and drywall to create the recessed opening, per our sizing guide’s note that most recessed units need 5-7 inches of depth (a standard 2x6 wall).
- A dedicated electrical circuit, averaging $650-$700 when an electrician runs new wiring from the panel, per HomeGuide’s 2026 dedicated-circuit cost data — this is the single most common line item that pushes a “simple” install into professional-labor territory.
- Finish work — trim, tile, or a mantel surround — running $200-$2,000 depending on materials, per Angi.
Do you actually need an electrician?
Not for a standard plug-in unit on an existing, unshared outlet — a 1,500W heater draws about 12.5 amps, within the limit of a standard 15-amp circuit as long as nothing else heavy shares it. You need an electrician when you’re hardwiring the unit directly (skipping a plug entirely, common with some built-in installs), adding a new dedicated circuit because the existing one can’t handle the load, or working in an older home where the panel or wiring doesn’t meet current code. If you’re not sure which situation applies, our electric fireplace not heating guide covers the outlet and circuit checks worth doing before you call anyone.
R.W.Flame 36" Recessed and Wall Mounted Electric Fireplace
- Installs recessed or surface-mounted using a standard household outlet — no dedicated circuit required for typical use.
- Keeps installation cost at essentially the price of mounting hardware and, if recessed, basic framing.
- Same 1,500W heating element as pricier units, per the manufacturer's listing — installation type doesn't change heat output.
Ordering a plug-in model instead of scheduling an electrician? A free 30-day Amazon Prime trial gets it delivered in two days, so it’s ready before the weekend.
Ways to keep installation cost down
- Choose plug-in over hardwired wherever the layout allows it — this alone eliminates the electrician cost entirely.
- Use an existing outlet location instead of relocating one; moving a single outlet a few feet can add $150-$350 on its own, per Angi.
- Pick freestanding or TV-stand style if the recessed, built-in look isn’t a hard requirement — same flame quality and heat output, none of the framing or wiring cost.
- Get multiple electrician quotes if a dedicated circuit is genuinely needed — the $650-$700 average masks a wide regional range.
The bottom line
Installation cost is really a choice, not a fixed fee: a freestanding or TV-stand unit costs $0 to install, a wall-mount is usually a low-cost DIY job, and a recessed built-in with a new dedicated circuit is what pushes the total toward $1,200-$3,400. If keeping cost low matters more than the flush, built-in look, start with our best electric fireplace rankings — most of the top picks there need nothing more than an outlet.