Fireplace Remodeling in San Diego

Your fireplace is the focal point of the room — so when it’s dated brick, cracked tile, or a firebox that hasn’t worked in years, the whole space feels stuck in the past. We’ve been remodeling fireplaces across San Diego County since 2014, from quick surround refacing to full structural rebuilds and gas conversions. As a licensed California contractor (Lic #1004363) owned by Dave Romero, we handle the design, the demo, the gas and venting, and the finish work — pulling permits when the job calls for it and leaving you with a fireplace you’ll actually want to gather around.

Fireplace Remodel Options We Build

Whether you want a light refresh or a complete transformation, we have an option that fits your room and budget:

• Surround refacing — new tile, natural stone, stacked stone, or porcelain slab over your existing surround for a fast, high-impact update.
• Mantel replacement — custom wood, reclaimed beam, or floating concrete mantels sized and installed to your wall.
• Full rebuild — tearing out a tired masonry fireplace and rebuilding the firebox, surround, and hearth from the ground up.
• Gas insert conversion — converting a wood-burning or unused fireplace to a clean, efficient gas insert.
• Modern linear fireplaces — sleek, wide ribbon-flame units set into a flush drywall, tile, or stone wall.

Materials & Design That Fit Your Home

The material you choose sets the entire tone. We help you pick finishes that match your home’s style and hold up to heat and daily use:

• Tile — from classic subway to large-format and handmade zellige for character.
• Natural & stacked stone — ledger panels, limestone, travertine, and granite for texture and warmth.
• Porcelain slab — seamless, modern full-height surrounds with minimal grout lines.
• Plaster & microcement — soft, sculptural finishes popular in coastal and Spanish-style San Diego homes.

Coastal homes near the beach get materials chosen with salt air and moisture in mind.

Safety, Codes & Permits

A fireplace involves combustion, gas, and clearances that have to be done right — this is where hiring a licensed contractor matters most. We handle:

• Gas line work — properly sized, leak-tested connections for inserts and linear units.
• Clearances to combustibles — correct spacing around mantels, surrounds, and framing.
• Venting & flue — direct-vent and B-vent configurations that meet manufacturer specs and code.
• Permits & inspections — pulled with the City of San Diego or your local jurisdiction when scope requires.

Cutting corners is how unpermitted, unsafe fireplaces end up failing inspection at resale. We do it by the book.

Fireplace Remodel Cost in San Diego

Every fireplace is different, but here’s an honest range of what San Diego homeowners typically invest:

• Surround refacing — roughly $1,500 to $5,000, depending on material and size.
• Full fireplace remodel — generally $5,000 to $15,000+ for a new surround, mantel, hearth, and finish work.
• Structural rebuilds & gas conversions — more, since they involve framing, gas lines, venting, inserts, and permits.

After we see the space, you get a clear written estimate — no vague ballparks and no surprise change orders.

Our Process & Why Licensed Matters

We keep the project organized from first visit to final walkthrough: a free consultation to assess your fireplace and options, a clear written estimate with material recommendations, permits and scheduling, then the build — demo, gas and venting, surround, mantel, and finish work, kept clean as we go — and a final walkthrough to confirm everything works and meets code.

Hiring a licensed contractor (CA Lic #1004363) means your project is bonded, insured, and built to California standards — protecting your home, your safety, and your resale value.