Process guide
How long does a fireplace installation take?
There is no honest single answer without seeing the job. A made-to-measure fireplace has stages, and timing depends on the room, the stone, the fire and the fitting route.
Why we do not give a fixed answer online
A fireplace is not a loose item dropped into a room. It has to fit the wall, the opening, the hearth, the fire and the access. If gas work is involved, it also needs the right Gas Safe route. That is why fixed online promises are not helpful. They can make the job sound simpler than it is.
The honest answer is that timing depends on what needs making, what needs checking and what condition the room is in. We can talk generally at enquiry stage, but the proper route comes after photos, measurements and, where needed, a survey.
Stage one: enquiry and first advice
The first stage is usually a conversation in the showroom, a phone call or photos sent through the site. Useful information includes a photo of the fireplace wall, rough measurements, the type of fire you are considering and whether you already have a chimney, gas supply or existing opening.
If building or decorating work is happening in the same room, mention that early. Other trades, finished flooring, plastering and sockets can all affect when the fireplace should be measured or fitted.
This stage is about narrowing the route. A flat wall with an electric fire is a different project from a stove in an existing chimney breast. A gas fire needs different checks from an electric suite. The sooner we understand the room, the more useful our advice will be.
Stage two: survey and choosing the details
A survey confirms the details that should not be guessed from a photo. Measurements, hearth position, opening, access, flue route and fitting details all affect the job. This is also where the stone, fire and surround can be tied together properly.
If you are still choosing material, use the colours and finishes page and bring samples into the conversation. The stone decision can affect how the fireplace is made and how it will sit in the room.
Survey is also the point where awkward details become useful rather than stressful. Uneven floors, old openings, tight access and changes to the wall can be planned around if they are known before the workshop starts.
Stage three: making the fireplace
Once the details are agreed, the fireplace is made to measure in our own Midlands workshop. This is where the room measurements become the hearth, slips, legs, header or other parts of the surround. The workshop needs clear, confirmed information before cutting begins.
We have deliberately not stated a fixed making time here. Workshop timing can change with material choice, current workload and the complexity of the job.
Stage four: fitting and finishing
Fitting depends on the room and the product. A simple electric route is different from a gas fire or stove route. Where gas work is needed, Lewis handles the Gas Safe side. The aim is to plan the fire and stone together so the finished fireplace feels like one job, not several loose parts.
You can read the fuller process on how we work, or send photos through contact if you want help understanding your own route.
Common questions
Can you give an exact installation timescale online?
No. Timing depends on the room, survey, stone choice, fire type, workshop schedule and fitting route. We confirm the route with you before work starts.
What usually affects timing?
Survey access, material choice, whether a fire or stove is being fitted, gas work, and how much preparation the room needs.
Is gas work handled separately?
Gas work is handled by Lewis, who is Gas Safe registered, where a gas fire or gas stove is part of the job.
What can I send to help at enquiry stage?
Send photos, rough measurements, the fire type you are considering and any known access or building work details.
Ask about your own room
Send photos and rough measurements, or visit the showroom. We will talk through the likely route without guessing.