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Why would running a gas line from the meter to a gas fireplace cost $365?

I got a fireplace installation estimate. One of the items was running gas line to the fireplace. The gas is about 30 feet from the fireplace with the gas meter inside the basement and the fireplace on the next floor. The ceiling is partially open like an unfinished basement for 15 feet and then a drop ceiling on the finished part for the last 15 feet. A possibly tricky part would be drilling a hole through a brick wall where the fireplace goes in a wood frame room addition added on to a brick house. I know I need a person who is certified to work on gas lines for safety reasons but this one part of the bid seems high and this is ONLY for the gas line installation, not anything else as those things are listed separately (and by the way are also high). This guy is the only dealer of the brand I want in my area and if you don't buy locally they aren't obligated to service your fireplace. Who else is qualified to install gas line?

Public Comments

  1. That's cheap my friend and well in line. Would you want to trust your life to a cut-rate installer?
  2. Check with local plumbers. Some do gas lines. You might also look under HVAC companies, in the phone book.
  3. Have you checked the price of copper lately? In May '07 the price was $4/lb, but has dropped to $2.60/lb in Jan '07. Just like with oil demand drives the price, but the price is slow to drop for consumers. Copper pipe is used for installing propane gas line in my area. I assume the cost of copper is the primary reason for the estimate given to you. If you have the time and ability, you might do the digging and installing yourself, but check your local building codes. Remember you are not just paying the installer for physical work, but for the knowledge he posesses that enable the job to be done quickly and well.
  4. It's high, but not unreasonable. It takes just as much time to run the line to one "appliance" as it would to two or three when you consider set up and travel. Plus, look at this way - is it something you can do? No - that's why they can charge what they do. Even if you figure renting the necessary equipment, buying the material, and doing it yourself - you're coming out ahead. Check with HVAC contractors in your area and get a quote - use it to negotiate or cancel it off the bid entirely and have someone else do it - but then you have the headache of trying to get them to show up.
  5. Thats actually a pretty good price. You have to consider, ESPECIALLY, with installation of a gas line, the liability they are taking on doing the work. Not to mention the cost of materials, permits, inspections, and overhead to run the business. You are much better off to pay a little more now than to look for a cheap altenative. If any thing goes wrong who would you rather blame? Yourself for saving a few bucks or the guys with the insurance? Think wisely here!!!
  6. i think your gas company can do this too.
  7. It is not too bad. I did same thing in my basement, and it cost me about 300. Off course mine was bit shorter, so i guess your price is reasonable too me. If you are super handy and not scared of anyhting I guess you can do it, but it is GAS!, it can blow up whole house! if you did wrong. so, better safe than sorry right?