Adding a fireplace is one of the simplest, fastest and most effective ways to transform a property. 

Whether it’s a classic stove, a contemporary electric fire or a full media wall feature piece, this addition can dramatically upgrade a home, both in terms of energy efficiency and aesthetics.  

If you’re considering a fireplace installation, then it’s key to note that the timing of your installation can have a significant impact on cost and the end result.

With that in mind, the key point that you’ll need to decide is whether it would be best to install the fireplace before you move into a property, or to wait until you’ve settled in.

In this article, The Fireplace Studio’s expert team have shared their top tips for deciding when is the best time to install your new fireplace. 

The benefits of installing before you move in 

The answer to this question depends on several factors, including your renovation plans, budget and how familiar you already are with the property. 

However, in most cases, installing before move-in ensures the smoothest and most cost-effective installation.

This is because an empty property gives the installers and tradespeople much more freedom to work efficiently.

With no furniture, flooring obstacles or general daily household disruption, the process of fireplace installation is significantly faster, cleaner and easier, and can be effectively coordinated with any other renovation work. 

This means no furniture removal costs, integrated design from the start, and just one round of decoration required. 

What’s more, it’s particularly beneficial for a fireplace to be installed before you move in if the project involves:

• Chimney alterations
• Media wall construction
• Plastering or decorating
• Fitting new electrics or lighting
• Replacing the surrounding flooring

These benefits are amplified further if you’ve got multiple trade specialists to help renovate the property. With good planning, you can ensure optimal sequencing with your plasterers, electricians, decorators, and builders.

The benefits of installing after you move in 

Although installing before the move offers a lot of practical advantages, there are a number of reasons why homeowners may still choose to wait till after they move in.

Arranging installation for after they’ve moved in means that they get the chance to live in the property first. 

This gives them the opportunity to plan how they would use the space or place furniture in the room. 

Plus, by waiting until you’ve moved in, this can also help to improve budget management and spread the costs.

If you’ve got a period property, or the fireplace installation is part of a larger renovation, this extra time to plan can be especially valuable – as it’s often more complex to plan these projects, and the use cases can have more details and specifics to consider. 

Media walls and earlier planning

It’s important to note that media wall fireplaces in particular that especially benefit from earlier planning.

This is because, unlike straightforward fireplace installations, media walls often require:

• Stud wall construction
• Electrical cabling
• Recessed television positioning
• Socket relocation
• Lighting integration
• Plastering and joinery work

As a result, it’s much easier if these installations can be completed before decorating and furnishing the room. What’s more, doing so almost always produces better, more flawless results, while keeping labour costs and time down. 

Seasonal timing

Generally speaking – regardless of whether you install before or after moving in – the autumn is the best season to time a fireplace project.

This is because installers are typically more available during the autumn, compared to during the winter (as this is the peak demand period). Furthermore, weather conditions are more manageable (key for external works). 

Plus, this also means that your new fireplace will be ready to use as winter sets in. 

Which approach is best?

For most homeowners, installing the fireplace before you move typically offers better value and results. 

It means you can coordinate any other renovation work that is taking place, and allows you to optimise the labourer’s time, while minimising disruption or the need to double-up on work. 

However, at the same time, there are numerous reasons why you may still opt for the post-move approach. If you want to stagger costs, or spend some time first deciding on the final room layout, then there’s a lot to gain by waiting. 

In summary, the key is to strategically plan your fireplace installation, rather than considering it as a standalone upgrade. 

By working with specialist suppliers like The Fireplace Studio, you can get expert guidance assessing the project’s timing, requirements and considering your property type. 

To find out more, don’t hesitate to get in touch.