Aftermarket Fireplace

[Susan]

We are debating wheter we would like to have a fireplace as a feature in our new mobile We are looking at a Keystone by Palm Harbor The cost of the feature is $950.

We are thinking of putting one in ourselves afterward, but think it may be cheaper to have the factory do it and alot less hassle

Any thoughts???

[Babs]

I do not know about the cost because our model came with the fireplace but we just love ours.I think you would really enjoy it.

Babs

[KVR]

Just a consideration. We have a wood burning fireplace in our current home and hardly ever use it due to the hassel of starting, getting wood and cleaning it after use. We decided not to get a fireplace in our new home and instead get an electric fireplace. We found one at Home Depot for $700. It plugs into your electric socket and lights up and heats just like a real fire. It's turns on and off when needed. We've seen similar models at a fireplace store for $1,800. We are putting one in the living area and one in the bedroom.

A wood burning fireplace is a good feature when selling, but if you don't use it alot like we don't it's really not worth it. It's up to you. If you really want it, go ahead.

When I was a child, we had a singlewide mobile home added to the back of our house. My mother wanted a fireplace bad and my dad had one installed. They had to cut out the wall in the living room to add it on. I owned another singlewide when I first married and his parents added a fireplace in the corner of the living room, which took out alot of space. We rarely use it also. Sorry, I don't know the price of either construction, but it can be done.

[Bill Fry]

If its a functioning wood burning fireplace
the cost is not out of line.There is more to installing a fireplace then just the fire box.
Also if you install the fireplace yourself
your insurance company may not cover you.Fireplaces in MF housing must be installed per HUD code which is a bit different then code in standard homes.

[KVR]

Just wanted to add, the Palm Harbor we owned came with a fireplace and again we rarely used it also. They are such a pain to start and keep lit. Duraflames are expensive and wood is a hassel. Hpwever, I always wanted a fireplace in the bedroom. It would have gotten much more use there. That's why we opted for the electric fireplace. Turn off and on as needed. I am very cold natured and constantly have a portable space heater and blanket that I'm never without while at home.

[lacey]

about a year ago, we looked at buying a used mfg home. it did not have a fireplace, so we inquired about putting one in. (we live in texas). you can buy them at home depot and have them professionally installed. in terms of cost, they are almost the same price as one that is ordered with the new home.

in my opinion, if you are interested in something like a fireplace, i think they are best done by the factory rather than added later. just my 2 cents.

[Mac]

We live on land with lots of alder and bigleaf maple, which we heat with about 50%. We deleted the fireplace and got a first-rate woodstove. That ran $1300, plus $500 to install - in our case, well worth it. It is a selling point, but if you wanted to heat with it, get a woodstove. Almost all are OK for MH installation.