By Bruno Venichand, J. Perry & Sons — Florida CGC1540699
A stacked stone fireplace in South Florida costs $5,000–$8,500 installed for most projects, which works out to $38–$65 per sq ft of stone depending on the product and the wall. A surround around the firebox with a hearth sits at the low end; a floor-to-ceiling wall in loose-laid natural ledgestone with a floating mantel and TV niche sits at the top. This guide from J. Perry & Sons fireplace installation gives the installed ranges we quote in Broward and Palm Beach by stone type and wall size.
Stacked stone fireplace cost by stone type and size
| Stacked stone type | Installed per sq ft | Surround, 30–50 sq ft | Floor to ceiling, 70–100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufactured ledger panel (concrete-based) | $27–$37 | $3,250–$4,250 | $4,750–$6,250 |
| Natural stone ledger panel (quartzite, slate, marble) | $34–$46 | $3,750–$5,250 | $5,750–$7,750 |
| Loose-laid natural ledgestone (dry-stack look) | $45–$65 | $4,500–$6,250 | $6,500–$8,500+ |
| Corner pieces, any type | +$12–$17 per linear foot |
Ranges include demo or prep of the existing face, scratch coat or cement board, the stone, mortar and installation, and a simple stone or slab hearth. Wood or stone mantels ($950–$1,750), TV electrical, and relocating the firebox are extra.
What drives the stacked stone price
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- The stone. Manufactured panels are $9–$14 per sq ft material; natural stone panels $14–$21; loose natural ledgestone $18–$29. Corner pieces are sold by the linear foot and are where the cost of an outside corner lives.
- Panel vs. loose. Ledger panels are pre-assembled 6x24 strips; they go up fast and the joints are tight. Loose ledgestone is set one piece at a time, fitted by hand, and takes two to three times the labor. It looks more like a real dry-stack wall.
- The wall. Brick or block gets a scratch coat and stone goes on. Drywall around a firebox comes off and cement board goes up. Framing that is out of plumb gets shimmed and boarded flat before any stone, because stacked stone shows every wave.
- Corners and returns. A fireplace that projects into the room has two outside corners running floor to ceiling. Corner pieces and the fitting on each course are what make a "bump-out" fireplace cost more than a flat wall of the same area.
- Height. Anything over 8 feet means staging and more cuts at the ceiling.
Free estimate — call (561) 556-7509 or email jperrysonsgc@gmail.com. Send a photo of the fireplace from across the room with the ceiling in frame and we'll give you a range the same day.
How stacked stone is installed on a fireplace
- Prep. Existing brick is cleaned; existing tile is removed; drywall near the firebox is replaced with 1/2" cement board. A scratch coat of mortar goes over lath or cement board and cures.
- Layout. We snap level lines and dry-lay the first course. Corner pieces are set first on each course so the field runs toward them.
- Set. Each panel or stone is back-buttered with a polymer-modified veneer mortar and pressed into a mortar bed on the wall, bottom up. No grout on a dry-stack look; the joints stay tight.
- Hearth. A raised hearth in slab, a thick limestone piece, or the same stone laid flat. A flush hearth is tile or slab set level with the floor.
- Finish. Caulk at the firebox opening with high-temperature sealant, mantel mounted into blocking behind the stone, optional sealer for a slightly darker tone.
Where stacked stone works and where it does not
Stacked stone is the right finish for a fireplace wall that is a little uneven, for rooms that want texture, and for homes where the same stone is on the exterior columns or outdoor kitchen. See stone veneer entrance columns for matching the front of the house.
It is not the best choice when you want a flat, seamless modern wall; that is a job for porcelain slab or large-format tile, covered in the fireplace refacing cost guide. And a TV mounted on stacked stone needs its bracket and blocking planned before the stone goes up; drilling through ledgestone afterward is slow and sometimes cracks a piece.
South Florida conditions that affect the job
Fireplace type. Most Broward and Palm Beach fireplaces are gas or electric inserts. Stone is non-combustible and can run to the firebox opening; the wood mantel and TV must respect the manufacturer's clearances above the opening.
Humidity. Interior stone is left unsealed unless a wet look is wanted. Mortar cures slower in summer.
Permits. A stacked stone reface on an existing fireplace is a finish and does not typically require a permit in Broward or Palm Beach. New gas lines, new fireboxes or vent changes do, and we pull them.
Condos. Stone deliveries and work hours go through the association. No structural change, so board approval is usually a formality with the contractor's insurance on file.
Exterior fireplaces. Stacked stone on an outdoor fireplace or on the exterior face of a chimney uses the same stone with a sealed, weather-rated installation. See outdoor fireplace cost.
Timeline for a stacked stone fireplace
- Surround with hearth, ledger panels: 2–3 days
- Floor-to-ceiling wall, ledger panels: 3–4 days
- Floor-to-ceiling wall, loose-laid natural stone: 5–7 days
- Add a day for a bump-out with two outside corners
Dust is limited to the demo day; the rest is contained to the wall.
How to keep the stacked stone fireplace cost in range
- Choose a panel product over loose stone if the budget is the deciding factor.
- Keep the stone to a flat wall; a bump-out with corners adds 20–30% to the stone cost.
- Stop at the mantel on a wall over 9 feet, or run stone to 8 feet and paint above.
- Order corners by the linear foot plus 10% and field panels plus 10%; shortages mean a second order in a different lot.
- Plan the TV bracket, outlet and blocking before the stone goes on.
Stacked stone fireplace installation by city
- Fireplace installation in Parkland
- Fireplace installation in Weston
- Fireplace installation in Southwest Ranches
- Fireplace installation in Boca Raton
- Fireplace installation in Delray Beach
- Fireplace installation in Wellington
- Fireplace installation in Palm Beach Gardens
- Fireplace installation in Jupiter
Related guides: Stone fireplace surround cost · Fireplace refacing cost · Stone veneer installation
Stacked stone fireplace cost — FAQ
How much does a stacked stone fireplace cost? $3,250–$4,250 for a surround in manufactured ledger panels, $6,000–$8,500 for a floor-to-ceiling wall, and more for loose-laid natural ledgestone, installed with a hearth.
What is the cost per square foot for stacked stone on a fireplace? $27–$37 for manufactured panels, $34–$46 for natural stone panels and $45–$65 for loose-laid natural stone, installed.
Can stacked stone go over an existing brick fireplace? Yes, and brick is the easiest substrate. It is cleaned, scratch-coated and the stone is set directly over it.
Is stacked stone safe near a gas fireplace? Yes. Stone is non-combustible and can run to the firebox opening. The wood mantel and any TV have to stay outside the manufacturer's clearance above the opening.
How do I get an exact price? Call (561) 556-7509 or email photos and rough dimensions to jperrysonsgc@gmail.com. A written estimate is typically ready within 24–48 hours after a site review and scope confirmation.
Free estimate — call (561) 556-7509 or email jperrysonsgc@gmail.com. Licensed Florida general contractor CGC1540699. Serving Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Free Estimate
Free estimate — call (561) 556-7509 or email jperrysonsgc@gmail.com with project photos, the city, approximate dimensions, and material selections.
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