Your fireplace is a major focal point.  It is the first thing you see when you walk in the room.  It sets the tone for the room and perhaps the whole house.

Fireplace styles reflect what was popular at the time your home was built and become outdated.  Many homes built during the 60's and 70's have Brady style floor to ceiling brick boxes.  Homes built prior to that have smaller brick surrounds that are ugly and sooty.

Even newer homes can have fireplaces that need attention.  The fireplace is one of the last areas completed, often about the time the builder runs short of money.  You often see a surround consisting of a few pieces of tile stuck to the wall topped with a cheap wood mantel in a home with higher end finishes everywhere else.

The cost to remodel a fireplace is minor compared to most other remodeling projects.  A major kitchen remodel averages $55,503, a minor kitchen remodel runs $21,185, and the average bath remodel comes in at $15,789 according to Remodeling Magazine's 2007 Cost vs. Value Report.

You can make a major change to the look of your fireplace with paint and a new cast stone mantel for under $500 if you do-it-yourself.  Complete stone surrounds, including a mantel, legs, and heart start around $1,000.

A fireplace makeover is a relatively easy project.  You normally don't need to tear out the existing brick.  You can paint it, faux it, or cover it with drywall, stone, or cast stone pavers.  You don't need to move out, it is a fairly clean project.  A fairly simple surround can be completed in about four hours.

Our customers remodel their fireplaces when:

• it dates their home
• they've completed other remodeling projects and now the fireplace really stands out - and not in a good way
• the quality of the surround isn't consistent with the other finishes in their home
• they hate their fireplace - it doesn't reflect their style

Change can be dramatic.  For before and after photos and fireplace design ideas visit www.denverfireplaces.com.