Ask any Houston homeowner what upgrades top their wish list and a custom fireplace usually makes the cut. Even in a city known for warm winters, a fireplace delivers unmatched ambiance, boosts resale value, and defines open-concept living areas. The real challenge is turning that vision into an accurate budget. That’s where CountBricks comes in. Our real-time voice estimating platform generates material takeoffs, labor scopes, and cost breakdowns in minutes—letting you compare styles, fuel sources, and finishes before demolition even begins.
• Wood-burning: Classic crackle, requires chimney and stricter code clearances
• Gas: Instant flames, remote control, slimmer chase depth
• Electric: Zero emissions, flexible placement, budget-friendly rough-in
• Interior wall retrofit: Adds engineering complexity but maximizes home value
• Exterior wall bump-out: Faster install and easier venting for gas inserts
• Outdoor living room: Extends entertaining space and meets Houston’s year-round patio culture
• Natural stone for rustic Hill Country aesthetics
• Hand-made tile for a vibrant Montrose vibe
• Cast concrete or stucco for modern Midtown minimalism
Simply walk the site with our mobile app, narrate your fireplace vision, and CountBricks AI converts speech to a detailed line-item estimate. No more guessing square footage of stacked stone—our computer vision suggests quantities while you talk.
Houston suppliers update pricing in the CountBricks database daily. Whether you choose reclaimed oak mantels or vent-free gas logs, you see today’s numbers—not last quarter’s averages.
Already have plans? Upload PDFs and receive a fireplace-specific takeoff that tags hearth dimensions, header loads, and flue runs automatically. Explore at CountBricks.com/services.
Your client receives an elegant, branded proposal created by our AI writer—complete with photos, upgrade options, and e-signature fields. Change a tile spec and the total updates instantly.
Permitting a fireplace in the City of Houston means navigating energy codes, masonry clearances, and mechanical inspections. CountBricks maintains a database of local requirements so every estimate references the proper:
• Chimney height and setback rules
• Gas line sizing for NG vs. LP
• Combustion air calculations for tight-envelope homes
Our compliance engine flags any conflicts before you submit drawings, saving weeks of revision cycles.
1. Demolition & framing modifications: $1,200–$2,800
2. Venting or gas line rough-in: $950–$2,400
3. Firebox or insert unit: $1,100–$4,500
4. Surround materials & mantel: $1,500–$6,000
5. Finish carpentry & painting: $700–$1,500
6. Permit fees & inspections: $250–$600
CountBricks auto-updates these ranges with live supplier feeds, so your proposal is always market accurate.
• Specify low-profile direct-vent units to avoid chimney construction in height-restricted neighborhoods
• Prewire for smart fireplace controls during rough-in, not after drywall
• Use lightweight metal studs inside the chase to reduce header loads on existing floors
• Design the hearth depth to double as extra seating for holiday gatherings
• Seal exterior flue penetrations with hurricane-rated flashings to handle Gulf Coast storm events
1. Schedule a 15-minute screen share at CountBricks.com/consultation
2. Walk your space with our voice-enabled app and receive an instant PDF estimate
3. Approve the AI-generated quote and lock in supplier pricing for 30 days
4. Track schedule, inspections, and invoices inside the CountBricks dashboard
5. Enjoy your new centerpiece, complete with a digital closeout packet and maintenance reminders
• Less Rework: Precise takeoffs mean materials arrive once and fit right the first time
• Faster Cash Flow: Automated invoices ship the moment milestones are hit
• Transparent Communication: Voice notes become written records everyone can reference
Ready to transform your living room? Visit CountBricks.com/portfolio to see recent Houston fireplaces and start planning yours today.
A Midtown townhouse owner wanted a sleek, linear gas fireplace that felt like built-in furniture. Traditional estimating took weeks—our team completed it in 22 minutes.
1. Using the CountBricks mobile app, the contractor narrated site dimensions while the homeowner asked design questions. The AI produced a 14-line estimate covering framing, venting, tile, and a frameless glass enclosure.
2. Supplier APIs pushed live prices for porcelain slabs and flex gas lines, saving $642 by swapping to an in-stock mantel shelf.
3. The client signed the interactive quote on a tablet. Permit drawings auto-generated with Houston’s mechanical code notes pre-filled—zero redlines from plan review.
• Start-to-finish timeline: 19 calendar days
• Final cost deviation from initial estimate: 1.6 %—well below the Houston remodel average of 8 %
• Homeowner satisfaction score via post-project survey: 9.8/10
• Real-time material availability: CountBricks flagged discontinued tile before purchase orders
• Automated invoice triggers: Trades were paid within 24 hours of milestone approval, keeping schedules tight
• Digital closeout packet: The homeowner received warranties, maintenance videos, and operation manuals in a single link
Whether you want a rustic wood-burning hearth in The Heights or a statement ribbon flame downtown, CountBricks condenses weeks of coordination into a single, AI-guided workflow. Schedule your demo at CountBricks.com/consultation and join the builders who never look back once they count bricks the smart way.
