We recently received a call from a homeowner in Ellicott City who wanted to convert the wood burning fireplace in their historic home to gas. A friend had recently gifted them an unused Regency® Ultimate™ U1500E gas fireplace, which they wanted us to install as part of the fireplace conversion.
This wasn’t the first customer to ask us the question “I found a great deal on a fireplace — can you just come install it?” The answer to that question is always no. We will only install fireplace units that we have sourced, inspected and supplied ourselves – and there are good reasons for that. We want to protect your home, the product warranty, and your insurance coverage, as well as ensure your satisfaction by installing the best fireplace for your home’s unique needs.
Selecting the Right Fireplace for Your Home
There are thousands of fireplace models on the market, and choosing the wrong one is an expensive mistake. Gas fireplaces, wood-burning inserts, electric units, and pellet stoves each have different heat outputs, venting requirements, clearance specifications, fuel costs and maintenance considerations. A unit that fits a walk-in masonry fireplace in a colonial home in Baltimore is completely different from what belongs in a zero-clearance insert application in new construction in Landover.
Remember the homeowner in Ellicott City who wanted us to install an unused Regency gas fireplace they were gifted by a friend? It turns out that this wasn’t even the right fireplace for their home. Not only was the physical unit much too large for the space available, but the aesthetics didn’t match that of their historic home.
Before recommending a single product, our technicians visit your home and inspect your chimney or flue, evaluate your home’s gas, electric, and ventilation infrastructure, and measure your firebox. Once we know more about your home’s unique needs we can recommend the right solution for you. We carry products from a range of premier fireplace and stove brands — including leading manufacturers like Regency, Napoleon, and Mendota — and our team is trained on the installation nuances specific to each product line.
Why We Can't Install a Unit We Didn't Supply
The Condition and History of the Unit Are Unknown
Fireplaces sourced independently come with an unknown history. The homeowner in Ellicott CIty wanted us to install a Regency unit gifted by a coworker, who received the fireplace unit from their well-meaning in-laws during a recent home renovation. However we didn’t know where the in-laws sourced the unit, or when, or under what conditions. Was it a returned unit? Stored in a moisture-prone warehouse? Previously installed and removed? A counterfeit product? We have no way to know, and we won’t risk your family’s safety on a product we can’t verify.Manufacturer Warranties Don't Transfer to Independently Sourced Units
Fireplace manufacturer warranties do not transfer when a unit is purchased outside of an authorized dealer. They apply only to units purchased through an authorized dealer and installed by a qualified technician and do not transfer to customer-supplied units, regardless of how new or unused the product appears. If we install a unit we didn’t source and something fails, neither you nor we will have any recourse with the manufacturer. When Priddy supplies the unit, your warranty protection stays intact.
Liability and Insurance Considerations for Both Parties
When we source and vet the unit, we can stand behind every aspect of the job — the product, the installation, and the outcome. That’s not possible when the unit’s origin and certifications are unknown. By supplying what we install, we’re able to take full responsibility for the work.
There are also insurance implications worth understanding. Homeowner’s insurance policies can deny claims related to fireplace or chimney fires when the installation doesn’t follow manufacturer guidelines — and an improperly sourced or uncertified unit is a common disqualifying factor.
Permit Requirements and Product Certification
Permit requirements for fireplace work vary by county and local jurisdiction. In some places where permits are required, such as Baltimore County, applicants must provide proof that the unit is safe and legitimate. Other local jurisdictions, including Anne Arundel County, require that factory-built systems be installed exactly according to manufacturer listings.
Products sourced through unauthorized channels may lack proper certification documentation, creating gaps that can result in a failed inspection or an unpermitted installation. An unpermitted installation can complicate homeowner’s insurance claims, home sales, and future service work. When Priddy supplies the unit, we ensure the paperwork is complete and the product is code-compliant from the start.
Want to Install a New Fireplace In Your Home?
Priddy Chimney Solutions works with homeowners throughout Maryland, Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia who are looking to upgrade or install a new fireplace in their home.
If you’ve already found a unit you love, let’s talk — we can tell you whether it’s the right fit for your home before you commit to it . Call us at 301-530-4262 or request an appointment online.
