Bellevue · HQ city · design-led install
Bellevue is home base. Every install pulls a City of Bellevue mechanical permit, gets inspected, and goes into a room that's been thought about as a whole — not a wall with an appliance bolted on.
Three Bellevue install rooms
Bellevue's housing stock spans 1940s Craftsmans in Bridle Trails to 1980s ranches in West Bellevue to brand-new Lakemont great rooms. The right gas fireplace install depends on the room context first — the appliance choice comes second. Three install types we run regularly.
Linear direct-vent install in a 22-foot great room. Heat & Glo Mezzo with single-material porcelain surround, no mantel, ribbon flame as the visual anchor of the floor.
Existing brick firebox from the original build. Valor H5 radiant insert with a new tile surround and a reclaimed-beam mantel. The firebox stays, everything around it changes.
Mendota FullView with traditional brick surround and a substantial millwork mantel. New chase framed during build, vented vertically through the roof.
The Bellevue permit workflow
Every gas fireplace install in Bellevue triggers two city permits and at least two inspections. Prime pulls every permit, schedules every inspection, and walks every inspector. You should never be the one calling the city.
Mechanical permit
Pulled through the City of Bellevue Development Services Department for the appliance install itself. Covers the unit placement, clearance to combustibles, and venting path.
Gas piping permit
Separate permit for the gas line. Covers pipe sizing per BTU load, shut-off valve placement, and the required pressure leak test before the line goes live.
Inspections
Typically two: a piping inspection (gas line pressure-tested in the wall before drywall closes up) and a final inspection (full system live, controls tested). Some scopes add a framing inspection.
L&I sticker
Washington State Labor & Industries requires a sticker affixed to every new gas appliance install. Separate from the city — a state requirement layered on top.
Current fees are published at bellevuewa.gov. We track current Bellevue, Mercer Island, Kirkland, Redmond, and Issaquah fee schedules so the estimate doesn't drift between quote and install.
Match the unit to the era
Bellevue's neighborhoods come from different decades, with different chimneys, different framing, and different design vocabulary. The unit that's right in a Lakemont new-build is wrong in a Bridle Trails Craftsman — and vice versa.
Bridle Trails, Vuecrest, Enatai
Pre-1980 Craftsman / Tudor
Existing masonry firebox is usually the right starting point. A radiant gas insert (Valor H5, Mendota DXV) keeps the room's character and warms it properly. Surround stays traditional — reclaimed-wood mantel, tile or stacked stone.
Phantom Lake, Newport, Eastgate
1980s-1990s remodel candidates
Mid-era brick fireboxes that were never quite right. Insert + new surround is the highest-leverage move — the firebox stays, the room gets reset. Heat & Glo or Napoleon land here often.
Lakemont, Somerset, Newport Hills
Post-2000 new construction
Newer chases support direct-vent or linear installs. Heat & Glo Mezzo or Mendota FullView in a single-material surround. No chimney needed — vent goes through the wall or chase.
Google reviews
“The technician found a minor problem that I would have overlooked during a chimney inspection. He gave me straightforward repair options and a clear explanation without putting any pressure on me.”
Kathleen Kimura
Verified Google review
“We noticed some cracks in the chimney and weren't sure how serious they were, but they carefully inspected everything and only recommended the repairs that were actually needed. The whole process was smooth and well-organized, and the chimney now looks solid and secure again.”
Emanuel Leavitt
Verified Google review
“I'm really impressed with the service we received for our new pellet stove installation. Everything was done carefully to spec, and they took the time to clearly explain the safety steps, which made us feel confident using it.”
Bruce Cropper
Verified Google review
“The technician spotted minor damage to my chimney crown that I hadn't noticed and quickly took care of it. He explained the repair options clearly and made sure everything was solid, which I really appreciated for his honesty and skill.”
Jean Hill
Verified Google review
“Prime Chimney was suggested by a neighbor, and I now see why. They were easy to book, arrived on time, and completed a thorough job. The technician was courteous and left no mess. Our chimney is clean, safe, and ready for the colder months. Wonderful local enterprise!”
Manuel Laporte
Verified Google review
Common questions
Next steps
The brand-personality framework. The lowest-cost path into a modern gas fireplace.
The five phases from first conversation to first flame — what happens and why it takes the time it does.
The one-question decision tree — which path is right based on what you already have.
Free in-room walkthrough · Bellevue HQ
Bellevue HQ, 958 111th Ave NE. We come to the room, look at the wall, walk through the install path, and put together a fixed written estimate with the permit costs already in.