Fireplace insert replacement

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Hi.

I've written here several times regarding my cold family room above a crawlspace. This room is the only room above a crawlspace... rest of the house is above the basement. This room had no insulation in the 5' crawlspace. I had it insulated and had more insulation added to the attic. (I thank everyone on this board for all the help through that process.) However, the room is still cold during winter months (last winter was a true test for sure). There are a couple of other issues that I'm sure are contributing to this (i.e., the first floor air vents are in the ceiling and there is a cheap french door in this room that allows tons of cold air to pass through). Eventually, I would like to have a new french door installed and perhaps vents added to the floor.

Anyway, I do have a wonderful brick fireplace on the end of this room and I love fires. It has an insert that is obviously junk - and ugly, too. The wood burning fire does not warm the room and you can feel the cold air coming from the fireplace area when the fire is not lit. I think replacing this insert with a new insert will possibly resolve my problem.

I have had someone come out and he recommends a LOPI Freedom insert. He says I don't have to have a blower because I have a fan in the room, but I still want one to push the air out. He said it wouldn't hurt to have it. For the insert with brass trim and door, haul away of old insert, sweep chimney, install insert, shroud and blower he wants $2,914.00 (including tax). He broke that down as far as labor and said the install is 250.00 and the direct connect is 289.00 - says he's throwing in the chimney sweeping.

Would someone please let me know what they think as far as is this a good solution and is this a fair price.

Thanks again.

Pam