Open up a bricked up fireplace?

powerful_Rogue

Hi,

We moved into our property 3 years ago and it appears the fire place has been bricked up.

Were thinking about getting it re-opened, but was wondering who we would need to call to get this done - would it just be a builder or someone more specialist? Also any idea on how much something like this would cost would be great!

Mark123_2

Are you sure it has been bricked up or just plasterboarded over?

I assume you're wanting to open it up to install a fireplace. If this is the case, I'd pop down to a fire installer's and have a chat with them. It's the sort of job they'll have done many times.

debbie42

We opened up our back room fireplace recently. That was bricked up (not plastered). It was fairly easy to knock out though. It was knocked back to the original brick lintel, wood burner fitted, plastered outside, rendered inside. That little lot cost around £2500 (incl. flue liner). (edit: this was all done by the fire installer, not me!)

In the house I shared before, the owner opened up a huge inglenook herself. The amount of rubbish that was in there had to be seen to be believed. It looked more than would fit back in the hole, but, although messy, it was a fairly straight forward job.

illzlee

might be worth thinking about why it was bricked up in the first place.
if the chimney is knackd you could need a flue liner which is more expense...

otherwise, general builder would do this easily. I altered the opening size in mine and i'm only a general DIY'er :cool:

powerful_Rogue

Thanks everyone. Its definatly been bricked up rather then plasterboard used as it appears to be rock solid. Its also got a little air vent in the middle

wallbash

Get yourself a big hammer
Wear a mask, be prepared for a lot of mess.

sandraroffey

do get the chimney checked by someone who knows what they are doing. then, all being well, a lovely open fire. fantastic!!!

runningdeer

Put sheets on the floors outside the room as well as inside - so you can walk out the room afterwards without trailing dirt over your carpets. Also you may want to close the door of the room where you are demolishing the wall and seal the door with tape to keep the dust and dirt in the room. Be prepared as sometimes it can create more dust and mess than you imagined!