Where to Buy Limestone Fireplace with Electric Inset Fire

busymumof3

Planning to replace our distinctly uninspiring fireplace before decorating the lounge. Obviously being a committed MSEr this needs to be done as cost effectively as possible. Especially given that it wasn't part of the original budget!

Really like limestone fireplaces as simple a design as possible. Slight complication is that the hearth needs to be 60" wide as we are not replacing the carpet. Does anyone have any advice about best places to buy, any potential problems to avoid etc.

Also there is a living flame gas fire there at the moment which I am planning to replace with an electric model. Have 3 kids and am really fed up with fireguards. Thinking is that if I get a simple glass fronted electric fire they will be in no danger and for once the fire can be a feature instead of hidden behind a guard. Again any advice gratefully received.

secretdancer

When we did our fire recently we boughtour flame effect fire through an online retailer - much cheaper than showroom prices. Then got a limestone surround & hearth from a local bespoke surround maker - again much cheaper than off the shelf products from showrooms, plus he could copy any design we wanted. Got them to instal the sourround and hearth.

As we went for the flame effect fire we then got a corgi gas fitter to instal the fire and connect the gas.

I think we saved a few hundred doing it this way.

Live in south wales if you want the name of the surround maker.

busymumof3

Thanks SecretDancer
Yes any online pointers would be great. I haven't come across many firplace suppliers so far. Hoping to get the whole job done under £1000 inc. fitting. My joiner and electrician would fit. At our last house we installed a traditional victorian type fireplace with gas flame which cost about £1500 in total from a local supplier. Hoping that online will give us a better deal. Know that carriage will be expensive for such a large item though.

Have come across this online fireplace company after doing a search on EBay. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4440192142&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1 Looks a fairly new seller. Does anyone know of them or have any thoughts? They are able to make any size hearth and feedback looks good so far. Lots of private buyers though? Don't know if this should make me wary in any way?

Counting_Pennies_2

If the width is a problem with online retailers I know our local fire place company offers to increase the width and or height of a fireplace when ordered, and they didn't come in at much more than I thought it would.

If you live near Berkshire and want the name PM me and I'll forward you the details.

busymumof3

Thanks Counting_Pennies

I'm in ******** so not to local to me I'm afraid!
Given your experience and the fact that the first supplier I've tried can oblige, the width issue may not be as restrictive as I'd thought though.

mercurystar999

I just bought a complete fireplace off ebay. Mega cheap!

secretdancer

We had our heart set on a particular gas fire, so I trawled the net to find an online retailer quoting a price to beat the showroom. Ended up going with fires4u.co.uk. Good price with delivery included, excellent service and very fast delivery. I think they do electric fires too. Good luck!

mercurystar999

Fires 4 u have an ebay shop which is cheaper!

plumb1_2

I am about to rip-out a Limestone fire place, only 12mth old, why do women change their minds so often:whistle:

busymumof3

Thanks to all who replied. I have gone with the original EBay lister and managed to get the limestone surround for £370 plus an additional £40 for a custom size hearth plus £65 delivery. Not bad to *************I thought.

The cheapest I could find the dimplex electric fire we decided on is from https://www.tribaluk.co.uk which is £70 cheaper than John Lewis.

So £700 all in. Now all I need to organise is fitting!

plumb1 believe me, once the fire is installed it will be there for the duration!

busymumof3

Finally got our fireplace installed this week after having it take up garage space for months!

Found a fireplace to install for £290 so in total came in exactly on our £1000 budget. Looks great and just as importantly the 2 year old has not discovered the switches so far so the fireguard has stayed off.