Should chimney breasts be removed

seema_1001

We have chimney breasts in the 2 reception rooms and 2 bedrooms.. for property saleability, should we remove them to create more sq footage or keep them to add character?

What to do?

This is for our first property so we're making changes to help us sell the property rather than making this our final home..

My father-in-law says we shouldn't but I don't understand why? He said it's better structurally and can add more of a cosy feel to the room.

If it's such a bad thing structurally, why do people still do it?

_pale_

MX5huggy

It won't help you sell the property spending the money on 4 nice fire places would be a better bet.

You will have to support the chimney stacks (not difficult but must be done).

The mess would be horrific unless you are doing similar types of work leave well alone.

dave82_2

Personal taste I guess I like them they add charachter better than a square room! Also good if you ever want to add a wood burner or fire.

Doozergirl

Neither is going to do anything to the value. I think having a chimney breast, with fireplaces is more likely to appeal to the most buyers.

I'd never remove a chimney breast unless I could genuinely make more space. Considering in most houses they are up against outside walls, I wouldn't do it. There is little usable space to gain.

On the whole, rooms need a focal point and I think most people want it to be something other than the TV. Reinstating fireplaces with something sympathetic to the period of the house with ebay finds will help you to do it cheaply. People love fireplaces. And the alcoves either side fit things quite neatly.

I don't know why people do it. If people want a house without chimney breasts, there are plenty of houses out there. Seems a waste of a decent period property IMO.

The only thing that adds value is more space. Meaning more rooms rather than a couple of square feet gained from an old chimney breast. So making money comes from either buying truly undervalue in the first place, or things like extensions and loft conversions on the right house. Or both!

rfowler

We removed ours and it gave us more room i.e we could have a corner sofa from DFS

It changes the view of the room for the better but this by going by my house

But it is a lot of mess also you do need to inform the council

seema_1001

Hey Doozegirl, thanks for the reply and don't worry about being worried about my thoughts on what increases how prices..:rotfl:

I am not looking to sell for a while and it's gona take me some time but my whole reasoning behind asking is to see what really does work and doesn't... considering current market conditions, I wouldn't sell at the moment..

wallbash

Big question is the size of the rooms . Does the chimney breasts removal significantly increase ( usable)floor area .If it does it might very well add value.
My first house , 2 up 2 Down had a rear room with chimney breast , removing it made that room much bigger and the second bedroom went from a box room to a double ( that's estate agent garbage , not mine)

Focal points are great if you can spare the room , but a flat screen tv ????? may well beat a fire.

wobbley

Always go for breast enhancement rather than removal.

Ben84

I doubt people care much about fireplaces these days, far too much mess and trouble to actually use. The chimney itself may be useful though for venting a modern gas fire, which is nice to have in the sitting room. Having a gas fire in the sitting room should be a selling point as people like to use them in the very cold weather, as well as being a good back up for if the boiler ever breaks down.

Doozergirl

Ben84 wrote: »

I doubt people care much about fireplaces these days, far too much mess and trouble to actually use. The chimney itself may be useful though for venting a modern gas fire, which is nice to have in the sitting room. Having a gas fire in the sitting room should be a selling point as people like to use them in the very cold weather, as well as being a good back up for if the boiler ever breaks down.

So, having a fireplace then? If it's a place with a fire in it, it's a fireplace. Whether it's gas or solid fuel.

Ben84

Doozergirl wrote: »

So, having a fireplace then? If it's a place with a fire in it, it's a fireplace. Whether it's gas or solid fuel.

Lol. I'm thinking more the difference between the old hole in the wall solid fuel burning fireplaces and the modern radiant gas fires that are mounted on the wall. Never thought of them as fireplaces, more as room heaters.