new fire help

Thriftkitten

Hi I have just won a franco belge belfont gas coal burner effect fire from ebay for a snip of the price of a new one, boy was it heavy to get in the front door 55kg. Anyhoo, I have a small standard council house open fire, my question is, how do i go about getting the fireplace dug out and getting this installed, it is only a 4.5kw so to my knowledge I dont need a vent, I also dont think I need the chimney lined, but would like the black pipe once all the fireplace is dug out to give the effect of a logburner... my question is where do I start? builder, plumber, gas fitter, is there a cheaper way round it or should I just ring a fireplace installation company and get a few quotes please, any previous experience welcomed...

BuildingFife

A fireplace installation company is your best bet, in more cases they will have their own plumber or work with a plumber who is regularly installing fires, apposed to your normal gas engineer, whom does the odd fire as they can sometimes miss some things

Thriftkitten

BuildingFife wrote: »

A fireplace installation company is your best bet, in more cases they will have their own plumber or work with a plumber who is regularly installing fires, apposed to your normal gas engineer, whom does the odd fire as they can sometimes miss some things

Thanks for your reply, I have a couple of companies lined up this month so will see what the variation on price is;)

rustyboy21

You may be better trying to hold back for fitting, until after Christmas.

Any decent Fireplace fitter will be booked solid this side of Christmas.

I only have a couple of slots left in my books.

If you try and push for it before Christmas, be prepared to pay more, They will fit fires they have sold themselves, before fitting something they haven't made any profit on.

Fitting wise, you will have to have the chamber knocked out, to fit it in place. You will need stove pipe coming either out the top, or out the back and a 90 deg bend, onto more stove pipe. You may also need the flue lined, if the manufacturer states it in the installer guide. This is to ensure the flue gases go up your flue.

The most important thing though, is, You say it is a council house. Do you actually own the property? If not, then you will need permission from the council to fit it. They, after all, have to service it each year, for their landlord safety check.

Thriftkitten

Hi and thank you for your reply, I did ask around regarding the permission, I already have an open fire, but yes I'm assuming that to have it knocked out more I would need to check with the council and ask permission. regarding the installation, the kids are wringing me out regarding xmas pressies, so I wouldn't be able to afford it all until after the new year, and yes I would prefer a proper fire installation company for piece of mind to be honest.:D

rustyboy21

If you time it right and go to a decent, reputable fireplace showroom after Christmas, you should find that they are able to help you and be a bit more open to fitting it. First few weeks of the year are usually quieter, as it takes a couple of weeks to get stock in after Christmas.

With regards to the council, you would be better speaking to them, to get permission, as they may class it as structural changes and you don't own the house. They are also under a legal obligation to safety check all gas appliances every 12 months, so this comes under their remit. They will service your boiler, but may be unhappy to do the same to a fire they have not supplied. Councils now are refusing to fit gas fires, instead fitting Electric ones instead, which need no servicing. If you fit it without their say so, they could condemn it and take action for changes without their say so.

Speak to them and see how the land lies, don't try to do it behind their backs.

Thriftkitten

Thanks for your advice I will call and find the right dept tomorrow or thurs and update here.