Removing chimney breast and knocking through wall - reasonable?

bluep

We've just had a quote for:
- removal of chimney breast in downstairs room and bedroom above
- support for the chimney in loft area
- making good walls and ceiling
£3,120 including vat

- taking down wall (by removing current double doors and enlarging gap) between front and back downstairs room leaving support piers
- putting in a rsj
- boxing/plastering
£1476 including vat

We're up North so usually much cheaper than London/South prices - does this sound reasonable? The chimney removal quote was much higher than I was expecting. We're not bothered about redecoration/immaculate finish as will sort this out ourselves afterwards.

ads910

chimney removal seems a but high, would it not be cheaper to remove it out the loft and the roof and re tile the roof area where the chimney was than to try create a support for the remander of the chimney brest. that's what I did in my house.

peterwalker1984

Just about to buy a house up North that I've considered getting exact same jobs done in!

Hate how much space chimney breasts take up. Especially upstairs for wardrobes etc.

I'm probably going to leave it because of the cost though. Also was told a lot of people like the chimney breasts on resale. If I was living in the house forever I think I'd get rid.

bluep

The chimney breast/fireplaces aren't a feature in this place at all. We left them in our last house as it was a Victorian terrace and they were a lovely feature. But this place is 1930s and the fireplaces are U-G-L-Y and not open fires, the chimney breasts aren't attractive and there's not a fireplace in the bedroom at all - just a jutting out bit of wall.

The loft chimney is where the two different chimneys (front and back) merge into one so it would be more difficult to remove it on up through the roof. Shouldn't be a major issue to rekey the brickwork adn stick in a steel support...

The quote for removing the chimney is nearly double what I'd expected (and builders forums on the net estimate £1200 - £1800. The widening the doors into one open room is on the high side of the range I'd thought it would come out at.

rob7475

I had similar work done about 18 month ago.

Removed chimney breast from dining room and bedroom above, installed RSJ in loft to support remaining chimney.

Removed load bearing wall between kitchen and dining room (10ft), install RSJ.

All making good

Total - £2400 including council sign off.

I'm in west yorkshire

lynnemcf

I had this done, by my F-i-L so I dont know exact costs, but we needed TWO SKIPS to take away the bricks ... cost a fortune!!!

bluep

rob7475 wrote: »

I had similar work done about 18 month ago.

Removed chimney breast from dining room and bedroom above, installed RSJ in loft to support remaining chimney.

Removed load bearing wall between kitchen and dining room (10ft), install RSJ.

All making good

Total - £2400 including council sign off.

I'm in west yorkshire

At those rates, might be worth me paying your builder to drive across the Pennines!! Thanks really useful comparison as labour rates in my town shouldn't be that different to Yorkshire.

HOMESWEETHOME

rob7475 wrote: »

I had similar work done about 18 month ago.

Removed chimney breast from dining room and bedroom above, installed RSJ in loft to support remaining chimney.

Removed load bearing wall between kitchen and dining room (10ft), install RSJ.

All making good

Total - £2400 including council sign off.

I'm in west yorkshire

Can i asked who did this..Im based in Rotherham

Akk223

Am also looking for the same....any recommendations would be useful