Can we do this ourselves? Fireplace and BT phone box

never_enough

wiggly wrote: »

well, the fireplace was sealed up before with an old fire, gaffer taped air tight to the hole (which was disconnected) so its been closed a while now. I assumed we'd need to leave a vent/hole at the bottom and I assume the chimney is already closed as it hadn't been used in years (we've been there 3 years and it had been disconnected long before we moved in - we did rent, and then we bought it)

how would I know if the chimney was closed at the top?

its such a shame we can't use the fireplace though, is re-lining a flue/chimney expensive?

Will depend on your chimney, I've been quoted between £1,000 & £2500 to have a liner put in for a wood burning stove, plus have the chimney stack re-pointed & a couple of new pots put on. Are you sure you need a liner, it's not always necessary.

Btw 1930's fireplaces can be very collectable (although some *are* just hideous) so if you can get it out in decent condition you may have some money towards the new fire.

wiggly

I've shown a photo of ours to the local antique fireplace and he laughed said it was worth more as rubble

never_enough

wiggly wrote: »

I've shown a photo of ours to the local antique fireplace and he laughed said it was worth more as rubble

ah....ok... forget that idea then. A friend bought one & it wasn't cheap, it is nice though. She was looking in salvo yards & ebay for ages. Said she'd met other equally obsessed people looking for them too.
If you get your chimney lined it might be worth looking into having a stove rather than an open fire. You can get all sorts, very funky modern or more traditional, coloured, stainless steel etc. They're better from a heating point of view, you get more in the room & less goes straight up the chimney.