Chimney Breast, free removal?

dodgy_damo

Hi all
I'm doing up my 2 bed upstairs maisonette.
The other day I had a note from my downstairs neighbours son. He wants to remove the chimney breast that is located in her kitchen. He proposed a joint venture. I alos have a chimney brest in my kitchen, that obviuosly goes up through the loft, with said chimney above (all redundant)
As a FTB, all my savings are tied up on improvements, I've just had a new combi put in, am onto a rewire and need ceilings, & 1 wall skimmed, then a kitchen.
I rang him today to say I'm skint with all these other projects, and cant afford it.
He said that my outlay would be minimal. He would pay for the removal of the chimney, a skip to put all the rubble. he said my only cost would be labour to remove my chimney. He would also pay a roofer (friend) to repair the hole in the roof that this would leave.
To me this looks like a big job, and speaking to a friend (who has seen and done some work on my property) it would prob need (a) a structural engineer to assess, (b) planning permission, (c) RSJ to support,etc.
I'm under the impression that this guy isnt in the building trade, and thinks it will be a case of just whisking out the bricks. Is he dreaming up an easy job?
I know next door had it done as they had an extension built...something that I will consider in the future.
I told him i would get back to him after advice.

Ken68

Put it in writing, Dodgy, that you are seeking advice and not to proceed.
All that work and spending just to free up two or three sq yards. Doesn't make sense.
Your insurance company needs to be told.

dodgy_damo

Yeah I hear that. He cant remove his mothers breast without removing mine I would assume, unless he put in some sort of structural support?
I would insist on a written agreement before any work was to take place anyhow.
And the space gained would only be a few feet like you say.

cattie

It would definitely need support from the loft & also need to be signed off with building control & a certificate issued.

paddy's_mum

My grandfather (a master roofer, at a time that the title really meant something) always said that the chimney stack was the strongest part of a house and that it was what the rest of the house hung on.

I'd be wanting to have the services of an expert surveyor before I let so much as a line of mortar be taken out. If you have a mortgage, your lenders almost certainly have something in the small print that you may not do this (possibly jeopardising the integrity of the property) without their knowledge and consent.

Canucklehead

Good evening: Further advice is available here... http://www.richmond.gov.uk/home/environment/building_control/building_control_technical_advice_and_guidance/chimney_stack_removal_guidance/chimney_stack_removal_and_the_building_regulations.htm

Other council websites have similar info....removal of a chimney breast isn't a DIY job...professionals only for safety's sake (and ensure whoever does the job has professional indemnity insurance just in case :eek: )

HTH

Canucklehead

paddy's_mum

I may not have used the technical word but if you go to the website that Canucklehead kindly gave, the very first consideration in such a project is (how very strange) structural strength.

If you then click on the section Chimney Stack Removal Guidance, it specifically says, a few lines down, that "the chimney is part of the structure of the house and its removal should be carefully considered before any work is carried out." (My emphasis)

Never mind whether the exact technical term was used. I'm sure that dodgy damo and his neighbour would understand precisely what I meant. I suppose I should be pleased that genuine attempts to offer help gave andrew b and his wife such a laugh.

marybishop

If maisonette is a semi-detached property you will need to serve Party Wall notice on adjoining owner of your intention to do this work. Also is there a freeholder involved here as he/she will need to be notified and his/her permission sought.

silvercar

If your neighbour wants to remove his half and you don't want to pay to do the same to your half, the neighbour has two options; either he provides support to your remaining half or he pays for the removal of your half and making good.

Either way it is going to cost your neighbour more than half the cost of removing both halves, even with a bit of a contribution to your half.

dodgy_damo

I dont think I'llneed a party wall agreement as there is no adjoining property on that wall.
The freeholder is the lady downstairs, its her son who wants to do the work.
I think he's under the impression you just pull the bricks out, I've only had a 10 minute converstation with him. he mentuioned a roofer 'mate' to sort the roof out.
The more I think about this the more agravation it will become, especially for the small amount of space i will gain. And the insurance issues put me off too!