Bungalow Double side chimney removal appx cost ?

everfor007

It 50's Bungalow, there is  double side chimney, one side facing in living room and bedroom which can lit up the fire on both side.
To free up the space i want to remove the chimney both sides and patch up with dry wall frame and plaster it.. Just want to take out  at room level only leaving attic and outside top chimney, i guess dry wall  frame will act supporter  for attic load. 

Property is located in Guildford area, is any planning permission required to remove the chimney and what sort out of average money will builder charge  for removal and fix the plaster?

stuart45

You need to go through building control. Needs a bit more than a stud wall to pin up the stack. An SE would advise you on what's needed.

Section62

everfor007 said:

To free up the space i want to remove the chimney both sides and patch up with dry wall frame and plaster it.. Just want to take out  at room level only leaving attic and outside top chimney, i guess dry wall  frame will act supporter  for attic load. 

You need an SE - firstly to work out whether the chimney is providing lateral support, secondly to design a support system for the remaining part of the chimney.  You will also need building regs signoff or have an absolute nightmare when you try to sell the property.

Don't 'guess' at anything.  Do it properly as people's lives and your finances are at risk here.

GDB2222

500 bricks weigh a ton. I can’t see your chimney, but it could have 1 or 2 thousand bricks in it. Plus mortar. So, it could be a couple of tons easily. 

Just count the bricks on the bit you can see, then work downwards …

FreeBear

Want to see what happens when it is done wrong ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HF1pHzGkSC4

A chimney collapsing will do a lot of damage and will kill. Removing a chimney breast needs to be done properly, and the right support put in place - This will need to be a suitably sized steel beam resting on solid walls either end. You will need structural engineer calculations and Building Control sign-off. If you don't get both, you will have difficulties selling the property in years to come (assuming it is still standing).

everfor007

Thank you for the reply. approximately what's sort of budget  it'll cost including engaging the SE, building control Sign and removal.
Appreciate if anybody can give me some clue on the costing side.. 

Section62

everfor007 said:

Thank you for the reply. approximately what's sort of budget  it'll cost including engaging the SE, building control Sign and removal.
Appreciate if anybody can give me some clue on the costing side.. 

Difficult to say as there are so many variables when you have various possible structural scenarios. Demolishing brickwork and making good is the cheaper part - buying and installing structural steelwork varies from "pricey" to "extortionate".

The SE may advise if it is likely to be cheaper to remove the whole chimney (i.e. through the loft and roof) rather than trying to support it.  You need to think whether that option would be acceptable to you.

GDB2222

It’s possibly cheaper to take the whole chimney down, from ground to chimney pot. Certainly, you should think about that option. 

I’d throw my hat in the ring and say £10k. 

stuart45

Is it a semi or detached?

everfor007

detached bungalow.. Having 2 chimneys..

Woolsery

Removing a chimney also removes some future heating options and loses some authenticity, but that might not matter in a suburban property. In an area like the one I live in it would be most unwise.

As others have said, a properly specified structural support should keep whatever's left in place. Personally I would keep the visible parts because it's a 50s place not a 90s 'box, ' but this is personal. In my old road nearly everyone had 'fish tank' windows on the front of their 30s semis, but we couldn't have lived with those. Our buyers agreed.