Removing chimney breast (old stove)

Jimmygg7

I have an old stove in my kitchen (building is from the 1910s).

The dimensions are about 1.50m wide and 60cm deep, so it's taking up quite a lot of space in my kitchen.

I'm based in zone 2 in London. I would like to ask whether anyone has a rough guide price of how much this would cost to remove?

Also, do I need alteration permission from the freeholder? Can the freeholder refuse on any grounds? I'm on the 1st floor.

clive0510

dont do anything, untill you have spoken to a structural engineer. that chimney breast is probably part of the structure of the whole building. the cost of it will be massive, with all the removal of the old one. they charge you removal and disposable charges, and then all they do is use that for hardcore on a job they got elsewhere. as for permissions, you really need a solicitor. a job like this really has to be done right 1st time.

Jimmygg7

clive0510 said:

dont do anything, untill you have spoken to a structural engineer. that chimney breast is probably part of the structure of the whole building. the cost of it will be massive, with all the removal of the old one. they charge you removal and disposable charges, and then all they do is use that for hardcore on a job they got elsewhere. as for permissions, you really need a solicitor. a job like this really has to be done right 1st time.

Of course I will consult a structural engineer. I am also aware of the high costs, I've just heard different prices, anything from 10k to 20k which is a broad range, that's why I was asking.

clive0510

Yes indeed. without seeing it, I would guess nearer to the 20 than the 10. very labour intensive job.

RAS

How many floors in the building? 

Section62

Jimmygg7 said:

I'm on the 1st floor.

Does the ground floor still use/want the chimney?  There is a good chance theirs is built in as a flue through the chimney breast in your kitchen.

Alter_ego

You do need freeholder permission. Of course they can refuse - it's their building

Jimmygg7

Section62 said:

Jimmygg7 said:

I'm on the 1st floor.

Does the ground floor still use/want the chimney?  There is a good chance theirs is built in as a flue through the chimney breast in your kitchen.

No, their boiler flue is directly on the outer wall, so I wouldn't expect that they use it for anything.

Jimmygg7

Alter_ego said:

You do need freeholder permission. Of course they can refuse - it's their building

 We all share part of freehold, so technically it's "us" who call the shots.

RAS

How many floors?

Jimmygg7

RAS said:

How many floors?

Just one. It's a flat within a 3 storey building (+ ground floor)