Chimney Removal

Shermanator

Hi

Can anyone tell me what I can expect to pay for the removal of a Chimney breast in Southampton?

I have the full width of the breast in the living room, and then a masonary "box" in the bedroom above (just housing a flue lining?) and the chimney in the loft/outside.

Possiby, depending on cost, would just need the pro's in to do the outside stack and the loft, and the rest I can do with a hammer and bolster?

Thanks - Lee

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

If you remove the breast from downstairs, what will the joists in the upper floor and loft rest in?

ukwoody

Yes, it depends on the exact construction. In many houses the 1st floor joists will rest on the "shoulders" of the chimney breast. If they've used a trimming joist then there shouldn't be a problem, but you need to know waht you're looking for.
It is a filty dirty job that gets soot EVERY where throught the house. Once the upstairs stack has been dismantled you can *probably* do the rest yourself working downwards, but be warned, it takes far far far longer than you think and creates 3 times as much rubble as you expect - often because chiney breasts are a box within a box. If you do proceed yourself, for God's sake wear face masks.
When dismantling it you need to be very careful to not remove any bricks that phyiscally tie the chimney into the house wall.

It is far bigger and riskier job than many think, and there are tons of example where people have got it wrong and the side of the house has gone. Acrop props are esssential.

My own advice would be to, get a couple of builders in, tell them you are considering doing the lower sections yourself and can they advise if they would reccomend it in your house.

woody

Shermanator

Thanks for the info..

I did get a builder round on Saturday and he said that it will be ok to take out and that nothing would need to be done with the joists....

I will take the floorboards up around the breast in the bedroom and see what the joists are doing and then reports back !

Thanks

sneaky

I recently had two chimneys removed from two bedrooms. The guy charged me £150 for each. I provided the brackets and lintels

Shermanator

For that price I would not even attempt it myself !

But you are now going to tell me that your on a small island outside Scotland ?? :rotfl:

sneaky

no central birmingham

plenty of cheap skilled immigrant labour available..

btw i had to get permission from the council's building consultancy dept
I had a visit from them to make sure the work carried out was safe. Not sure whether you need to contact them.

Shermanator

How did you find the skilled immigrants? Something I have considered, lots and lots of Polish in Southampton.

Also, did the local coucil come out and do this, and was there a charge? I am happy for this to happen because it will also give me piece of mind.

sneaky

Its a risky business.Always use someone that has been recommended or has done this kind of job for a good few years. The person I used had done the work for a few other people in the area. There was a small fee for the two visits.

JMC39

sneaky wrote: »

I recently had two chimneys removed from two bedrooms. The guy charged me £150 for each. I provided the brackets and lintels

Is that the 'norm'? Seems very cheap to me - would certainly help me get around the kitchen planning issue I have at the moment.