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Moving a Fireplace Cost

Last updated 17th July 2024 - Reading time: 12 mins

At a glance

The average cost of moving a fireplace is around £1,000
The duration of the job will depend on the type of fireplace

In this article, you'll discover the following:

A complete pricing breakdown which includes things you need to consider, along with what such a task usually involves
How long the job should approximately take and a general overview of what types of services can be performed
How to find and hire a fireplace specialist

Moving a fireplace has become very popular, and the process is now easier than ever before.

There are several reasons why you may want to move a fireplace, including repositioning to a different part of the room or moving your fireplace to your new home.

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Getting a fireplace moved will typically cost around £1,000 on average.

Average Cost of Moving a Fireplace:

Depending on the complexity of the job, it can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days

£1000

How Much Does Moving a Fireplace Cost?
- Fireplace Relocation Prices?
Additional Costs
Labour Costs and Timescales
Cost Factors of Moving a Fireplace
What's Involved in Moving a Fireplace?
Can I Replace a Fireplace Myself?
Building Regulations & Planning Permission for a Fireplace Relocation
Hiring Contractors to Move a Fireplace Checklist
FAQs
Sources

How Much Does Moving a Fireplace Cost?

There are several rules that need to be followed when moving a fireplace, so it's best to leave the work to a professional.

So how much will moving a fireplace cost?

The price you pay for moving a fireplace will depend on the type of fire, the ease of access, the difficulty of the job, and your location in the UK. The average cost to move a fireplace is around £70-£1500.

Fireplace Relocation Prices 

Below is a list of fireplace relocation costs:

Fireplace Removal Cost	Average Costs
Gas fire removal and disconnection	£150-£200
Electric fire removal and disconnection	£150-£200
Wood fire removal	£100-£200
Coal fire removal	£100-£200
Electric fireplace installation	£400-£2000
Install brick fireplace	£920-£3850
Install stone fireplace	£600-£3450
Install gas fireplace	£500-£700

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Additional Costs

There are several additional costs that you may need to think about when moving a fireplace. Below is a list of the additional things that you may need to think about when relocating your fireplace:

Chimney Liner

When you move or replace your fireplace, you may want to invest in a new chimney liner to ensure your fire remains safe and efficient. The average cost of lining a chimney is around £600-£1,000.

The price you pay will depend on the size of your chimney, the materials used, and your location in the UK.

Moving a Radiator

When moving your fireplace, you may also be interested in moving your radiators to improve the aesthetics of the room.

The average cost to move a radiator to a new location is around £120-£180 per radiator. The price can depend on the size and type of the radiator, the ease of access, and your location in the UK.

Labour Costs and Timescales

It can be quite difficult to determine exactly how much you can expect to pay for the labour costs of moving a fireplace.

The price will depend on several different factors, including the fireplace's size, the type of fireplace, where it's being moved to, the ease of access, the difficulty of the job, and your location in the UK.

On average, you can expect to pay around £100-£1,000 for the labour costs of moving your fireplace. A heating engineer will usually charge around £30-£45 per hour. With this in mind, the overall cost can add up depending on the length of time that the job takes.

Similarly, it can also be very difficult to determine how long it will take to move your fireplace. Some smaller fireplaces could be moved within a few hours; however, larger or more difficult fireplaces may take a few days to move.

For a more accurate estimate, it's a good idea to speak to a heating specialist who can come out to your fireplace and give you a more accurate quote for the costs and timescales for your particular fireplace movement job.

Cost Factors of Moving a Fireplace

As we have mentioned above, several things can affect the overall cost of moving a fireplace. In this section, we will take a closer look at those factors so that you can get a better idea of which factors may affect your particular fireplace relocation job.

Size of Fireplace

The size of the fireplace can make a very big difference in the overall cost that you'll pay for the job. Larger fireplaces will usually be much more difficult and will take longer to move.

Some large fireplaces may even require more than one contractor to complete the move. The longer the job takes, the more you will have to pay in labour fees. If an additional person is needed to complete the move, this can increase the labour costs even more.

Type of Fireplace

The type of fireplace that you're moving can also affect the overall cost of the job. Some types of fireplaces are much more difficult to move than others. For example, brick, stone or marble fireplaces tend to be much heavier and more fragile than wooden fireplaces.

With this in mind, the type of fireplace can affect how long the job takes and, therefore, can affect the labour costs for the job.

Location of Property

The location of your property can affect the price that you pay to move your fireplace. Those based in London can expect to pay more for the labour costs compared to those based in the North or other parts of the UK.

On average, heating specialists will charge around £5-£10 more per hour in London than heating specialists based in other parts of the UK.

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What's Involved in Moving a Fireplace?

It can be difficult to determine exactly what is involved in moving a fireplace as every job will be different depending on the circumstances. If you are planning on moving a small electric fire, this is quite a simple and cheap job to complete.

This type of fire is very lightweight, and since it doesn't involve any messy or potentially unsafe gas, it can easily be completed by a competent DIY enthusiast. This is usually the best option if you are on a tight budget.

If you are looking to move a much larger fireplace, then the work will be quite difficult, and you may be limited on where you can move the fireplace to. If you move your fireplace from one location to another, you will have a redundant chimney stack.

This will need to be properly decommissioned, and provisions will need to be made to ensure that no dampness or wildlife can enter your property and cause damage.

Below is a list of steps that your contractor will most likely take when moving your fireplace from one area of the room to another. However, not all fireplace relocation jobs will take these steps.

It's a good idea to speak to your contractor first to determine the exact method they will use for your particular fireplace:

Take several photographs of the fireplace so that it can be reassembled in the same way later on.
Remove all of the nails, screws, and brackets from the back of the fireplace so that they can be lifted away from the wall.
As you remove each part, label it appropriately to help with the reassembly.
When it comes to reassembling, you will need to start at the bottom, placing the hearth firmly.
Build upwards according to your photographs and labelling.

If the fireplace is large, you will need to have an inspection to ensure that it is safe and adheres to building regulations.

Can I Replace a Fireplace Myself?

If you are planning on moving a small electric fireplace, you may be able to complete this as a DIY project.

These fireplaces tend to be quite lightweight and easy to move, so it shouldn't take too long to complete by yourself. Moving an electric fireplace yourself can help to save you a lot of money in labour costs.

However, if you plan to move a gas fireplace, or if your fireplace is quite large, it may be subject to building regulations. In these cases, you will need to leave the work up to a professional.

If the fire is a gas fire, then a gas safety registered engineer will need to complete the work to ensure that it is completely safe for you and your family.

Building Regulations & Planning Permission for a Fireplace Relocation

Building regulations will apply if you install a flue in the new location for your fireplace. You should take into account factors such as the ventilation and the general safety of the fire. The installation of your fire in its new position should be carried out by a qualified professional.

If you are completing work on your chimney, then this will require building regulations approval as chimneys are usually load-bearing. When working on the chimney, you should speak to a structural engineer for advice before making any changes.

If you plan to remove the chimney completely when you move your fireplace to a new position, then a structural engineer or architect will have to assess the strength of the party or gable wall.

They will also check the thickness of the chimney flue and the height to determine what support measures need to be put in place.

If you are unsure as to whether or not your particular fireplace relocation job will need building regulations approval, then it is best to get in touch with your local authority for some advice.

All chimney relocation jobs are different, and while some require approval, others may not.

Hiring Contractors to Move a Fireplace Checklist

You will need to consider a few things before hiring contractors to move your fireplace for you. Below is a list of some of the main things that you should consider when looking for the right contractors for the job:

Does the contractor offer any guarantees with their work?
How much is the work to complete? – Ask for a breakdown of costs so you can ensure you are paying a good price for each element of the job.
Is the contractor experienced in moving the type of fireplace that you have?
How many years' worth of experience does the contractor have in relocating fireplaces?
How many contractors will carry out the job?
Will the contractor fix any issues that may arise?
Will the contractor take care of any relevant waste removal?
Do you need to hire any additional contractors for different parts of the work?
Will the contractor follow all of the relevant building regulation guidelines?
Is the contractor on the gas safe register (if necessary)?

FAQs

How do you clean a marble fireplace?

If you are cleaning a wet spillage from a marble fireplace, you should blot the liquid with a clean, soft rag. If the dirt is dry, dust the surface of the marble with a dry, soft cloth.

If your marble has a stubborn stain, you will need to opt for a special marble-cleaning product and follow the instructions carefully.

To maintain your marble fireplace, you should wipe it with hot water and mild dish soap around 3-4 times each year. You should also apply sealant at least once each year. This will help to protect your fireplace, keep it clean and help it to resist stains.

Avoid using any harsh cleaners or acidic cleaners on your marble fireplace, as these can harm the finish of the stone and can ruin its appearance.

Does an open gas fire need a fire guard?

It is highly recommended that you use a fire guard with all types of open fires. This can help to protect children and pets from the fire. Fire guards can also help prevent any hot materials from dropping away from the fire and stop any soft objects or clothing from catching fire by being too close to the flames.

Does a gas fire require an electricity supply?

Not every single gas fire will require an electricity supply; however, some of them do. Most gas fires won't need an electricity supply.

Can you take a fireplace with you when you move house?

Yes, it is possible to take a fireplace with you when you move house; however, it is not always possible.

You will need to completely protect all of the parts of the fireplace so that they remain intact on the journey. You should also take photographs and label each part so that you know exactly how to put it back together in your new home.

How much does it cost to remove a chimney?

If you are relocating your fireplace to a new location in the room, you may want to remove the chimney. The cost to remove a chimney can vary depending on the size of the chimney, the ease of access, and the difficulty of the job. On average, it costs around £2,200-£3,500 to remove a chimney.