Cost to Open Up Fireplace

The cost of opening up a fireplace can vary. Factors that can influence how much you will pay include how much structural work, if needed, whether you need to make changes to your chimney and the kind of fireplace you want.

Read on to find out more about what to expect if you’re thinking about opening up a fireplace for a log burner or another installation.

How Much Does It Cost to Open Up a Fireplace?

More and more homeowners in the UK are choosing to open up their fireplaces. Opening up a fireplace comes with a number of benefits and can make your space more functional and welcoming. Many people have been opening up their fireplaces to install wood burners for extra warmth, character and ambience.

An open fireplace can be an amazing centrepiece within your space, whether you’re restoring a fireplace or creating a brand-new one. It can make your home feel much more ambient, with the look and sound of flickering flames keeping your space welcoming throughout the colder months of the year.

Another great reason for opening up a fireplace is that you can use it for a practical heating solution like a wood-burning stove or an open hearth. It can help you cut your reliance on your central heating and help you stay warm when it’s cold outside.

Another reason why so many people are opening up their fireplaces is to add value to their properties. A fireplace can be an incredibly desirable feature, and the amount you pay to open up your fireplace can be greatly eclipsed by how much value it adds to your home.

Opening up a fireplace can also be a great idea if you want to run your home in a more sustainable manner. You can keep your space warm by using a wood burner and sourcing the wood from responsible local suppliers. Many people move into homes that have gorgeous original fireplaces that just need a little work to look beautiful again.

Opening them up means you can make the most of a property’s original features and enjoy the craftsmanship which originally went into creating your home. Reopening a fireplace can also improve the way that air circulates around your property.

The cost of opening a fireplace can vary a lot. One of the biggest influences on how much you’ll pay is whether the fireplace was originally boarded up. In some cases, some of the old surround or insert will still be visible, but in most cases, this will no longer be present, and the opening will have been boarded or bricked up. You can expect to pay less if the opening has been boarded up rather than bricked over.

Some of the main factors that influence the price of opening up a fireplace include the size of the fireplace, how old it is and how you intend to use the fireplace. Some people want to make their fireplace fully functional, whilst others just want to use it as a decorative piece. Where you live may also have an impact on the price, and you may pay more if there are fewer tradespeople in your area to carry out the work.

Fireplace Opening Prices

Supply Costs

There are quite a few costs that you may need to think about if you wish to open up your fireplace. You might need to cover the costs of a hearth, lintels, fire surrounds, and flue liners, to give a few examples.

The materials you want to use can also have a big influence on cost. There can be big differences between the costs of materials like stone, brick and cast iron. You can expect to pay more if you’re interested in higher-end finishes and designs.

Additional Costs

When you’re opening up a fireplace, you’ll also need to think about potential extra costs that you might face beyond the main installation. You might need to pay for a building inspection to make sure that the structure is safe, especially if you need to carry out extra work, like reinforcing your chimney or walls. You may also need to pay a substantial amount for waste removal services.

You may also need to pay for chimney capping so you can stop water ingress and wildlife from entering your chimney. You might also need to add a ventilation system for safety and efficiency, as well as install a flue liner if you’re adding a wood burner or open fire.

The purpose of a flue liner is to make sure that smoke and dangerous gases are sent outside. A flue liner can protect your home from fire hazards and make your heating appliance more efficient. How much you will pay for a flue liner can depend on the size of the chimney and the kind of liner you want. Popular options include clay and stainless steel.

Labour Costs and Timescales

There are lots of factors that can influence what you’ll need to pay for labour costs. Some of these include how complex the project is and which tasks are needed. Tradespeople can either charge hourly or daily rates. You can expect to pay more to use the services of more experienced tradespeople, and your location can play a part, too. If you need to install lintels, this can add a few hundred pounds to the cost.

If you only need a basic fireplace opening, this may only take one day. The tradespeople will need to assess your space, remove blockages and get rid of any debris.

However, the job could take an additional couple of days if you want to add additional features like a wood burner or ventilation system. The extra time should ensure that everything is installed carefully and efficiently, with all safety regulations being met and the project being completed to a high standard.

Cost Factors for Opening up a Fireplace

Here’s a list of the main cost factors you need to think about when opening up a fireplace:

• Size of the existing chimney
• Structural condition
• Fireplace type
• Material finishes
• Flue liner installation
• Ventilation system
• Building inspections
• Waste removal
• Labour costs
• Additional features

Building Regulations Linked to Opening up Fireplaces

When you’re opening up a fireplace, you’ll have to comply with specific building regulations and planning permissions for safety and compliance reasons. All new installations need to meet strict safety criteria.

The chimney must be in good condition and comply with height standards. If the chimney isn’t high enough, it might cause insufficient ventilation and the dangerous build-up of fumes. Your chimney might need to be inspected for structural integrity to meet local building regulations and lined with a suitable flue liner for the appliance you’re installing.

You may need to tell your local authority or ask for planning permission if the installation means making big alterations to your property, is a listed building or is located in a conservation area. You’ll need to comply with all relevant regulations to keep yourself and others safe whilst maintaining the value and integrity of the property.

Types of Fireplaces to Open Up

There are many options available to you when it comes to opening up a fireplace. Decorative fireplaces can be incredible focal points and can feature exceptional designs and fascinating historical features, but not all of them work well for heating.

Wood-burning stoves are another option and can help you create a wonderful atmosphere and enjoy the warmth you’re seeking at the same time. Open fires can also be very atmospheric but can need more extensive work for safety and efficiency reasons.

Although you may pay less for a decorative fireplace, it might not give you what you need in terms of heating efficiency. Wood-burning stoves and open fires can cost you more because of the structural work they need to help you comply with safety regulations.

Alternative Types of Fireplaces

If you’re thinking about installing another kind of fireplace, options are available, including stylish and convenient electric and bioethanol fireplaces. These have become popular amongst people looking for efficient and aesthetically pleasing solutions that don’t require them to make big changes to their homes. Electric fireplaces don’t need ventilation, which means they can be great for homes that don’t have chimneys.

Bioethanol fireplaces use renewable bioethanol fuel to make real flames. You don’t need flues or chimneys to install these because they only emit carbon dioxide and water vapour. Both of these options are simple to maintain.

Removing or Restoring a Fireplace

Removing a fireplace can be a big job, and you’ll need to pay not only for the removal itself but also for debris disposal costs. Once the fireplace has been taken out, you might also need to pay to repair nearby walls and floors.

The costs of repairing a fireplace can vary depending on its condition and the finish that you want. Simple finishing can be inexpensive, but you can find yourself paying a lot more if you need to carry out extensive repairs. These repairs tend to require a great deal of skill and experience.

Hiring Contractors Checklist

• Verify relevant experience
• Check certifications, including HETAS certification for solid fuel installations
• Get a clear, transparent quote
• Understand the scope of the work to stay within your budget
• Assess how well they communicate with you

FAQs

Sources

https://www.imaginfires.co.uk/blog/how-to-open-up-fireplace-guide/
https://www.direct-fireplaces.com/our-blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-opening-up-an-old-fireplace/