Gas Fire Removal Cost

Is your gas fire old and inefficient? Take it out and modernise your space, potentially save on energy bills and free up space for a new heating system.

But gas fire removal isn’t a DIY job – improper handling can lead to leaks or big bills. That’s why you need to hire a Gas Safe-registered engineer. This guide will tell you the costs involved and how to do it safely and efficiently.

On average, it will cost £215 to remove a gas fire, but this will depend on a few factors.

If you are looking for quotes from a gas-safe engineer, we can help you find a local engineer, too!

How Much to Remove a Gas Fire?

Hiring a Gas Safe registered engineer to remove a gas fire, cut and cap the gas pipe can be a relatively low-cost job. You can expect to pay from £180 to £250 depending on where you live and the type of fire.

However, sometimes gas fire removal is more complicated, and requires a larger budget - especially if you want the surrounding area changed.

Removing a fire surround or hearth, or removing a chimney and filling the hole, can cost between £300 up to £3,500, depending on the scope of the work.

Gas Fire Removal Prices

A simple gas fire removal will be at the lower end of the pricing, while a removal requiring repairs to the surrounding area or modifications for a new fire will be towards the higher end.

This table breaks down the average cost for some common gas fire removals:

Supply Cost of Gas Fire Removal

You should never attempt to remove a gas fire or cap a gas pipe yourself. You should always use a Gas Safe registered engineer, a legal requirement in the UK.

The following supplies are usually included in your engineer's labour fee, and include:

• Gas pipe cap and sealing materials — £10 to £20
• Plasterboard — £10 to £15 per sheet
• Filler and jointing compound — £5 to £15
• Plastering tools — £20 to £40
• Paint and primer — £20 to £50

Labour Cost to Remove Gas Fireplace & Timescales

Gas Safe registered engineers typically charge £150 to £200 per day. In London, this can be £20 to £60 higher per day.

A standard gas fire removal generally takes around 1 to 2 hours, for something simple like removing the gas fire and capping the pipe.

However, if the job is more complex - for example, involving sealing the flue or repairing the wall around the fire - it will take longer, around 3 to 4 hours.

Additional Gas Fire Removal Costs

Here are some common ways that your gas fire removal cost might be bumped up:

• Wall repair and plastering — You will need to budget for the cost of plastering if the hole left by removal leaves a messy gap, which is around £70 to £130 for a patch repair.
• Chimney cap installation — If you do not intend to use the chimney for a new fire, it can be more energy-efficient to cap the chimney itself. This keeps in the heat, keeps out rain and wind, and stops debris from falling into the fireplace. A chimney cap is an additional cost to gas fire removal, at around £150 to £250 per pot.
• Chimney breast removal — Chimney breast removal costs £2,500 and can be a big job, so it’s best to get a professional with the right equipment to carry it out.
• Skip hire costs — Although you don’t need a skip for a standard gas fire removal, if you’re also demolishing a chimney breast, or removing a large surround, you may need to consider it.

Factors That Impact Gas Fire Removal Costs

The cost of removing a gas fire or chimney can depend on the following factors:

• The condition and age of the fire — Older fires can be more complex to deal with, and older chimneys may be full of rubble that needs removal.
• Type of surround — The materials the surround is made of can affect cost. For example, a stone surround will take longer to remove than a surround that’s not built in. The type of surround will also impact the cost of repairs to the area after the fire is gone – a ragged hole full of rubble where the stone has been broken down will take longer to make good than an existing fireplace behind a gas fire.
• What you’re putting in place of the fire — Simply removing a fire and leaving a hole is a straightforward job, but if you want to fill in the hole or fit another type of fire, such as a log-burning stove, additional work will be required, pushing up the price.
• Location — This applies to both the location of the gas fire (is it easy for an engineer to access?) and the location of your property – areas with a higher cost of living tend to be more expensive to hire tradespeople.

Building Regulations Related to Gas Fire Removal

Gas fires must be installed and removed in line with relevant Building Regulations, including Part J where applicable.

Gas work should be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer to disconnect, remove, or repair gas appliances.

Your engineer will ensure your gas fire removal adheres to building regulations and safety codes related to gas line capping and ventilation.

Types of Gas Fire Removal Methods

Gas fire removal ranges from a simple hour’s work for a certified engineer to several days of building work. From simple to complex, common removal methods include:

Basic Disconnection and Removal of Gas Fire

This does what it says on the tin – a Gas Safe registered engineer disconnects the gas supply to your fire, removes the fire from the wall and safely caps off the gas supply pipe, sometimes sawing the pipe to situate it below floor level.

This basic job usually doesn’t include any making good of the wall or removal of the old fire or waste rubble. You’re left with rubbish disposal and DIY work to do.

Full Removal with Flue/Chimney Sealing

If you’re getting rid of your fireplace entirely rather than replacing it with a new fire installation, this is the recommended option.

Your Gas Safe registered engineer will remove the fire safely, cap the gas pipe, and seal the flue/chimney with ventilation to insulate the room.

You’re left with a sealed chimney hole, but you may have DIY work to do to finish the area.

Removal with Wall Repair

If you want a smooth wall where your gas fire was, this is the recommended option.

Some Gas Safe registered engineers offer this service along with gas fire removal, or you can employ a builder or plasterer to come in to finish off.

The job will involve the safe removal of the fire, removing any debris from the chimney, patching the hole and plastering it over. You may be left with some DIY work, such as painting the wall.

Alternative Heating Options

What will you put in place of your gas fire?

Modern heating options are often more efficient, and their design is more up-to-date and attractive than old-fashioned gas fires. Here’s a brief guide to the types of heating you might consider.

Electric Fires

Electric fires are close to 100% efficient at the point of use, but they do cost more to run than gas fires.

Most electric fires cost between £200 to £500 to install. You may require an electrician to run power to the fireplace, although plug-in options are available as the fastest and cheapest option.

Log-burning Stove

This is a popular option that can add a cosy real fire to a room while keeping a sleek modern design.

Log burner installation costs £2,300, and are typically fitted by HETAS-registered installers.

Log-burning stoves only heat one room at a time, and will need to be combined with other heating methods.

Bio-ethanol Fire

This type of fire produces a flame, but does not require a chimney or flue, so it can be a good option if you want to make space by removing a chimney breast.

Although the cost of the fire itself might be more than that of a gas fire (between £200 to £2,000+ depending on the design), fuel costs can vary, and they are usually ready to go out of the box, and do not require complex installation.

Energy-efficient Central Heating

Installing an energy-efficient boiler can be a significant investment.

Installing a new combi boiler costs around £4,250, with new radiators at an extra cost. Although these options are costly, they can help to save you money in the long term, as your energy bills are reduced.

You can choose to pair your new boiler with a smart thermostat to optimise your heating usage. Smart thermostats cost £265, and how much you’ll save will depend on the type of heating throughout your house and the size of your house, but is typically around 10% to 20% per year.

Removing a Gas Fire Yourself: Considerations and Costs

You should never attempt to remove a gas fire yourself. Working with gas appliances is dangerous, and a badly capped gas fitting can cause fires, explosions, lethal gas leaks and carbon monoxide risks.

Gas work must be carried out by a competent person, and this usually means a Gas Safe registered engineer. Only certified gas professionals should carry out gas line disconnection.

Once a Gas Safe registered engineer has removed your gas fire and capped off the supply pipe, you can safely carry out further DIY work, such as removing a fireplace surround, filling the hole, and plastering yourself.

Checklist: Gas Fire Removals in the UK

Consider these key points before hiring a Gas Safe engineer to remove your gas fire:

• Are they Gas Safe registered? Verify their Gas Safe registration to ensure legal compliance. All Gas Safe registered engineers are issued with ID cards.
• Are they insured? Check for public liability insurance to cover any accidental damage while work is being done in your property.
• What's included in the quote? Ask for an itemised breakdown of costs to see exactly what's included in the price.
• Is waste disposal included? Clarify the disposal plan for the removed gas fire unit - will the engineer take away the old gas fire as part of the price, or will you need to dispose of it yourself?
• How long will it take? Ask for a time estimate for the job based on your gas fire and surround type.
• Do they offer a guarantee? Ask about warranties or guarantees on parts and labour, and find out what is covered and whether they will fix any issues that arise.
• Do they have positive reviews? Check their MyJobQuote profile to see the feedback they have received from other homeowners.

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