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myGas Fire Removal Cost
At a Glance
- The average cost of gas fire removal is around £215.
- Most jobs take half a day to 2 days.
- Gas fire removal costs by types of gas fire.
- How long the job takes, and what the job entails.
- How to find a local gas engineer using MyJobQuote.
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Is your gas fire or gas fireplace old and inefficient? Taking it out can modernise your space, potentially reduce energy bills, and free up room 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!
£215
Table of Contents
- How Much to Remove a Gas Fire?
- Supply Cost of Gas Fire Removal
- Labour Cost to Remove Gas Fireplace & Timescales
- Additional Gas Fire Removal Costs
- Factors That Impact Gas Fire Removal Costs
- Types of Gas Fire Removal Methods
- Alternative Heating Options
- Removing a Gas Fire Yourself: Considerations and Costs
- Checklist: Gas Fire Removals in the UK
- FAQs
Gas Fire Removal Cost Calculator
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. If you're also thinking about gas fire installation costs, our separate guide covers what you can expect to pay.
However, sometimes gas fire removal is more complicated, and requires a larger budget, especially if you want the surrounding area changed.
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Removing a fire surround or hearth, or removing a chimney and filling the hole, can cost between £300 and £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:
| Job Description | Total Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Gas Fire Removal | £180–£250 |
| Removing Hearth and Surround | £300–£500 |
| Removing Chimney | £2,200–£3,500 |
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How Much Does It Cost to Cap Off a Gas Fire?
Capping off a gas fire refers to the process of safely sealing the gas supply pipe after the fire has been disconnected. This is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer as part of the standard removal process, so it is not usually an additional cost.
In most cases, the cost to cap off a gas pipe is included within the standard gas fire removal fee of £180 to £250. If you only need the gas pipe capped (for example, if the fire has already been removed), you can expect to pay around £50 to £100 for a Gas Safe engineer to attend and cap the supply.
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, labour costs can be £20 to £60 higher per day.
A standard gas fire removal generally takes around 1 to 2 hours for something simple like disconnecting the gas fireplace 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. This additional work will also increase the labour costs for the job.
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. A patch repair typically costs around £70 to £130. If you're also removing a hearth and surround, the total cost for removal and making good the wall — including plastering — can range from £370 to £630.
- 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 around £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 — 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.
- Redecorating — Once any plastering has dried (usually a week or two for a skim coat), you'll need to paint the area. If you're doing this yourself, budget around £20 to £50 for paint and primer. If you're hiring a decorator, painting costs will vary depending on the size of the area.
- Asbestos Testing — Older gas fires and surrounds — particularly in properties built or altered before 2000 — may contain asbestos materials. If you suspect this, do not attempt to remove anything yourself. An asbestos survey costs around £250 to £400 and must be carried out before any work begins.
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 — Traditional gas fires that are old or in poor condition can be more complex to remove. Older chimneys may also be full of rubble that needs clearing before work can be completed, adding to the overall time and cost.
- 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.
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.
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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
Replacing a gas fire with an electric fire is one of the most popular options for homeowners who want to remove their old gas fire.
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 and £500 to buy and install. Plug-in models are the simplest and cheapest option, while built-in electric fires may require an electrician to run a dedicated power supply, adding to the overall cost.
If you're budgeting for the full project, you should expect to pay £180 to £250 for the gas fire removal and pipe capping, plus £200 to £500 for the electric fire itself. If the wall needs patching or plastering after removal, add a further £70 to £130 for a patch repair.
The most cost-effective approach is to choose a plug-in electric fire that fits within the existing fireplace opening, which keeps both installation costs and disruption to a minimum.
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 around £2,300, and these 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 and £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 around £265, and how much you'll save depends on how you control your heating now.
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 carry out further DIY work, such as removing a fireplace surround, filling the hole, and plastering. Remember that asbestos may be present in homes built or refurbished before 2000, so check first as insulating board behind a fire is one of the places asbestos may be found.
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.
FAQs
Does Gas Fire Removal Affect My Home Insurance?
You should always let your home insurer know about any changes to your property, but it's up to the insurer whether or not removing a gas fire will change your premiums.
How Long Should I Wait After Removal Before Decorating?
If you're just having the gas fire removed and the pipe capped, you can decorate straight away. However, if the engineer has sealed the flue or you've had any plastering work done, you'll need to let it dry properly first. This usually takes a week or two for a skim coat or up to 4 weeks for a full replaster.
Can I Take the Case Off My Gas Fire Myself?
This depends on the type of casing around your gas fire. If it's decorative only and not connected to the workings of the fire, it may be safe to remove it. But, if it's integral to the internal working of the fire, only a Gas Safe registered engineer should remove it.
Do I Need to Sweep the Chimney Before Sealing It Up?
It's a good idea to budget the cost of a chimney sweep before sealing it up, especially if the gas fire has been in use for a long time. A build-up of soot can trap moisture once the chimney is sealed, leading to damp problems and unpleasant smells seeping through your walls.
Can I Replace a Gas Fire with an Electric Fire?
Yes, you can replace a gas fire with a new electric fire. Once a Gas Safe registered engineer has removed the old fire, make sure the gas pipe is capped so that it leaves room for the new fire. You'll need an electrician to run power to the fireplace and install the electric fire, or you can use a plug-in fire. The most straightforward approach is to choose an electric fire that fits in the hole where the old gas fire was.
Do I Need to Follow Any Building Regulations When Removing a Gas Fire?
Gas fires must be removed in line with gas safety regulations, so the job requires a Gas Safe registered engineer. In terms of Building Regulations, Part J applies in England when installing a new gas fire or stove in place of the old one.
A straightforward gas fire removal and pipe capping does not typically require a formal building regulations application. However, if you're making structural changes, such as removing a chimney breast, you will need building regulations approval, or a building warrant in Scotland. Your engineer can advise you on what applies to your specific job.
