Moving a Fireplace Cost

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 £1,050 on average.

How Much Does Moving a Fireplace Cost?

So, how much will moving a fireplace cost?

The average cost to move a fireplace is £1,050.

The price you pay for moving a fireplace will depend on:

• The type of fire
• Ease of access
• The job's complexity
• Your location in the UK

Fireplace Relocation Prices

Let's take a closer look at fireplace relocation costs:

Additional Fireplace Removal Costs

There are several additional costs that you may need to think about when moving a fireplace. Here's what you may need to consider when relocating your fireplace:

Chimney Liner Costs

When you move or replace your fireplace, you may want to invest in a new chimney liner to ensure your new fire remains safe and efficient.

The average chimney liner cost is around £800.

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

Moving Radiator Costs

When moving your fireplace, you may also be interested in moving your radiators to improve the layout of your room or the heat distribution.

The average cost to move a radiator to a new location is around £275 per radiator.

The price can depend on the size and type of the radiator, the ease of access, and your location in the UK.

Redecorating and Making Good Costs

If you're taking away your old fireplace and filling in the space left behind, you'll need to budget for making good.

This will typically involve:

• Blocking up, plastering, and finishing/decorating - £400 to £800.
• Laying new carpet/installing wooden flooring - £400 to £1,300

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Labour Cost to Move a Fireplace

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

On average, you can expect to pay between £100 to £1,000 for the labour costs of moving your fireplace.

A heating engineer will usually charge around £35 to £55 per hour. With this in mind, the overall cost can add up depending on the length of time that the job takes.

The price will depend on several different factors, including:

• The fireplace's size
• The type of fireplace
• Where the fireplace is being moved to
• The ease of access
• The difficulty of the job
• Your location in the UK

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.

Reasons to Move a Fireplace

There are various reasons you might choose fireplace removal or relocation:

Change the Room Layout

Removing a fireplace can be the catalyst for improving the overall layout of a room.

For example, moving a fireplace from one wall may allow that space to be used for other things, or it could help to create a more open-plan living arrangement.

Improve Aesthetics

Fireplace relocation can make a big difference to how a room looks, helping to refresh the design without major structural work.

You can remove a fireplace from one part of the room, and install it in another space that makes more sense for your home.

You might also choose to replace an old fireplace and hearth with a modern design.

Structural Issues

If you're undertaking major structural work such as removing a wall, fireplace removal may form part of that.

Bear in mind, though, that structural renovations may need the input of an architect to ensure you don't damage the structural integrity of your home.

There could also be structural problems that require you to move your fireplace to deal with them. For instance, damp or ventilation issues with your fireplace or chimney may need attention.

Improve Safety

You might find the current placement of your fireplace doesn't meet current safety regulations.

For example, clearance distances might not be met, or it could be that you're moving to non-combustible fuels to meet guidance on burning fuels like wood.

Install a New Type of Fireplace

One of the most popular reasons for fireplace removal is simply to install a different type of fire.

If you're switching from one type of fuel to another, the fireplace and chimney will need to be properly equipped for this.

What Impacts How Much Moving a Fireplace Costs?

Several things can affect the overall cost of moving a fireplace.

Let's 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 to manoeuvre, 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. And, 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.

Trades Required

The total cost of fireplace removal or replacement will depend on which tradesmen you need to complete the work.

If a Gas Safe registered heating engineer is needed to make safe any gas connections, this will be more expensive than simply removing a defunct fireplace that has had no operational fire for many years.

Similarly, you should factor in any costs connected to plastering or decorating the old fireplace area to ensure it looks good. Some of these tasks can be completed on a DIY basis if you have the skills and experience, yet you'll still need to buy materials and equipment.

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 to £10 more per hour in London than heating specialists based in other parts of the UK.

Age of Property

Older homes may be more difficult for your contractor to navigate.

For example, access to the flue may be more difficult than in modern properties, or the walls may be made from materials that require careful handling.

Fireplace removal can still take place in older properties, but it may need planning more carefully to ensure the job takes place efficiently and safely.

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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.

For example, if you're 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.

However, a DIY route isn't suitable for all fireplace removals:

• Gas fireplaces must be removed by Gas Safe registered engineers.
• Solid fuel fireplaces must be removed by HETAS registered engineers.

If you're 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. 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?

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

If you're 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 burns wood or solid fuel, the work is subject to Building Regulations Part J.

To reiterate:

• Gas fireplaces must be removed by Gas Safe registered engineers.
• Solid fuel fireplaces must be removed by HETAS registered engineers.

Building Regulations and Planning Permission for a Fireplace Relocation

Flue Safety

Building regulations will apply if you install a flue in the new location for your fireplace. All work must comply with Building Regulations Part J, which covers ventilation and flue safety. You're likely to need a new flue liner to ensure that your chimney is safe and compatible.

Ventilation

You should take into account factors such as the ventilation and the general safety of the fire in its new location.

Chimney Work

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.

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

Qualified Installers

The installation of your fire in its new position should be carried out by a qualified professional relative to the fuel source - gas requires Gas Safe registered engineers, and solid fuel requires HETAS registered engineers.

Planning permission is usually not needed for fireplace relocations, but you will need permission if:

• You live in a listed property
• Your property is part of a conservation area
• The work is likely to impact the external appearance of your chimney

Checklist: Hiring Contractors to Move a Fireplace in the UK

You will need to consider a few things before hiring contractors to move your fireplace for you - here's what we suggest:

• Gather at least 3 different quotes using MyJobQuote to easily compare prices between traders.
• Ask for an itemised breakdown of costs, being sure to check if waste removal is included.
• Check to see if the contractor is experienced in moving the type of fireplace you have.
• Remember to ask if the contractor offers any guarantees on their work.
• Is the contractor on the Gas Safe register or HETAS registered (if necessary)?

FAQs

Sources

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/flue-chimney-or-soil-and-vent-pipe/planning-permission