Builders
Carpenters
Electricians
Flooring Specialists
Gardeners
Handymen
Heating Engineers
Painters & Decorators
Plasterers & Renderers
Plumbers
Roofers
Tilers
myAsk a Trade
Got a question that only a tradesperson can answer? We have thousands of trades ready to answer any question you may have.
Ask your question
Chimney Breast Removal Guide
If you have a chimney breast in a room in your home, you may have spent some time staring at it and wondering whether you really need it or not. Many homes have disconnected the source to the fireplace, leaving it entirely defunct and without purpose.
Some fireplaces are still connected and working, unbeknownst to the homeowner, who probably doesn't need it due to the modern superiority of central heating.
An unused fireplace, which may now be home to ageing charcoal and the odd vase of flowers, is probably better off removed, so you can make full use of the space in your home and install a more beneficial or modern décor in your living rooms.
Now, removing a chimney breast is no mean feat, and you should give it serious thought before committing, as it's a pretty permanent removal.
In this guide, we're going to explore everything you need to know about chimney breast removal, how much the job costs, how long it's likely to take, the different things you can do with the space left behind, the legalities surrounding the project and just about anything else that's associated with chimney breast removal.
Table of Contents
- What Is Chimney Breast Removal?
- Types of Chimney Breast Removal
- What Are the Pros and Cons of Removing a Chimney Breast?
- How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Chimney Breast?
- How to Remove a Chimney Breast
- How Long Does It Take to Remove a Chimney?
- Building Regulations or Planning Permission for Chimney Breast Removal
- Questions to Ask When Hiring a Chimney Removal Specialist
- FAQs
What Is Chimney Breast Removal?
The chimney breast is the protruding area of your interior wall that houses your fireplace or space where a fireplace once sat, which leads to the chimney above your home. Now, not all homes have these, and they are more commonly seen in older properties with the classic brick chimney on the roof.
Once, this was a key element of these homes, providing the only heat when the temperatures dropped, and the flue inside the chimney breast took all the smoke and harmful gas out of our homes and dispersed it through the chimney.
However, due to central heating and the cost to run them, fireplaces are scarcely used in homes anymore, making the chimney breast pretty pointless. Some people still look upon brick chimneys and traditional chimney breasts with nostalgia and charm, while others see them as a gross waste of space.
If you find yourself leaning towards the latter, you may want to consider having a professional contractor remove this from your home.
Types of Chimney Breast Removal
Removing the Chimney Stack
The chimney stack is the part of the chimney that projects above your roof. Some people are fairly content with the chimney breast within their home but would prefer that the chimney and stack were removed. Providing that the fireplace has been disconnected, this can be done pretty easily.
The most common reason for this is when a homeowner is looking to have a new roof installed and wants to have the chimney removed at the same time. You're likely to pay around £1,000 for this project, and it will more than likely be completed the same day.
Removing a First Floor Chimney Breast
In some homes, there may have been fireplaces in rooms other than the living room, most commonly bedrooms, to keep those rooms warm at night.
Now, some people will opt to have these removed from the bedroom while still leaving the chimney breast as it is in the room below. This is a common job, but it can be more complex than a full chimney breast removal.
Removing a Full Chimney Breast
A full chimney breast removal is the most common type of removal, as usually, the main purpose is to garner as much space within your home as possible.
We'll delve deeper into the specifics of this job throughout this guide, but essentially the breast from both floors will be removed, along with the chimney stack and chimney to free up space in any affected rooms.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Removing a Chimney Breast?
Pros
Extra Space
The main reason that many homeowners pay for a job like this is for the extra space that you gain from the removal. At a glance, it may not seem like a major waste of space, but the difference is clear as soon as the work is complete, allowing you a whole host of new options for your living rooms.
Modern Décor
For those that don't see the space as a massive issue, they still would prefer that an old fireplace wasn't the centre of attention in their living rooms.
There are a lot of homeowners that are looking to bring their homes into the modern era with new styles, colours and furnishings.
Smart home devices like voice-activated LED lights and heating controls that operate themselves are becoming the most sought-after additions to the home. In contrast, rustic features like fireplaces and chimney breasts are finding themselves on the wrong side of history.
Better Heat Retention
Removing an unused chimney and properly closing the openings can help reduce draughts and heat loss. The chimney and its flue essentially form a long tunnel leading from your home to outside, meaning that the cold can invade and the heat escape through it.
You may have heard the gust of cold wind or the patter of rain echo through your chimney breast, which should tell you all you need to know about how easily heat can escape through it. Fitting a chimney cowl can also help cut down draughts if you're not ready for a full chimney breast removal.
Cons
Big Renovation
There is no escaping that this is a significant project to oversee and that there may be some disturbance while the work is carried out. It's also a massive change to your home, so you'll need to make sure that it's definitely the right option for you and your home before you commit to the work.
Cost
When you compare it with other renovations, the cost may not seem huge, averaging at around £2,500, which is quite a lot of money to have something removed. That's not to say that it isn't a worthwhile job. You just need to make sure that you have the budget available.
How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Chimney Breast?
Key Cost Factors
The cost of removing a chimney breast fluctuates based on a few different factors:
- Size of the Job — The size of the job always affects the overall price, and a 2-bedroom terraced home will always attract lower prices than that of a 5-bedroom detached home, just based on the size alone.
- Complexity of the Job — The job's complexity will impact the overall price, and if there needs to be specialist access or extra steps taken to complete the job, this will be reflected in the quote and cost.
- Location — Another huge factor for the pricing is the location of your home. Big cities like London and Manchester have higher rates for contractors and tradespeople.
Additional Jobs
There are some other jobs related to chimney breast removal that may be beneficial to you. Chimney liner replacement is one job you may need to do if you still have a working fireplace and don't intend to remove it or the chimney breast.
Once the work has been completed on your chimney breast removal, you may want to consider having the room replastered and resurfaced professionally to ensure that it reverts to looking its best. Freshly plastered walls will make redecorating incredibly easy, whether you're opting for fresh paint or new wallpaper for your living room.
How to Remove a Chimney Breast
Chimney breast removal is structural work, and should not be treated as DIY. You should always hire a professional to complete this job.
With MyJobQuote, you can request several quotes from local chimney breast removers, which are fast, free, and with no obligation to go ahead.
- Planning Permission and Building Regulations — You will need Building Regulations approval to remove a chimney breast. Before arranging the work, check with your council whether you also need planning permission.
- Structural Engineer Review — Hire a structural engineer to assess how removing the chimney breast will affect your home and design any supports needed.
- Experienced Builder Required — Hire a builder with years of experience in this exact line of work, as the job creates a lot of mess and is often routed around very important and dangerous wires, pipes and gas lines.
- Party Wall Act — If you're removing a chimney breast from a shared wall in England or Wales, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies. You must give the neighbouring property owner written notice at least 2 months before work begins.
- Support Installation — Before removing any brickwork, your builder must support any chimney stack or upper chimney breast that will remain. This must stay securely supported throughout the work.
- Chimney Stack Removal — If the chimney stack is also being removed, your builder will take it down before removing the chimney breast below.
- Finishing Work — Plastering and resurfacing work can begin to complete the job.
How Long Does It Take to Remove a Chimney?
While removing a chimney stack is normally completed in just 5 to 6 hours, the removal of a chimney stack and a full chimney breast is much longer. You can expect the work to take around 4 days, provided that the contractors are working in tandem and are available when you need them to be.
Building Regulations or Planning Permission for Chimney Breast Removal
While there will be regulations and restrictions that you must always adhere to when removing your chimney breast and stack, you will need Building Regulations approval for this type of structural work. However, you won't need planning permission if you're only removing the chimney breast inside your home.
If your home is listed, though, you must get listed building consent before removing it. For chimney stack removal in a conservation area, ask your council whether planning permission is needed.
For homes in England and Wales, removing a chimney breast from a wall shared with a neighbour comes under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. As the owner arranging the removal, you must notify the adjoining property owner in writing at least 2 months before the work starts.
For more specific advice on adhering to all of these regulations, get in touch with your local council's building control department or a registered building control approver, who will guide you through the steps you must take before work can begin.
Questions to Ask When Hiring a Chimney Removal Specialist
- How much will the overall work cost?
- How long is the project likely to take with each tradesperson?
- Do you think planning permission will be required?
- Can you see any potential problems from your quote and walk around?
- Have you completed any similar projects to this one before now?
- Are there any homes in the local area that you have completed work on that we could see as an example?
- Are you accredited with any trade association?
- Do you have public liability insurance?
- Will you help us align all the different firms and tradespeople we need to complete the job?
FAQs
What Do You Do After a Chimney Removal?
Once the chimney has been removed, the builder will repair the affected floors, walls, ceilings and structural timber, fitting new floor joists where needed. Building control will inspect the work before signing it off. Make sure to keep the completion certificate and structural paperwork, as these may be useful when you sell your property.
How Do You Patch a Roof After Chimney Removal?
The missing membrane, tiles and materials will be filled in to cover the area where the chimney and stack once were to ensure that it is almost undetectable that a chimney was once there.
Can I Remove a Chimney Breast and Stack Myself?
The removal of a chimney stack and breast is an incredibly complex job that requires the attention of multiple trained professionals. The chimney breast and stack can be key parts of your home's structural integrity, so they shouldn't be worked on by anyone that isn't completely assured in their knowledge of this type of work.
The chimney stack itself requires working at height, which is a very risky task in itself, so this is another job that is best left to professionals, especially when you consider that the project requires removing bricks from the roof, which creates a potentially fatal risk of heavy items falling onto pedestrians.
What Is Public Liability Insurance?
Public liability insurance helps cover the cost if a contractor accidentally causes injury or damages someone's property (including yours) while carrying out the work. It is not a legal requirement for all tradespeople, so it is worth checking that your contractor has suitable cover before the job begins.
Can You Remove the Chimney Breast but Leave the Chimney Stack?
Yes, provided the stack is safely supported before the chimney breast below is removed. This usually involves a steel beam designed by a structural engineer to carry the weight safely, and the work will need Building Regulations approval.
