Chimney Removal At Bungalow.

[foxyferret]

My mum has just had a new grant boiler fitted. When she had solid fuel, she was told to have a chimney built. The inspector has been out today and says the chimney must come down to validate the guarantee on the oil boiler. She lives in a cottage so there is only the ground floor and loft. At a wild stab, I would guess the chimney is about 20-25ft tall. She is hoping to salvage as many bricks as possible for another use. How much should she expect to pay for the chimney removal and roughly how long would it take to do the job? Many thanks in advance.

[Baldric]

Chimney removal at Bungalow
///She lives in a Cottage///
! floor or 2 floors + attic, it makes a difference?

[foxyferret]

as I said 1 ground floor + attic. Some people call it a cottage, some call it a bungalow, the name does not make a lot of difference to the query.

[The Builder]

Foxy ......... first concern is... why demolish the chimney? Could it not be lined?

[Baldric]

Was just double checking,
I had similar work done on a rental property a little while back, but that was two floors + attic, so won't be any help to you.

[foxyferret]

Hi builder, I don't know unfortunately. This is just what the inspector told her this morning. Would it have been lined already when she had solid fuel maybe? For now, can we assume it has to go. I am just looking at what people think the price should be roughly, as my parents are 86 and 92 respectively and vulnerable to being ripped off. I cannot be there myself at the moment, so I am just trying to check.

[The Builder]

Most likely clay flue liners, Foxy. I'd like to know why this is not suitable???
If not, then why a new flexible liner can't be put inside the old one ???
Also, why can't the flue be a "balanced flue" simply put straight through the wall to outside......... no vertical flue needed.

Is this an OFTEC inspector? Not just a salesman/"surveyor" ?

If it has to come down, I guess it's an outside stack?

[foxyferret]

She has already had the boiler fitted I assume with the proper vent going outside. All the pipe work etc has been done. The chimney was put on the outside of the property when they had solid fuel. I asked mum where this inspector had come from and she didn't know, he was sent round by the guy who fitted the new boiler to inspect the work and make sure it met the "new" regulations. I think it is a Grant Vorted Eco Utility boiler. I believe he told her that no vertical flue is needed now she has the vent, this is why I think he has told her it has to come down, she doesn't need it anymore.

[Maydup]

Couldn't she have it blocked up then?

[The Builder]

Oh, so it is flued through the wall then Foxy?
As Maidup has asked, I don't see why it can't simply be blocked up.

Perhaps the Inspector decided the chimney was interfering with the exhaust gases?

[foxyferret]

It is not in a great condition and it has cracks up the side of it, so she wants it taken down.

[foxyferret]

no idea builder but I am just trying to get an idea of costs of demolishing this chimney, thanks for your helpful comments but I think it has to go.

[Iluvspikey]

I don't understand why it has to come down, I realise it isn't needed anymore, but surely it can be blocked off and that's that. If there is an insistance from they who want it down see if 'they who want it down will pay for it'

[ladybirder]

What a pity it has to come down. I think they add to a building's appearance. I've no idea about a price for taking it down but The Builder will know.

[The Builder]

Ok Foxy. Since it was an "add-on" flue built and attached to the gable end of the bungalow, it will be a simple job to remove it.
Bricks today are laid in sand & cement. This won't come off like the old lime mortars. I really doubt if they will be re-useable. The cleaning off process would not be cost effective.

Scaffolding and a skip needed.
Around £1,200 should see it demolished, assuming a decent access to it.
What we can't possibly comment on is the amount of repair to the existing wall that will be needed. If it's brick, then some of them may have to be replaced. It depends on how much damage has been done when fixing the stack to the wall.
You might want to allow £200-500 for this.

Be careful if it's in a Conservation Area ...... Listed Building Consent is needed for demolition in a CA.

[foxyferret]

Thank you all for your help. It is attached to the side of the cottage, not the gable end builder. Me not being on site has made this more difficult as I would ask all the relavent questions. I will ask her to ask them if the chimney could not be lined or blocked off.