removing a chimney breast

[janela]

Anyone out there know roughly how much it would cost to have the chimney breast in one of my rooms removed. I only intent to have the downstairs portion taken out so I know the upper part will need supporting with a lintel. Then I want to have it built up so that it is only half the depth it is now. Any ideas

[Jugglering]

I would think it would cost around �1500 to �2000 for just the one floor which sounds a lot until you think about the amount of work involved:-

Building Regs Approval
Structural Engineer's design of support for chimney breast above
Demolition of chimney breast and removal of materials off site
Rendering and replastering wall to match existing
New skirting board and new floorboards (which may not be necessary if you are reinstating a new lower level breast)
Rewiring if necessary
Cleaning up afterwards

I've not included the rebuilding up afterwards - that would depend on what materials you were using.

As I indicate above, you would need Building Regulations Approval (check with your local authority) as well as permission in writing from your neighbour if you share the wall. The Building Control Officer would probably want to see some structural calculations regarding the support. You would be sensible to talk to them before you do any work of this nature.

[Jugglering]

Yep, I totally agree Cleversod ! I think chimney breasts add character to a home, I'd only remove one if there was a serious need to !

[Mannos]

The following link provides a tool which calculates the cost of removing 1 or more chimney breasts http://www.chimneybreast.co.uk and/or an outside chimney stack.

I think these costs are specific to the company running the site, but nevertheless it gives you an idea of how much the job will cost. I guess this will be helpful like myself you have no idea how much this job should cost