Open up fireplace

[sonaldo]

My 2 bed Victorian terrace has boarded up fireplace in the spare room with a small square hole covered by a grate. I'd like to open this up--not to create a working chimney but--for aesthetic reasons and stick a fireplace surround on it.

Who would typically do this type of work and how much (roughly) might it cost? Ta

 

[Koolpc]

You could easily do it if you have the time unless you are not into diy. Its not a difficult job.

What i would do is open it up yourself first. Just take ur time. And then see where you go from there.

 

[sonaldo]

Thanks for reply. I'm up for having a go myself, but the way it's been bricked up seems a bit strange to me. The 'floor' of the chimney isn't at the room's floor level but instead starts at the bottom of the small square opening. So there seems to be about 400mm high of solid rubble.

It does look to have an arched brick lintel. But as I say the new bricks (as shown in the pic) don't seem to go down to the floor.

 

[sonaldo]

further to above post, i'm curious as to why someone would 'build up' the height of the chimney to ~400mm above the floor?

is there any way all that rubble/build up would be supporting something? i'm worried if i remove it i'll cause some issue

 

[ree]

OP,
Have you opened up the fireplace?