Dismantling and Removing a Fireplace

​There may come a time when you no longer want your fireplace.  Modernization of your room or stabilizing the heat in the room are a couple of reasons why you may no longer want it.  It may be as simple as wanting the room the hearth takes up.  Whatever the reason, here is a look at the procedure and the cost if a demolition company is doing the removal.

​There are a few parts to removing a fireplace.  The façade comes first, which usually consists of removing brick facing.  The façade is built against the structural walls (framing), but can also form part of the structural, so care needs to be taken where bricks meet structure.  They may be mounted on studs, and then continued on to ceiling/roof.  A small bridge may need to be installed for safe and, at the same time, it is important to keep the wall integrity for refinishing.  This can take about a day of brick by brick removal  with cold chisels and a power demo hammer. The bricks or stones will require removal and disposal. Another part to the removal may involve the removal of the flu opening, a steel or iron plate and handle. If recessed it’s best to keep it for trapping air.  The cost so far is about $1800.  At this point the decision to seal the chimney at the top is made and may add additional cost to the project.