In article ,
Nightjar writes:
On 30/07/2012 20:06, suzi_q wrote:
Just after some advice. I have bought a house with intentions of
removing the chimney breast and having read on various pages the needs
that differing situations involve I have a few questions.

1) when asking for quotes what qualification/accreditations will I be
asking if the builders have?

2) what insurance do they need to have?

If there are any pointers that you recommend I do, they too will be
greatly appreciated.

That is a job that needs building regulations approval, which will
almost certainly require a structural engineer's report. The structural
engineer ought to know which builders in the area are capable of
tackling the work satisfactorily. So, your first step is to look up
structural engineers in your area.

Back when mine was done (1980's), BR approval was not required
providing it was being dismantled from the top, and providing
it was not leaving half a stack above the roof (as you might
be inclined to with a shared stack, and this is apparently
because any remaining exposed stack will almost always need to
be completely rebuilt).

In my case, it was the neighbour who wanted to remove the full
chimney breast, and they did not need BR approval providing they
also removed my half of the stack above the roof, which they did.

The BCO came and looked at my half in the loft before declaring
it didn't need any BCO approval, so there may have been some other
factors he saw that I wasn't aware of.

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]