DIYbanter - install open fireplace

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install open fireplace

Hi,

Having removed the carpet and old gas fire in the lounge of our 30s semi, we
found the opening to the chimney in decent condition (lintel still present,
concrete base for tiled hearth still in place) and we've found an original
30s fireplace to fit. We bought a fireback, grate, hearth tiles etc with the
fireplace and now we're ready to install. We though that we'd get a
'competent person' (as in new regs) to do the fitting, just to keep the
right side of the council, however, the local 'expert' fireplace fitter has
quoted us £350 + VAT for the install! He seemed to think the fit was quite
straightforward, so I can't understand the price. Is this a job that a
reasonable competent DIYer can do themselves? Am I being naive to think that
the price is OTT? Can anyone recommend a good source of advice when it comes
to installing fireplaces?

Many thanks

Tom

--

to email directly, replace tlw_nospam with tom

install open fireplace

"tom w" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Having removed the carpet and old gas fire in the lounge of our 30s semi,
we
found the opening to the chimney in decent condition (lintel still
present,
concrete base for tiled hearth still in place) and we've found an original
30s fireplace to fit. We bought a fireback, grate, hearth tiles etc with
the
fireplace and now we're ready to install. We though that we'd get a
'competent person' (as in new regs) to do the fitting, just to keep the
right side of the council, however, the local 'expert' fireplace fitter
has
quoted us £350 + VAT for the install! He seemed to think the fit was quite
straightforward, so I can't understand the price. Is this a job that a
reasonable competent DIYer can do themselves? Am I being naive to think
that
the price is OTT? Can anyone recommend a good source of advice when it
comes
to installing fireplaces?

Many thanks

Tom

I fitted a wooden fire surround and limestone backpanel and hearth myself. I
also
extended the constructional hearth ( the hearth at and below floor level -
there are
three hearths, the constructional, the superimposed ( the nice bit of marble
or
slate that goes on top of the constuctional hearth ) and the back hearth (
the bit
where your fire goes )) as I thought for an open fire it did not meet the
new regs.

The process was not exactly straightforward, as some floorboards and a joist
were
removed to fit in a 5" thick extended constructional hearth ( only necessary
for
open fires lit directly onto the back hearth, so probably not a problem for
you ).
Also, the chimney breast had a bit of a curve in the plaster, and I
replastered it
to be able to fit the mantelpiece flush without gaps.

I also had to use cement to make a faiing inside the chimney so any soot
coming
down did not pile up on top of the edges of my firebox ( wood-burning,
probably a
different design completely to what you're putting in ).

The wooden mantel and surround was held in place using mirror plates. There
are a lot of annoying details to consider. Also, you shouldmake sure your
chimney
is OK by using a smoke bomb and checking for leaks in the rooms above, and
the
loft etc.

I think you can buy 'firecement', but I just used a high lime cement
mixture. You
need to use a very weak cement mix behind your fireback to hold it in
place.

The best source of info I found was the Collins DIY Encyclopedia, it has
notes
on installing just the sort of fireplace you're detailing, plus some info on
hearth
minimum dimensions etc. A search of the web using Google may also turn up
some info if you're patient. Can't comment on the price, but if you're
diligent and
practical I see no reason you can't do it yourself. It will take a while
though, so be
patient!

Andy

install open fireplace

Thanks very much for this - I'm going to look into this a bit further before
embarking on the project, but it's good to know that it can be done.

Cheers

Tom

"andrewpreece" wrote in message
...

"tom w" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Having removed the carpet and old gas fire in the lounge of our 30s
semi,
we
found the opening to the chimney in decent condition (lintel still
present,
concrete base for tiled hearth still in place) and we've found an
original
30s fireplace to fit. We bought a fireback, grate, hearth tiles etc with
the
fireplace and now we're ready to install. We though that we'd get a
'competent person' (as in new regs) to do the fitting, just to keep the
right side of the council, however, the local 'expert' fireplace fitter
has
quoted us £350 + VAT for the install! He seemed to think the fit was
quite
straightforward, so I can't understand the price. Is this a job that a
reasonable competent DIYer can do themselves? Am I being naive to think
that
the price is OTT? Can anyone recommend a good source of advice when it
comes
to installing fireplaces?

Many thanks

Tom

I fitted a wooden fire surround and limestone backpanel and hearth myself.
I
also
extended the constructional hearth ( the hearth at and below floor level -
there are
three hearths, the constructional, the superimposed ( the nice bit of
marble
or
slate that goes on top of the constuctional hearth ) and the back hearth (
the bit
where your fire goes )) as I thought for an open fire it did not meet the
new regs.

The process was not exactly straightforward, as some floorboards and a
joist
were
removed to fit in a 5" thick extended constructional hearth ( only
necessary
for
open fires lit directly onto the back hearth, so probably not a problem
for
you ).
Also, the chimney breast had a bit of a curve in the plaster, and I
replastered it
to be able to fit the mantelpiece flush without gaps.

I also had to use cement to make a faiing inside the chimney so any soot
coming
down did not pile up on top of the edges of my firebox ( wood-burning,
probably a
different design completely to what you're putting in ).

The wooden mantel and surround was held in place using mirror plates.
There
are a lot of annoying details to consider. Also, you shouldmake sure your
chimney
is OK by using a smoke bomb and checking for leaks in the rooms above, and
the
loft etc.

I think you can buy 'firecement', but I just used a high lime cement
mixture. You
need to use a very weak cement mix behind your fireback to hold it in
place.

The best source of info I found was the Collins DIY Encyclopedia, it has
notes
on installing just the sort of fireplace you're detailing, plus some info
on
hearth
minimum dimensions etc. A search of the web using Google may also turn up
some info if you're patient. Can't comment on the price, but if you're
diligent and
practical I see no reason you can't do it yourself. It will take a while
though, so be
patient!

Andy

install open fireplace

Hi, thanks for the reply - the fireplace we're fitting isn't for gas - it's
just a fireback, grate, cast iron fireplace and hearth tiles, so no gas is
needed. Nothing too heavy or difficult from first glance, hence the surprise
at the price. I'm in Leeds, if anyone knows of any good fitters...

..

"RichardS" noaccess@invalid wrote in message
.. .
"tom w" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Having removed the carpet and old gas fire in the lounge of our 30s
semi,
we
found the opening to the chimney in decent condition (lintel still
present,
concrete base for tiled hearth still in place) and we've found an
original
30s fireplace to fit. We bought a fireback, grate, hearth tiles etc with
the
fireplace and now we're ready to install. We though that we'd get a
'competent person' (as in new regs) to do the fitting, just to keep the
right side of the council, however, the local 'expert' fireplace fitter
has
quoted us £350 + VAT for the install! He seemed to think the fit was
quite
straightforward, so I can't understand the price. Is this a job that a
reasonable competent DIYer can do themselves? Am I being naive to think
that
the price is OTT? Can anyone recommend a good source of advice when it
comes
to installing fireplaces?

Many thanks

Take it that the gas supply is in place then, so no additional pipework to
run back to the meter?

If you're in the S.W London area I could put you in touch with the
installer
that fitted mine - that came to about £260 inc vat, there may have been an
additional charge for running the pipework back to the meter (didn't have
existing supply in that room).

When I looked into it fireplace fitting didn't appear to be
straightforward
so decided not to d-i-y. Given the well-publicised accident last year
when
a child was killed by an insecurely fixed fireplace it gave me additional
peace of mind.

--
Richard Sampson

email me at
richard at olifant d-ot co do-t uk

install open fireplace

"tom w" wrote
| the local 'expert' fireplace fitter has quoted us £350 + VAT for the
| install! He seemed to think the fit was quite straightforward, so
| I can't understand the price.

First, because you've bought the bits yourself, the fitter loses the markup
he could place on them.

Secondly, if the job takes an 8-hour day (or sufficient of a day he can't
fit another job in) that's only £43 an hour. Not really that much taking
into consideration the business expenses of insurance, van, tax,
subscriptions to the Honourable Guild of Fireplace-Fitters, and possibly
wages for a mate or secretary/book-keeper etc.

Owain

install open fireplace

Good news - another fitter had a look at the same job, gave us a quote of
£150 inc. He seemed as thorough, if not more so, than the other fitter, so
we'll see how it goes. For this price, I think it's worth us getting a
professional to do the job, and I can concentrate on the rest of the
mountain of DIY waiting to be done...

"Owain" wrote in message
...
"tom w" wrote
| the local 'expert' fireplace fitter has quoted us £350 + VAT for the
| install! He seemed to think the fit was quite straightforward, so
| I can't understand the price.

First, because you've bought the bits yourself, the fitter loses the
markup
he could place on them.

Secondly, if the job takes an 8-hour day (or sufficient of a day he can't
fit another job in) that's only £43 an hour. Not really that much taking
into consideration the business expenses of insurance, van, tax,
subscriptions to the Honourable Guild of Fireplace-Fitters, and possibly
wages for a mate or secretary/book-keeper etc.

Owain