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UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
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#1
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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 |
#2
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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 |
#3
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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 |
#4
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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 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 |
#5
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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 |
#6
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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 |
#7
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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 Take a look at the National Fireplace Association website http://www.nfa.org.uk They have a guide that explains fireplace construction. |
#8
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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 |
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