Chimney breast - brick up and plaster?

Hi there guys! New to all of this so please bear with me if I'm asking the obvious.

I have a chimney breast in the room which has a square hole in it. I assume this used to have a fire but they (previous owners) took it out and made a square hole (which is about a 2' cube). I am wishing to brick this up and plaster over the top; what the best process for this?

Should I use breeze blocks to close the cavity and then pay a plasterer to come and skim it? Or should I pay the plasterer to do it all (block cavity and skim)?

What are the general costs for a plasterer, I've never had to get anyone in for anything before and don't want to get ripped off.

Any pointers welcome! Cheers! Johno.

It’s not a good idea to close off a disused chimney altogether as it will become liable to damp. What you should do is put a vent in the bottom & a vented cap at the top of the chimney to stop rainwater entering.

Personally I would not close it off permanently with blocks, you or future owners may want to open it up again. I would go for timer battens around the inside of the opening, infill with foil backed plaster board & a plaster skim over that. It will take a plasterer no time if you can find one prepared to do such a small job; he will still have to stand around waiting for the plaster to go off so he can finish up so be looking for anything up to ½ a day’s pay, say £80 - £100. It’s a small enough area for you to attempt yourself though, depending on how confident you are.

Thanks for the reply!!! I took your advide and didn't brick up the hole - I mounted wood around the outside and a connecting board across the middle to create a frame. I then got some plaster board and attached that. Plasterer came in at the weekend and has skimmed it. He did quote £80 but we took the plunge and got the whole room done!

Thanks again for advice - I would have bricked it up, but plaster board was miles better! cheers.

Johno.

m900349 said:

Thanks again for advice - I would have bricked it up, but plaster board was miles better! cheers.

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