birckwork for fireplace

[mogwai72]

We are about to buy a 1961 house which has an external chimney. The wall in the sitting room is therefore flat and has a small electric fire which we want to remove.

Our existing house has an oak fire surround, cast iron inset and living flame gas fire. It looks great but the fire doesn't give off a huge amount of heat so we've decided that we'll install somehting similar in the new house but have a dog basket instead of a living flame fire.

Questions!

Can you get cast iron surround that will accommodate a dog basket for solid fuel? - Or will it be more a mantlepiece and hearth with a large hole in the middle?

Will there be a lot of work in installing this? Obviously removal of some bricks

Should I buy the things we need and get a builder or do we get a fireplace shop to do the lot?

Thanks in advance,

 

[Richard C]

Can’t answer your questions about the cast iron surround specifically, or how much work would be involved specifically without seeing it; you need to do some more research.

You should be aware installing/re-commissioning an open fire or stove is controlled building work, must comply with several building regulations & should be undertaken by a registered HETAS installer who will also be able to advise/undertake the building works. Assuming the existing flue is suitable for solid fuel (class 1), it’s quiet old & you must have it inspected & tested as you may need a flue liner. You can either get your own stove & ancillaries & employ an independent HETAS installer or go via a stove shop for the complete service they can offer but this is usually much more expensive.

A builder will be able to do any necessary building works but is unlikely to be HETAS registered.

You can DIY but must notify your LABC who will inspect the installation, smoke & spillage tests before issuing you with a compliance certificate; TBH, from the questions your asking I would say DIY is not a good route for you to take at the moment.

Have a read through the archive posts, lots of thread on fire/stove installs in there.