Removing a 'fireplace' and making good?

[curium]

Hi, We have a fairly small living room in a new-build house. It has gas central heating and 2 radiators in the living room.

For some unknown reason the developers have also placed a fireplace with mantlepiece and electric fire (with coal for effect).

We (my wife) would like to remove this as it isn't used so just takes up space (she hates the sight of the thing).

I've done a fair bit of DIY but always like to consult where I can to prevent unexpected surprises.

My thinking is that I just need to crowbar out the mantlepiece, and marble-effect hearth followed by getting a plasterer in to make good the new hole in the wall? The wall is plasterboard dot-and-dabbed to breeze blocks.

Is this correct? Any tips?

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Thanks for any advice!

 

[nightfisher]

Yes you have got it right the only thing you might need to do is place a air brick in the hole you block up for air flow okey.

 

[flameport]

My thinking is that I just need to crowbar out the mantlepiece

Certainly an option, although most of these are only held in place with a couple of small brackets, so shouldn't be too difficult to remove.

 

[Richard C]

I got the impression this is just a decorative hearth but if you do have flue, don’t block if off completely fit a ventilator as stated & a rain cap to the top of the pot.

 

[curium]

I got the impression this is just a decorative hearth but if you do have flue, don’t block if off completely fit a ventilator as stated & a rain cap to the top of the pot.

It is decorative. The fire is electric.

 

[Alastairreid]

You certainly wont need a crowbar! as stated there will be a couple of fixing brackets either side and below the mantlepiece probably just beneath the skim.
The wall behind the fire surround will probably be plastered as well so the only filling will be where the brackets are fixed.