Removing chimney breast in livingroom and bedroom

[PeterF1983]

Can any one tell me how i would go about removing chimney breast from my living room and bedroom so i can have more space in house please?

Do i need planning permission?
Can i do the work my self?
Do i have to inform the neighbours?
Do i need a building inspector to inspect the work at the start and the end?
How long would it take to complete?
How much would it take to employ a contractor to do the work?
Do i need to use acro props for the joists when removing chimney breast?
etc

Any help would be great. Thanks

 

[jamesnewhere]

The removal of chimney breasts vary from house to house.

Best to get a professional company in.

Have a look at www.hyltonchimneys.co.uk

I am not advertising the above company,just some useful info there.

 

[f0rmula]

I'd ask about planning, but I didn't get planning permission when I removed one of ours and noone has complained.

I did the work myself (plus girlfriend). It's not hard at all, if you're completely removing it.

If it's on a party wall, you're supposed to notify them 1month before you start. There's no agreement on their part though, it's just notification.

I already had a buildings notice, which included chimney removal. They didn't bother to inspect the chimney though, but I removed it completely, as opposed to leaving an upper section supported by some gallows bracket.

It took a whole weekend, for two stories worth of chimney. I got a roofing chap to take the bit that stuck out the top of the roof when they re-did the roof.

I don't think acro props are required. Where were you planning to use them?

 

[tony1851]

You don't need planning permission, unless it's a listed building.
As above, it is DIYable.
Strictly, you should inform the neighbours as it is a PWA matter, but don't bother, unless you want to spend £££ on surveyor's fees.
You need to advise Building Control as replacing the floor in the gap is a structural matter.
Costs? Depends............
You may or may not need Acro's, as in some rare instances, floor joists are supported off the chimney, though this is not usual.

 

[f0rmula]

re: acros

Actually, yes. My place is 1900, and the floor is all suspended around the chimney. In later houses this might not be true.

As for a buildings notice, I pointed them at the floor I replaced and they didn't give a monkeys

 

[cjard]

Strictly, you should inform the neighbours

Though, not if your chimney is on a wall that belongs solely to your house