Renovations

[parent123]

Hi there, I'm planning renovations, and want to remove a huge old wood fireplace in the middle of the house. I haven't found anyone interested in removing it. Any ideas how to remove it? inexpensively?

[kgcayenne]

Is it a wood stove, or a brick/stone fireplace?

[parent123]

Is it a wood stove, or a brick/stone fireplace?

It is a huge brick fireplace !

[kgcayenne]

I would like to buy your house.

Seriously though, that's a huge task, and I have no idea whether it would be a structural issue or not. Maybe ask a Mason what is involved.

[parent123]

We do know that structurally, it can go. It is a big job, I just don't know where to turn to get it done.
You can't have the house, but you can have the fireplace - just come over and get it! :)

[grammafreddy]

Is it a working fireplace?

Any way you look at removing it, it is going to be VERY expensive. It isn't just the bricks and mortar, there's the roof, rafters, ceilings, floors, joists ...

We opted to leave ours in and installed a good wood stove to help heat the house. Much cheaper.

kgcayenne, I'll sell ya my big old house with a big fireplace. You might have to move, though :D

[kgcayenne]

Grammafreddy, does it still have the water feature?

[grammafreddy]

Grammafreddy, does it still have the water feature?

Of course.

It also comes with a half acre right downtown (close to everything) and is at the end of a street for privacy.

[kgcayenne]

Parent123, I wish I could talk you into keeping a beautiful feature like a fire place. A fire place in the middle of a house is the best spot for it to get the best heat efficiency.

I'll pay more for a house with a beautiful, wood fireplace in the middle of a house than I will for a gas unit.

A glass of wine or cup of hot tea beside the fireplace on a cold, snowy night... cozy, romantic...

[parent123]

yes- it would be energy effecient and inexpensive to keep it, but it really is an eyesore, and breaks up the house too much for my liking.
and
go figure ! I got a quote back this morning from someone I thought had disappeared, and I can live with the price. So it will be gone soon

[grammafreddy]

You do know those old bricks have value, right?

[Bsuds]

You might want to check this thread as well

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=54024

[Bpeep]

Parent123, I wish I could talk you into keeping a beautiful feature like a fire place. A fire place in the middle of a house is the best spot for it to get the best heat efficiency.

I'll pay more for a house with a beautiful, wood fireplace in the middle of a house than I will for a gas unit.

A glass of wine or cup of hot tea beside the fireplace on a cold, snowy night... cozy, romantic...

A fireplace has zip all for heat efficiency.
They suck air in from every crevice in your house, and blast it, with the heat, right up the flue.
Whatever heat they give is some radiant from the flame and whatever the hearth emits.
Get a wood stove. Make sure you get it WETT inspected, otherwise you wont be insurable.

[kgcayenne]

Bman, where's the romance in a wood stove?

[Bpeep]

Having your man surprise you by bringing home a woodstove is romantic.
Its up there with a bountiful beet harvest, a new batch of soap, or an elk.