Brick fireplace/surround

[sarahd100]

Hello! My partner and I are looking at a flat in Greenwich which would need to have some work done to it. Mostly it's removing textured wallpaper (why oh why did anyone ever invent textured wallpaper) but there is also a very large brick fireplace and surround which we'd want to take out.

We'd like to do as much of the renovation ourselves, but this looks like it might be quite a task! Does anyone have any advice on how they'd tackle this? I'm not a huge fan of the fireplace either, I'd prefer to replace it but I know nothing about fireplaces whatsoever! I presume we'd need a professional to get involved here seeing as it's gas

Any advice would be great!

[boobashka]

Watching as we have something similar! We've decided to keep the 'shelf'. Deciding whether to get a replacement gas fire or go for a woodburner. Not sure what to do with the bricks yet....

[sarahd100]

Hi boobashka! All I'd want to do is take a sledgehammer to the whole thing but I have a funny feeling that would end badly

[boobashka]

We're awaiting a visit next week from the wood burning stove man - he's going to have a look. He's mentioned covering the brick with fire-resistant cladding/plasterboard. Maybe something for you to look into?

[sarahd100]

Thanks boobashka! What I really want to do is rip the whole thing out and start again! Does anyone have any recommendations? Anyone had to deal with something like this before?