Stuck with what to do about our empty fireplace

[gabbybaby]

We have a 1930s house with an empty fireplace in the front room. There is a capped off gas point under the floorboards (which are coming up as part of a general renovation). It has a wood surround. At some point years ago we got some granite offcuts put in where there would have once been tiles, as they'd been pulled out and it was all painted peach (??!!) when we bought the house. The granite was always a temporary solution so we could live with it until we got around to doing something more permanent. It's empty inside and generally just has boxes of lego beads and hama beads stored there! We'd now like to finish the fireplace whilst we're laying new flooring and doing the whole house up, but I don't know where to start. The chimney is in tact. The surround is fine, although I guess we'll probably paint it white so it looks more modern. How much is the whole thing likely to cost? Are we talking £1000s? (a friend did hers recently and she said they chose a stove at the cheaper end for inside and it cost around £3000 all in, which freaked me out a bit!). TIA

[gabbybaby]

I think I got my terminology wrong! Wood mantel, granite surround

[wowfudge]

It depends whether the chimney needs lining and whether the hearth meets current requirements. Is there a hearth or at least a slab of concrete?

[gabbybaby]

The hearth is covered now. I was a concrete slab if I remember correctly, which had a wood surround that we removed when the granite was put down. I recall someone saying that the hearth wasn't big enough for a real wood fire (which we wouldn't put in anyway). I'm not really sure what our options are with what we have.

[Cressandra]

I'm finding it difficult to imagine tbh. You could take some photos and measurements along to a fireplace/stove shop as an easy starting point.

We spent just over £1000 on replacing a functional brick fireplace with limestone fireplace, hearth, surround and an ex display, very basic wood burning stove. Either prices have gone insane or your friend's idea of cheap end is very different to ours :)

[Manopaws]

We just had a wood burner installed £750 for chimney liner the stove was ol French enamelled one which was refurbished with new Windows hinges ash tray lining but sill came in under the price of a cheap new one £350 . Looks great and a lot warmer than the open fire