Removing a chimney breast in bathroom - to do or not to do?

[Pigtailsandall]

We live in a traditional two-up, two-down Victorian terrace. The bathroom is an extension from the 50s, shabbily extended into the garden. We want to gut it out, insulate it properly and get new units fitted. As a part of this gutting process, I'd like to remove a chimney breast. DH says no, as we removed one from one of the upstairs bedrooms and although it bought us more space, the dust and work from it was horrific. I found brick dust months later.

The bathroom is an awkward shape right now, about 11ft long but just over 6ft wide, so long and narrow. The chimney breast sits in the middle of the long wall, and there's a window at the back wall and a window opposite the chimney breast. So actually getting units fitted around the chimney breast is hard. What do you think? To remove and deal with the hassle, or let it be and work around it?

The difference in cost is about a grand and a half, plus the fees of a structural engineer who needs to look at supporting the chimney left on the roof without a breast to support it.

[Time40]

I'd do it. I think it would be worth it.

[Chumleymouse]

Take it out for more space and also look to remove it on the roof if it’s just your chimney and not shared ?

[suziedoozy]

I did do it! We needed more space in the bathroom to be able to open the door into it rather than out onto the (small!) landing.

It was incredibly messy & dirty but it was part of a full house renovation so it was ok

[Pigtailsandall]

Thanks all, yes, I'm thinking short-term inconvenience vs long term gain....we currently have a separate bath and shower cubicle because the bath only fits under the window, and you can't have a shower there because of the window...would prefer it all together with extra storage space built where the shower currently is!

@Chumleymouse Can't remove the exterior chimney as we are in a conservation area & planning permission becomes more complex than just setting a steel bar to support the exterior!

[Midlifephoenix]

I'd remove it.

[FrownsAndDimples]

We've done it. It looks oodles better. You won't regret it!