Replacing a gas fire with a coal fire?

[beanandspud]

Our gas fire has just been disconnected during a service since it is unsafe. It doesn't make much difference to us as we don't really use it.

I would really like to replace it with a coal/open fire but I haven't a clue where to start.

I think we have a 'proper' chimney (although it is most likely blocked with birds' nests - hence the gas fire not being safe). I'm guessing that I would need to change the fire surround since it is varnished wood but apart from that I don't know what else I need [muppet emoticon!]

Has anyone done this? Any rough estimates of the cost? Is it a bad/good idea?

All suggestions/advice/experiences gratefully received...

We got a fireplace shop to do ours but probably not a cheapst option. They opened up our chimney and checked it was safe to use and fitted a limestone mantle with a granite hearth plus all the ironwork that the fire burns on - think it was about £1500. But I am sure you could do it much cheaper....

Just done mine.

Do you have a really good builder?

Our local builder is great, my family have always used him and his dad, they are from our area and are known for being honest craftsmen.

So, he knocked out and opened up the fireplace, left the old red bricks in that were already there to line the fireplace, put in a superb heavy reclaimed derbyshire gritstone lintel, he made the hearth really high, about 4" in height which balances out the weight of the lintel and is made from reclaimed stone too, all of which he sourced from a nearby salvage yard.

I live in the Peak District and have an old house, rustic, so you may find this look rather too "country" but I am thrilled to bits with it.

Total cost £650.00

Chimney then had to be swept and new chimney pot put on as the one I originally had was for a gas fire.

Total cost £270.00

Then I bought a pair of lovely big antique brass dogs and a dog grate.

Total cost £120.00 (bargain from an antique shop, took a lot of finding )

So all in all £1040.00.....and worth every penny, we love love love our fire and it burns like a dream!

Starting question: how old is your house? This will affect what sort of chimney and fireplace it was buillt wth.

second question: what is there existing in the way of a fireplace, hearth, chimney, chimneypot? Has any part been demolished, removed or altered?

Thanks for the replies, sorry to take so long to get back here.

The house is only about 12 years old. There is a chimney (and next door, house built at same time, has a real fire so I am assuming that the chimney is suitable?).

There is a fireplace where the gas fire is but is has a wooden surround and a granite-effect hearth so guessing that it is cosmetic rather than practical.

A modern house probably has a flue made of precast concrete sections. It may have been made of small ones, for a gas fire, or large ones, for a multifuel or an open solid fuel fire. Try to measure the dimensions of the hole up the chimney, a fire shop will want to know them to advise on what it will suit, and will probably want to inspect to check.

You can't be sure the neighbours haven't put an open fire on a gas flue, but your house doers sound promising.