Removing chimney breast

[nmbmth]

Hi all, new here so please excuse if a simple query. I'm looking to remove chimney breast from wall in 2 rooms in my single story detached house in Dorset. I'm looking to know -

1. Whether a structural engineer is required to plan?
2. Whether building /council permissions or any other paperwork are required?
3. How much could it cost?

Thanks in advance!
NM

Structural eng is a must this is a quite serious alteration and you just don't want the thing falling botty over apex;!

Suggest you talk to and engineer first and he or she can fill you in with the rest building regs approval and likely cost and that can be affected by quite a few variables.If it is a bungalow might be a bit more awkward supporting the chimney stack/s above

Mirror what is said above. Highly variable. We have paid 10 but we were putting in a massive steel for an extension, also paid 5 (?) in a different house. Normally people doing other stuff too so comparatives very very difficult. Get the engineer round :)

If you are removing the entire thing including chimney pots and the stack above the roof line, then building regs do not apply.

If you are removing the chimney breast from the ceiling down to the floor in the room, then regs will apply to supporting the stack that is left above your ceiling in the roof space.

If you aren't sure, it is best to get a structural engineer in to take a look. If you do need to put in supports, then the engineer can draw up the plans for you and you will be ready to get on with it.

it's major structural work. so definitly building regs sign off required.
possibly party wall notice.
in some areas you would need planning permission.

yes to engineer. they will guide you, but do your own research wrt to permissions.

As for the cost, it is hard to guess without knowing how much you are taking out and how complex the new supports need to be.

You really need the structural engineer to come in first.

We've just had ours removed

Structural engineer is a must, think ours cost in the region of £200-250

We haven't needed planning permission but have needed building control, I'm sure the cost of these vary between councils in ours it's £252

Can't say how much removing the chimney and steel costs, as others have said it's tied up with so many other jobs being done at the same time.

Thanks very much everyone. Looks like there's a difference of opinions on whether structural engineers/planning permission etc needed or not. It's a detached property and from what I've seen the unit from above the ceiling in the loft and the stack from above the roof is already removed and loft & roof sealed etc but just the wall in the room remains. It's a detached bungalow so no walls are shared with neighbours hence I thought it may not be as major a work.

Looks like a visit from engineer may clear as to whether structural engineers and permissions / building regs will be needed.

Appreciate all above and any other suggestions.

TIA
NM

you will need building regulations approval, but if it's an ordinary house in an ordinary street, most unlikely to need a structural engineer. You need a competent builder. I drew my own plans, and submitted them, the builder had suggested corbelled brickwork but the BCO wanted gallows brackets and steel, and asked for points of clarification. I amended the plan, the builder popped up to the merchant's yard and picked up the bits.

It's very likely that your local builder will have done hundreds just like yours, and that if you browse the council website, you will find dozens of applications just like your for houses just like yours in the same street. There will be copies of the documents. Some people would copy them....

For my first house, I drew mine on A4 paper using a plastic ruler and setsquare. It helps if you have an understanding of the job. You will probably over-specify, but small builders usually do to avoid the risk of being asked to amend.

I think Piglet John is specifically referring to building regs for supporting a stack.

You might not need this if you are correct in thinking that has already been removed.

We had our entire chimney removed as part of extensive refurbishment. This is a two storey house. They started by removing the outside stack and making the roof good, then came inside into the loft and removed that bit (very messy), then worked on down through the house removing as they went. It all seemed very straightforward, was done by a couple of labourers and took a couple of days. It is a filthy job - sooty and dusty. I can't remember the building inspector being the slightest bit interested in it. The expense comes when you have to make good afterwards - lots of replastering and repairing. (We then had a new chimney put elsewhere, but that's another story!)