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Original poster

How to remove gas fire and cost?

19 replies

Ishouldntbesolucky · 12/08/2018 09:59

We have a hideous 'modern' looking gas fire - it's flush with the chimney breast, if that makes sense. As we're redecorating anyway, I'd like to remove it. Dh thinks it's going to be really expensive. Is it? Neither of us are particularly good at DIY.

Can anyone talk me through the process? I assume we'd need a gas engineer to cap off the gas. Would they also remove the fire? Or can we do that? Are we then left with a massive gaping hole which needs rebuilding / replastering?

Also any idea on how much it would cost?

OP posts:

hambo · 12/08/2018 10:22

I have no help to give but in a similar situation. What do you want to do when it is removed?we are thinking of a stove....not sure how to sort out the hole that will be left when the gas fire is removed.

Chopchopbusybusy · 12/08/2018 10:36

We had this done recently. We had put it off for years because like you we didn’t know how it would be done. We eventually had it done as part of other work we did to the house. If I remember correctly it cost about £350. We had a gas fire and a marble and plaster surround.
The gas fitter removed the fire and capped it off. He had to cut a bit off the pipe so it would be hidden in the wall. Someone (not the plasterer but I think a plasterer would do it) then cut some plasterboard to size to fill the hole. Then the plasterer skimmed it.
I suspect we paid over the going price but I was just pleased to get rid of it.

blinkineckmum · 12/08/2018 10:51

You have to get a Corgi person to cut the gas off safely. It didn't cost much.

Original poster

Ishouldntbesolucky · 12/08/2018 10:53

Thanks Chop that's really helpful. £350 is quite a bit, but nowhere near as much as dh seems to think it would be, so it gives me hope it might be doable.

hambo I'm really not sure what we'd replace it with! Tbh, it's a bit of a spur of the moment decision. I've hated the fire for years and I've suddenly decided that I don't want to decorate around it, I just want it gone! We couldn't afford to replace it with a proper fire or stove for the moment - although ultimately that's what I'd like. I guess I had visions of an empty fireplace with candles / flowers. I've seen some pictures of them which look nice, but I'm now thinking it might look rubbish in our house...

I just don't know!

OP posts:

OftenHangry · 12/08/2018 11:02

I just have it empty now. Thinking about tiny table top oil fire. We will see.
Not sure about the exact price because it was included in the whole renovation cost.
They took it out, gas guy closed off the pipe nad they plastered. It was probably bit cheaper because the gas guy was here anyway for other jobs.

hambo · 12/08/2018 11:07

I also had images of bricks with candles, but I have no idea what will be beneath the horrible fire....

zoobud · 12/08/2018 11:14

Got the front & pipe removed for £40 in London

RedneckStumpy · 12/08/2018 11:19

DH removed ours himself, it’s really not difficult,

OftenHangry · 12/08/2018 11:23

You really shouldn't fiddle with gas yourself. It can invalidate insurance if, god forbid, something happens.

JeSuisPrest · 12/08/2018 11:29

You need a Gas Safe engineer.

www.gassaferegister.co.uk/find-an-engineer/

Have a look on Pinterest for inspiration for what you can do with the hole

mayhew · 12/08/2018 14:30

I bought a lovely new gas fire from Stovax. It's great for cold winter evenings.

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 12/08/2018 14:40

British Gas did exactly this last year, cost about GBP50.00. Cut off gas, capped off and he unscrewed all the actual fittings but I removed and dumped it myself. Empty fire place now hopefully can turn it back to an open fire place in future.

RedneckStumpy · 12/08/2018 23:11

OftenHangry

So can DIY plumbing and electrics, I don’t see a difference

LoniceraJaponica · 12/08/2018 23:15

"DH removed ours himself, it’s really not difficult,"

I think gas appliances/installations/removals etc need to be dealt with by a qualified gas engineer.

Bezm · 12/08/2018 23:19

When you have any gas appliance serviced, put in or removed you have to have your gas tested for leaks. It isn't something for a DIYer unless they are also a corgi registered engineer. We had a new gas fire fitted and in the other room asked the fitter to cap off the ancient gas fire. We then removed the fire and made good ourselves. A gas fitter will do this for about £50, then you can do the rest as a diy job. Just to note, if you're planning on boarding up the hole, you may need to put in some sort of air vent!

AornisHades · 12/08/2018 23:24

Many years ago I had a gas fire and back boiler removed (by a Corgi person), built a box out of mdf with a vent, tiled it, shoved it in the hole and glued architrave round it to cover the gaps. Cost very little. Looked OK. Not sophisticated but OK. A bit 90s but it was the 90s

starbrightlight · 13/08/2018 15:10

Gas safe registered engineer is what you need. Gas safe replaced Corgi in 2009. Google Corgi and you get dogs!

diydaddy50 · 22/05/2020 12:01

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

areallthenamesusedup · 22/05/2020 13:53

I would cap it off but keep supply there so if you want to reconnect in future you can.

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