Daft question: who do I ask to remove a fireplace?

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

We have a very ugly 80s gas fire in our living room and hate it (and have never used it.) We had planned to replace it with a fireplace in keeping with the age of the house but having lived in the house for a few years are now thinking we'd rather just remove it as with CH we don't need a fire and it would just be decorative - getting rid would give us another space for furniture. But will a gas fitter removing the fire also be able to get rid of the fireplace and hearth, and if not what trade would do it? I am concerned a builder won't be interested in such a small job when there's so much more profitable work about, but our DIY skills are limited, to put it politely.

When you say remove the fireplace and hearth, do you mean the chimney breast? Was it originally a real fire that they’ve stuck a gas fire in? If so you can’t just easily remove the chimney breast, you’ll need to put a steel in to support the chimney above.

No, not the chimney breast - just the fireplace and the marble hearth on the floor.

A gas fitter would probably do that for you. Ask, the worst he can do is say no.

I wouldn’t be sure that every gas safe tradesperson would be able to make good after removing the fire surround and hearth, you might need someone who can plaster.

There certainly no harm in asking though

I’d get gas man to close off and remove fire, then a builder to remove the hearth, plaster and make good. It is a shame to remove fire surround though even if you have the fire itself removed, they always provide a nice focal point in the room IMO.

You wouldn't say that if you saw this one @Mynamesjohnnyutah believe me! I saw this as a big fan of fireplaces. This is seriously ugly 1980s stylee. Brass and fake marble. It doesn't even have a mantlepiece, it's just a slice of marble stuck in the wall with the gas fire in the middle. We've spent several years attempting to disguise it.

We need a picture

I would call a fireplace store. They would have experience in installation and removal of old ones.

I don't want a replacement though @FunRequirement - just for it to be taken out.

I'd call a fireplace store too and see if they can recommend someone, even if you're not looking for a new one putting in.

The chap who installed my woodburning stove was an all-round fireplace person. He was gas safe, did chimney work and stove and open fire installations and refurbs. There was quite a bit of knocking out and making good involved and he and his colleague had all the skills they needed to do that.

Alternatively, if you get someone who is gas safe to take the fire out and then a handyman to do the rest, but that might end up costing more and be more of a faff.

Get a gas man to disconnect and cap off the gas, then take out the fireplace and hearth yourself.

Husband and I spent the morning removing a ghastly fireplace and it was very satisfying 😊