Fireplace help, advice, ideas.

[New2thisshizzle]

Hello,

We don’t have a fireplace, only the bricked up hole. I would like to have one but I’m confused about whether to go to a shop and buy a new one or buy 2nd hand.

if I bought something like this I presume I still need the mantle/surround?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266674622127?skw=fireplace+reclaimed&itmmeta=01J7R4GCFWK1GY3CGJNZ2QGYMP&hash=item3e170bceaf%3Ag%3AGgkAAOSwKjplzOIs&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKmlhDWxWpaLQ7jvAZ2Le8G1dJMdNB9Z6Y%2F21qzkCtV8WmaIQSCTwhqyubD%2B8BCc%2FJ0%2FqNOgwTpRDYazeqQ3EeGsFWpvKA8UiFdxbDXV4IcroKgng%2Bl4CcGvuMz4r8j2joSHLXL1XJPWPrLudF1%2B6rWuh%2B2hEtsr8Tl%2BqTK0zpHJbDsQSshZJeI%2FpUnB56XpEPo0NwaN30Sgvl41fxbTGpRsJIIjnGyh%2FUhnlHlJ%2BqVEKCuC23TnZNny%2BZjkGMmtprE%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4bIwYS-ZA&LHItemCondition=4

is it hard to find mantles separately that would fit/work?

If going 2nd hand should I try and buy a complete one such as the below?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186554624562?_skw=vintage+fireplace&itmmeta=01J7R57DA42NP2XKSSTPW78FPY&hash=item2b6f85aa32:g:kAsAAOSwDuBmjuJ5&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKk5XNOhVy97boyJxA522MxbLXUaxy1ENzwSWJBLz2C%2Fij6iMPfNh2JFV5X4le1CyQ9MgnMssAYfxvHr6LKDLSrp2fjpVojcK8WVZWAzNHmDVwnBW2HHgHW8ctgGcNGhfoIzZefRzu4hbmc8%2FcU7oP0FkbkHh6BcaJqOXDzBPIUZ7pwYRtKMeVD4RqUWUekUmxkTSzWy%2BXecV72ZGlsYOCP2V6OmkqwA4PCVmqc%2FvI7tkhKm3Ibk%2BA%2BOnprC1P78Jh8%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5bVnYW-ZA

Is it hard finding a tradesperson to fit a 2nd hand one?

It is pretty easy to fit them yourself if you don't mind a bit of messy smashing to open up the hole. You may also need to patch up some of the plaster work afterwards flbut only small bits.

If you are buying second hand you need to make sure that the fireplace has all the bits of you want to use it. Spares are very difficult to source. So the first one you posted is missing the bit which covers where the ash tray goes at the bottom. It isn't usable without that.

You can buy the fireplace and fire surround separately. Just make sure that the surround is the right size for the fireplace and the mantle isn't wider than the chimney breast.