Fireplace...?

[BalloonSlayer]

We have a naff old gas fire in a naff old brick-built fireplace.

We'd like to get rid of the lot and replace it with a proper "real" fire.

I have seen some nice cast-iron fireplaces for about £500.

Does any one know how much - on top of the cost of the new one - we are looking at to have the old one ripped out and the new one installed?

Or does anyone know of a cheap way of doing it?

I am not sure it matters too much as DH is fantasising about having sex in front of it and so I think may agree to pay just about anything . . .

I think you need a corgi person to remove the gas one & make it safe - I don't know how much that would cost

Fires/fireplaces are nice but not very efficient

Have you considered a wood-burning stove - you might even get you hot water or some central heating off it

We paid £763.74 (incl VAT) for installation of hearth and grate.

£763.74 !! Fookinell! But not unexpected.

Thanks.

Also thanks Katy, too. I do like wood burning stoves and (tightarse) we could take it with us if we move. But I had one when married before and therefore DH, blessim, will automatically be against it. He has a quiet vendetta against anything from my "former life; practically every stick of furniture I had when I met him has now disappeared under his campaign of stealth...

our builder said he would do it for us for £300, to include ripping out old one, putting in new one (which we would still have to buy), making good plasterwork