Removing a chimney breast frees up valuable floor space, but it is structural work — not a DIY job. Here is what is involved and what it typically costs in the UK.
Full removal vs partial removal
You can remove the breast in one room only, or the whole stack from ground floor to roof. Partial removal is cheaper but leaves the weight above supported on steel beams (RSJs) or gallows brackets, which must be designed by a structural engineer and signed off by building control.
Building regulations
Chimney breast removal always needs building regulations approval because it affects the structure of the house. Your local authority building control or an approved inspector will check the support design and inspect the work. If the chimney is on a party wall, you also need to serve notice on your neighbour under the Party Wall Act.
Typical costs
As a guide:
- Single room breast removal with steel support: roughly £1,500–£2,500
- Full stack removal through the house: roughly £3,000–£6,000
- Structural engineer's calculations: roughly £200–£500
Making good
After the breast is out, the floor, walls and ceiling need making good, and if the stack is removed the roof needs tiling over. We handle the demolition and waste; plastering and decorating are usually done afterwards by your own trades.