Is a chimney breast a party wall?

Do you need a party wall agreement to remove a chimney? Yes. Removing a chimney involves major structural work, and if the chimney stack is shared, this cannot be done without permission being granted from the neighbouring property.

What type of wall is a chimney breast?

The chimney breast wall is the material surrounding your fireplace inside your home. It is typically made of concrete or brickwork and is an integral part of the fireplace/chimney system if it serves to house the flue.

Do you need planning permission for chimney breast removal?

Planning permission is not normally required to remove a chimney stack or a chimney breast from a dwelling as long as it is not a listed building or located within a Conservation Area and any repairs/infilling to the roof is done using materials which match those already used on the property.

Is a chimney breast structural?

The chimney breast is the visible part of the chimney that you can see on every floor in your house (unless any have been removed). It provides important structural support in your home. A building regulations application will be needed to remove a chimney breast.

Can you remove a chimney breast in a terraced house?

In a terraced or semi-detached house, the chimney stack could be sited on a shared party wall. In order to remove the chimney breast within the roof space, there would have to be extensive negotiation with the owner of the adjacent property, which may well share the flue.

Pt 2 of 3 |Chimney Breast Removal and The Party Wall etc. Act 1996|arun Associates|Surveyors London

Does removing chimney breast add value?

For older homes, chimney breasts are often classed as desirable features. They offer a traditional and cosy feel that's attractive to many homebuyers. Therefore, if you remove your chimney, you're likely to remove what many consider an asset. This will result in your home's value decreasing.

Do you need a party wall agreement to remove a chimney?

Removing a chimney breast is fine if you are taking it out all the way through, right up to the chimney stack, if they have only removed it on one level (say downstairs) then they would have to put steels in to take the weight of the chimney stack above, so then they would need party wall agreement.

Can you take out a chimney breast wall?

It is possible to take out a chimney breast, but bear in mind the fact that this is not a quick DIY job you can do yourself. When you take out a chimney breast, you are also removing an important load-bearing wall.

Do I need a structural engineer to remove chimney breast?

NB You are always likely to require the services of a Structural Engineer if you intend on removing the chimney and breast. If you don't get an expert involved, you risk serious structural degradation to your property which might result in the building collapsing which carries the risk of death.

Do chimneys provide structural support?

The chimney breast is both the most visible and vital portions of a chimney. This brick wall encases the flu and other functional parts, providing extra insulation and major structural support.

What can I do with a chimney breast?

Who is responsible for shared chimney?

And the answer is simple: if the chimney is on the party wall, then the party wall act applies. This is usually the case, because at least one side of the flue is usually on the party wall, and, in some cases, the chimney itself can overlap and become shared in the loft spaces of the two properties.

Can you remove a chimney breast in a semi detached house?

You can't simply remove the chimney breast from a bedroom in a fully detached house as the exterior stack will be left unsupported – however, this isn't a problem for semi-detached houses since the party wall has strong self-supporting brickwork.

Should I remove a chimney breast?

Does removing a chimney breast devalue a house? Chimney breasts are important features of older homes, and for buyers who want a home with a traditional feel they are a definite asset. If you remove a chimney breast from an older house, it is likely to be less appealing to a significant number of buyers.

Can you take out a wall with a fireplace?

Knocking down a wall with a fireplace is possible if done correctly. If the wall you want to remove isn't load-bearing, meaning it's not a supporting structure to another level, then, yes, it is possible to remove it.

How much does it cost to remove a chimney stack UK?

The cost of chimney stack removal usually varies between £950 – £1200. There are many different factors to take into account, such as the size of the chimney stack, is scaffolding required and what part of the country you live in. Labour costs for two qualified roofers would be in the range of £250 -£300 per day.

Can both Neighbours remove chimney breast?

Yes. Removing a chimney involves major structural work, and if the chimney stack is shared, this cannot be done without permission being granted from the neighbouring property.

Is a shared chimney stack a party wall?

Shared chimney stacks are not 'party' i.e. the two owners do not have rights over the whole structure – there is likely to be a party wall within the stack separating the flues of the two owners but that is not normally the defective element as it is protected from the weather.

What is the difference between a party wall and a boundary wall?

A party wall either separates buildings, or is built astride the boundary and forms part of a building. A party fence wall stands astride the boundary but does not form part of a building.

How long does chimney breast removal take?

It takes, on average, about four to eight hours to remove just a chimney stack, one and a half days to remove a chimney breast, whether on the ground floor or first floor, two to three days to remove an entire chimney breast while leaving the stack in place, or three to four days for the same work but with the chimney ...

Can I remove my half of a shared chimney stack?

you can not remove half of a shared chimney stack because the brick work is all tied in together and removeal of your half of the stack will cause it to become unstable.

How much does it cost to knock down a load bearing wall?

To remove a load-bearing wall, construction will likely cost between $1,200 and $3,000 if you have a single-story home, and between $3,200 and $10,000 for multi-story homes. For a partition wall, the cost is between $300 and $1,000.

How much does it cost to remove a fireplace UK?

Fireplace Removal

It's estimated to cost between £500 to £1,000 to remove a wood-burning fireplace. It's estimated to cost between £500 to £2,000 to remove a stone fireplace.

Is removing a fireplace a good idea?

But losing a fireplace can affect a home's appeal and possibly even its resale value, real estate pros say. A fireplace can particularly be viewed as a valuable amenity in colder climates, and removing one could even reduce the number of buyers drawn to a property, some agents say.