Chimney Breast Removal
Removing a chimney breast is a big structural job. Done right, it opens up space and adds value to your home.
Abel Roofing handles chimney breast removal from start to finish, with no shortcuts and no mess left behind
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“This is the second large job Abel Roofing have completed for us in the last 12-months. Same high standard of workmanship and customer service. Cliff and his team are brilliant and we couldn’t recommend them highly enough.”
Job location: GU15
“Replacing flat roof after storm damage”
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Job location: RG27
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Job location: SW4
What Is Chimney Breast Removal?
A chimney breast is the section of brickwork that projects into a room and houses the flue. When a fireplace is no longer used, that brickwork takes up floor space and serves no purpose. Removing it gives you back that space and makes the room easier to furnish and use.
It is not a simple knock-through job. The chimney breast carries weight from the structure above it. Before any brickwork comes down, a steel beam or padstone needs to be installed to carry that load. Abel Roofing plans every removal carefully to make sure the structure is safe before, during and after the work.
What Does Chimney Breast Removal Involve?
Removing a chimney breast is a multi-stage process. Here is what Abel Roofing covers on every job:
All rubble and waste removed from site on completion
Structural assessment carried out before work starts
Building regulations application submitted on your behalf
Steel beam or padstone installed to carry the load above
Chimney breast brickwork carefully removed
Floor and ceiling made good where the breast has been taken out
Walls plastered and finished ready for decorating
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Why Have Your Chimney Breast Removed?
Reclaim Lost Space A chimney breast in a living room or bedroom can take up a significant amount of floor space. Removing it gives you a flat wall and a room that feels noticeably bigger. In smaller properties, that extra space makes a real difference.
Add Value to Your Home A properly removed and signed-off chimney breast can add to the value of your property. Buyers want proof the work was done correctly. Abel Roofing ensures building regulations sign-off is in place so you have that documentation when you need it.
Stop Ongoing Maintenance Issues Old chimney breasts can crack, let in damp and cause staining on walls and ceilings. Removing the breast eliminates those problems for good rather than patching them year after year.
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Chimney Breast Removal Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases you do not need planning permission for chimney breast removal, but you do need building regulations approval. This is because it is structural work that affects the safety of your home. If your property is listed or in a conservation area, you may need to check with your local authority before starting.
Most chimney breast removals take between 3 and 5 days depending on how many floors are involved and the condition of the existing structure. A removal on a single floor in a straightforward property will typically be at the quicker end of that range. Abel Roofing will give you a clear timeline before work begins.
Yes, this is a common approach. However, when the ground floor breast is removed the structure above needs to be supported. A steel beam is installed to carry the load, and a restraint system is put in place to make sure the remaining breast above is secure. This must be done correctly to avoid structural issues further down the line.
The cost depends on how many floors are involved, the size of the chimney breast and how much making-good work is needed afterwards. A single floor removal starts from around £1,500 to £2,500. Removing the breast from two floors will cost more. Abel Roofing provides a full quote after an assessment so you know exactly what you are paying before any work starts.
No. Chimney breast removal is dusty and disruptive but most homeowners stay in the property throughout. Abel Roofing seals off the work area where possible and clears up at the end of each day. You will be advised in advance of anything that might affect how you use the affected rooms during the job.
If the breast is removed from all floors and the stack serves no purpose, the stack can also be taken down. If the breast is only partially removed, the stack is left in place but properly supported. Abel Roofing will advise you on the best approach for your specific property based on what the structure looks like.
Yes. It is a structural alteration and falls under Part A of the Building Regulations. You or your contractor must notify building control before work starts. Abel Roofing handles the notification and makes sure the completed job is inspected and signed off properly.
It can do if the work is not properly signed off. Unpermitted structural alterations can complicate insurance claims and cause problems when selling. Making sure building regulations approval is in place protects you. Abel Roofing ensures all the correct sign-off documentation is obtained on every job.
The chimney breast is the section inside the room that projects from the wall. The chimney stack is the part that sits above the roofline. You can remove the breast without removing the stack, but the remaining stack must be properly supported. Removing the whole chimney involves both the internal breast and the external stack, which is a larger job.
Yes, but it requires more careful planning. In a terrace, the chimney may be shared with a neighbouring property. Only the section of chimney breast within your property can be removed, and the party wall must be left intact and properly supported. A party wall agreement with your neighbour may be required depending on how the work is carried out.
Almost all chimney breasts carry some structural load, either from the stack above or from floors that bear onto the chimney. You should assume it is load bearing unless a structural engineer has confirmed otherwise. Abel Roofing carries out a proper assessment on every job before any work is planned.
Once the chimney breast is out, the floor, ceiling and walls will need to be made good. Abel Roofing replaces floorboards or floor sections where needed, repairs ceiling joists and plasters the walls so the room is ready for decorating. The room is left clean and tidy with all rubble removed.
In most cases yes, or at minimum the contractor needs to have the structural elements of the job assessed and signed off. A structural engineer may be required by your building control body to confirm the specification of the steel beam being used. Abel Roofing works with qualified engineers where required to make sure every job meets the correct standard.
No. If the chimney breast is removed the fireplace goes with it. The fireplace sits within the breast and cannot remain once the brickwork is taken out. If you want to keep a decorative fireplace as a feature, chimney breast removal is not the right option for that room.