COST GUIDES
How much does it cost to open up a fireplace?
Updated 07/26
Opening up a fireplace is a great way to add character and value to a period property. You could discover a long-forgotten stone marble masterpiece, or other beautiful original features.
Fast Facts
Expect to pay an average of £300 to knock out the current fireplace, £325 for a new flue liner, and £275 for a replacement hearth
The total cost can vary a lot, depending on the type of fireplace you have
Remember to factor in plastering, painting, and decorating costs too
If you're tempted to see what's behind a blocked-up chimney, you should know a few key things about what's involved. It could involve little more than prising off an old sheet of hardboard, or the job could be much more complicated.
In this guide, we'll look at how much opening up a fireplace costs. This includes installing a new flue liner and tidying up afterwards.
Opening up a fireplace cost
| Cost provided item | Unit | Cost - low | Cost - high | Cost - average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tradesperson to knock out fireplace | Per day | £250 | £350 | £300 |
| Rubble removal | Per chimney | £80 | £100 | £90 |
| Cherry picker (if required) | Per half day | £125 | £175 | £150 |
| New flue liner measuring six meters | - | £250 | £400 | £325 |
| Replacement hearth | Each | £200 | £350 | £275 |
| Plastering | Per day | £200 | £300 | £250 |
| Painting and decorating | Per day | £200 | £240 | £220 |
| Chimney sweeping service | Per chimney | £50 | £80 | £65 |
| Last updated: July 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | ||||
The cost of opening up a fireplace can vary quite widely, from around £500-£1500. You're looking at an average of:
£300 to knock out the current fireplace
£325 for a new flue liner (if you want a working fireplace)
£275 for a replacement hearth
£250 per day for a plasterer, plus £220 per day for a painter and decorator
Plus other costs such as rubble removal, decorations, and any other materials you need.
How much does it cost to open up a fireplace? It depends on how the original fireplace was boarded up. Very occasionally, part of the old surround or insert will remain. It's more likely though that it will have been completely removed and the opening either boarded or bricked up.
If the opening is boarded up, expect to pay towards the lower end of the range. A bricked and plastered opening adds at least one extra day of labour.
Installing a new flue liner costs
As a rough guide, a new flue liner measuring six metres will cost between £250 and £400 depending on the quality and supplier.
If you're installing a new flue liner, here's what you need to know:
Some tasks will need to comply with Building Regulations. For example, installing a new appliance, adding a hearth or removing chimney breasts.
Lining a chimney is essential before you can install a new appliance or have an open fire.
Knocking out a fireplace will usually take around half to a full day, whilst sweeping and installing the lining could take another. The average day rate for a tradesperson to do this job should be around £250-£350.
Plastering and painting costs
Other related costs of opening up a fireplace include plastering and painting. You could try both of these yourself to save money, but it's advisable to get a professional in.
The average price to plaster a room is £250 per day, although it could be less than this depending on the work required.
For painting, you can expect to pay a day rate of around £220 for a painter and decorator's time.
Find a trusted tradesperson for your fireplace
What affects the cost of opening up a fireplace?
The total cost of opening up your fireplace depends on a number of things, such as:
The size and type of fireplace
How old your fireplace is
Whether it's been boarded or bricked up
How you want to decorate it
Whether you intend to use it as a real fireplace, or just open it for decoration
Whether you have a period property
Whether you want to remove the chimney as well
Boarded up vs bricked up fireplaces
The biggest factor affecting the cost is how your fireplace was sealed up.
A boarded-up opening - usually hardboard or plasterboard - is easy to remove, taking about half a day and only produces a small amount of waste. Expect to pay towards the lower end of the range.
However, a bricked and plastered opening is more challenging. It means knocking back masonry, disposing of the rubble, and replastering. If this is the case, plan for a full day's labour (or possibly more), and budget at the higher end.
Does a back boiler need removing first?
If you have an old home that has a back boiler in the chimney breast, this will need to be decommissioned and removed first.
This is a Gas Safe job (don't attempt to DIY!) that requires a Gas Safe engineer, which will add to the overall cost of opening your fireplace.
Opening up for use vs decoration only
If you're planning to use your fireplace to burn solid fuel or wood:
The chimney must be lined and swept
The hearth must meet Building Regs
You must notify building control and obtain any permits you need
This will all cost a little extra.
On the other hand, opening the fireplace just for decoration - perhaps to display a design feature, decorations, or as an area for a different type of heater or electric fire - is a much smaller job.
In this case there's no need for a flue liner and generally no specific regulations to conform to.
To get the most accurate quote from tradespeople, make sure you discuss how you intend to use your fireplace once it's opened up.
On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.
Reinstating a fireplace cost
Most people reopen an old fireplace so that they can restore it, bringing it back to life as a focal point of the room. There are a number of different things you can do to your new open fireplace, such as the below.
Cast iron inserts. If you were lucky enough to find an old cast iron fire hidden behind the plaster, you should be able to get it cleaned up. It may take some specialist skill and equipment though, not to mention elbow grease. If your recess is empty, you can restore it to its former glory with a new cast iron fireplace insert.
Fire baskets. Another option is to place a fire basket inside your newly reopened fireplace. This can be used to burn fuel in, or just as a decorative feature. You can also find electric fire baskets and gas fire baskets, if these are more suitable.
Paint the fireplace. If you're planning to open up a fireplace for decoration only, painting it is a good way to get the finish you want. You can also add finishing touches such as logs, candles, plants or books.
Fit a new fire surround. Every fireplace deserves an elegant fire surround. You can create a period feel with a marble or cast iron fire surround, or a clean, modern look with versatile wood surrounds.
Cost to build a fireplace
Want to add a fireplace to your home? In this guide find out the average cost to build a fireplace in the UK for different types of fireplace.
Opening up a fireplace for a log burner
Opening up your fireplace to install a log burner takes a bit of planning. You'll need:
A HETAS-registered installer to fit the stove itself
A flue lining sized for the stove
A hearth that meets the minimum depth and non-combustible material requirements
The full job of opening up the fireplace and installing the new stove can often be done in a single visit.
Opening up a fireplace for decoration only
If you're just opening up your fireplace for decorative purposes, and don't intend to use it as a real fireplace, you can skip the flue liner and don't usually need to adhere to any regulations.
It's still worth having the chimney inspected for any blockages or pests. But other than that, it's really just a cosmetic job: it just needs to be plastered, painted, and finished with whatever insert, surround, or other decoration you want installed.
14 fireplace back panel ideas
If your fireplace is in need of a facelift, give some thought to the back panel you select. Getting it wrong can create a distraction in your home decor. We've outlined 14 of the best fireplace back panel ideas to help you make the right choice for your home.
Try the job estimate calculator
Want a rough quote, so you know how much it may cost you to open up your fireplace? Give the Checkatrade job estimate calculator a go.
All you need to do is jot down a few details about the project, and the tool will use our pricing data to give you an approximate cost.
Job Estimate Calculator
How to open up a fireplace
Before you get started, consider the following:
What will you use it for? Will you be opening up your fireplace for decoration only, or will you want to use it again? This will have an impact on how much work will need to be done.
What type of chimney do you have? If you have a class 2 prefabricated flue, you won’t be able to burn solid fuel in your fireplace. So, unless you are doing it for decorative reasons only, it might not be worth it unless you have a class 1 brick chimney. It's important to find this out before you start the work.
Changes might be subject to building regulations. If you alter the chimney in any way, you will have to notify your local building control authority. If you want to burn a fire in the fireplace again, you'll need to ensure it is in a good and safe condition, relining it if necessary.
Do you need planning permission? The answer is generally no - you don't need planning permission to open up a fireplace. However, if your property is a listed building, you may need permission.
There may be future maintenance. Again, if you plan on burning solid fuel, you'll need to get the chimney swept regularly. There may also be other maintenance issues to take care of, as well as costs.
Ready to go? You'll need to do some preparation, starting with hiring a chimney sweep to inspect the quality of your chimney.
The average cost of a chimney sweep in the UK is between £50 to £80.
Find a tradesperson to open your fireplace
With Checkatrade, you're in the right place to get started finding a trusted local tradesperson who can open up a fireplace.
Enter your postcode to browse tradespeople who offer fireplace building services in your area, and get in touch to start gathering quotes.
Find a trusted tradesperson for your fireplace
You can also post your job to hear back from local tradespeople - or download the Checkatrade app to book tradespeople on the go!
FAQs
Unless the building is listed, you won't usually need planning permission to open up a fireplace. You will need to make sure you meet Building Regulations though. A trusted tradesperson will be able to organise all of this for you.
A fireplace can definitely add value to a house, as well as decorative appeal - especially if it's an original period fireplace in good condition.
See if you can do some research into your property first. If your house was built in the first half of the 1900s, you may well have a period fireplace just waiting to be uncovered.
For more modern houses, your chances are smaller. If you can find any past surveys on your home, this might give you an insight into whether or not you have a fireplace to reopen.
Opening up a fireplace typically costs between £500 and £1,500 in total, depending on how it was blocked up and what you plan to do with it.
A boarded-up opening costs at the lower end, while a bricked and plastered opening with a new flue liner and hearth is at the higher end.
Opening up a fireplace can usually be done in the space of a day. The difficulty depends on how it was sealed.
Removing a hardboard or plasterboard cover is a straightforward half-day job. Knocking back brick and plaster is more involved and creates more dust and rubble. It's a job for a builder or experienced tradesperson, not a weekend DIY project.
Look for a chimney breast bulge on the wall and check whether the property has a chimney above roof level. If your house was built before about 1960 there's a good chance there's a fireplace behind the plasterwork. Any old surveys or planning records for the property may confirm it.
It may be difficult. Removing a boarded-up opening is within reach of a competent DIYer, but anything involving the chimney structure, a new flue liner, or a new appliance must meet Building Regulations and should be done by a qualified tradesperson.
If in doubt, get a builder or chimney specialist in to assess first.
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