I'm closing on a house soon and starting to think about renovations. I live in Alabama, and honestly, every house I've seen has a big fireplace, but no one's really using them—mostly just for show. My house was built in 1996 and has a huge fireplace taking up a lot of living room space. Currently, I'd have to mount our TV above it, which isn't ideal since we'd lose space for our entertainment system. I'm not planning on using the fireplace, so I'm wondering if it's possible for me to remove it myself or if I should hire a contractor. I've been told it's a wood burning fireplace in great shape according to the inspector. What do you think?
3 Answers
I wouldn't go all out and remove it. Instead, why not just cover it? I created a wall over mine with some MDF, painted it the same color, and added a mirror above it. You could also place your entertainment center right in front of it, which is a practical solution. Trust me, fully removing a fireplace can be a huge hassle and it also eliminates a feature that others might like. Just make sure to close the flue before sealing it up!
Are you considering removing everything, even up to the chimney cap? I really suggest hiring a pro since I’ve seen videos where people tried to take down their chimney and ended up causing major damage. It's a tough job that requires a careful, brick-by-brick approach. Also, just to let you know, someone shared how removing their chimney led to their house shifting—doors weren't closing right and windows became hard to open afterward. Maybe you could just seal the chimney and drywall over it instead?
As a contractor, I wouldn’t really recommend going through with complete removal. It could cost a lot and turn out to be a waste of money since many people appreciate having a fireplace. If it’s layout and where to put your TV that bothers you, maybe invest that money into rearranging your furniture or changing up your wall layout a bit instead. We have a gas fireplace in our Southern home that we actually use, so you might find it nice to keep it functional. It’s super easy now—just flip a switch!