How much would it cost to have my chimney stack removed from my bungalow?

Question

I live in the North West. The house is a dormer bungalow and we already have scaffolding up as the roof is being reslated. The chimney is pebble dashed and I'm told in a bad state and we will be better off having it removed and capped. We do not use this chimney since we had the gas boiler removed a couple of years ago. Is it going to cost me a fortune? Also will we need planning permission? Thanks

Answer 1

What has probably happened is that air has continued to go in the chimney; when the furnace is removed you should usually put a chimney liner in it to keep the moisture accumulating causing the mortar and brick from decomposing. The heat previously sent into the chimney would dry off any previous moisture. New high energy furnaces always must have a liner in the chimney because they emit less hot air into the chimney. I am going to GUESS that you could have the chimney knocked down and capped off for $600 but I could be way off based on the house and how high the chimney is and if any roof repairs will be necessary.

Answer 2

Check and see if you need a building permit to remove it.  Since you are having the roof reslated removing the chimney stack would be no different than pulling a pipe, installing insulation in the opening, putting plywood in the opening and roofing on top of that.  Make sure they don't just plug the hole but reinforce it so someone doesn't step on it at some time and fall and break their leg.

The cost should be minimal.

Answer 3

you wont need planning permission but you will need someone who knows what they are doing to remove it! there is an awful lot of weight in a chimney, as long as it is done slowly, there should be no problem for it to be removed. as for cost you have the scaffold up and that would be the most substantial cost, the actual removal and capping should cost you no more than a few hundred pounds (approx £500 - £700). have you asked your roofers can they do it?  

Answer 4

Can't see that you need planning permision to remove it, but why ask here, surely the roofers or builders who are already there will give you a quote.