Chimney Breast Removal Structural Engineer — London & Essex
Removing a chimney breast frees up a surprising amount of space in bedrooms and living rooms. But the stack above still needs support — that's where we come in. We design the steelwork and gallows brackets that keep everything safe, and produce the calculations your builder needs to get Building Control sign-off.
What We Design for Chimney Breast Removal
- Steel beams or RSJs to carry the remaining chimney stack
- Gallows brackets bolted back to the party wall or flank wall
- Padstone details and bearing point specifications
- Temporary propping sequence for safe removal
- Building Control calculation pack and marked-up drawings
What you should know
- You can remove the breast on one floor while keeping it on others — we design for partial or full removal
- If the chimney is shared with a neighbour (party wall), you'll likely need a Party Wall Award before work starts
- Building Control approval is required — removing a chimney breast without proper calculations is a common reason for enforcement notices
- The remaining stack above needs ongoing support, not just temporary propping
How the process works
- You get in touch — send us photos and measurements, or we arrange a site visit to assess the chimney and surrounding structure.
- We design the support — steel beam sizing, gallows bracket layout, bearing details, and temporary works guidance.
- You get the calculation pack — everything your builder and Building Control need, typically within 7–10 days.
- Your builder does the work — following our propping sequence and steel install notes.
- Building Control signs off — we liaise directly if needed to resolve any queries.
Chimney Breast Removal FAQs
- Can I remove a chimney breast myself? The demolition is straightforward, but the structural support design must be done by an engineer. Without it, your insurance and any future sale could be affected.
- How much does a chimney breast removal cost? Our structural design fee typically starts from a few hundred pounds. The building work itself varies depending on access and the number of floors involved.
- Do I need a Party Wall agreement? If the chimney is on or near a shared wall, yes — almost always. We can advise on this during your consultation.
