Fun fact: Boston was the first city in the US to have a formalized building code. The first code instructed that no chimney should be made of wood. Genius!

The weather has started to turn and I am seeing more and more questions about fireplaces, and how to go about upgrading the look and/or replacing the open fire with an insert.

This seemingly small home improvement can leave you tearing your hair out, because there is no "one stop shop" for fireplaces and you may need 5-6 different trades involved.

First and foremost, if you have just bought a house or have not used your fireplace for a couple of years, you should get a chimney inspection to determine the current condition and if use of the chimney is even safe and feasible.

If you are changing a fireplace to or from gas or altering the size of the firebox, you will require a building permit, and as soon as you make alterations, the fireplace must be brought up to code. For example, any firebox that is less than 6 sq ft must have 8" of noncombustible material each side and above, and the hearth must extend 16" into the room. If the firebox is 6 ft sq or larger, (as most Montclair homes are) then those dimensions enlarge to 12" and 20". There are also other codes relating to the height and projection of the mantle. It is also wise to install a liner, even if you have been using your fireplace for years quite happily. Not only is it safer, but it is more efficient.

In order to get a permit, you will need a contractor and a drawing. The contractor will be responsible for demolition of any parts of the fireplace you are not keeping, enlarging the firebox opening if required, cutting the floor to ensure the new hearth meets code requirements and levelling the floor and wall if required. If you are tiling the surround, and having a wood mantel, this may also be work for the contractor. If you are having a stone hearth and a stone surround, you will need a stone fabricator who will template / measure, fabricate and install the stone. Then you will need a fireplace store to purchase your new insert, or wood stove. They may or may not take care of the installation, in which case you may need an installer also.

This type of project requires a lot of coordination, and can cost upwards of $5000. If you are willing to spend this much, it is worth doing the job correctly and using a designer or architect for the style and drawings.

For a 'one stop shop', I can design your new fireplace to building code, select materials to meet your aesthetic and project manage the demo and install.