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What to ask an Old fireplace redesign contractor
Whoever you call, a few questions separate a contractor who will deliver a working fireplace from one who will only change how it looks:
Questions worth asking before you hire
- Will you inspect the chimney and flue before giving a plan?
- Who does the work: your own crew, or someone you send out?
- If an insert is going in, does the plan include a properly sized liner?
- For a factory-built unit, will the replacement parts or new unit be listed for that system?
- What happens if the inspection turns up damage?
- Will the estimate separate firebox and venting work from finish work?
Our answers are straightforward. To see what a redesign typically involves, read about our old fireplace redesign service.
What we handle
An older fireplace can need anything from a cleaning to a full unit replacement. Everything below is work we do directly:
- Inspection: Chimney & Fireplace Inspection and Chimney Camera Inspection.
- Getting it usable again: Fireplace Cleaning, Creosote Removal, Chimney Blockage Removal and Chimney Animal & Nest Removal for fireplaces that have sat unused.
- Structure: Firebox Repair, Smoke Chamber Repair, Chimney Damper Repair, Chimney Liner Installation and Chimney Masonry Repair.
- The new look and feel: Fireplace Insert Installation, Fireplace Conversion, Gas Log Installation, Gas Line Installation and Fireplace Door Installation.
- Factory-built units: Refractory Panel Replacement, Prefab Chimney & Chase Repair and Prefab Fireplace Replacement.
We offer same-day service where the schedule allows, take emergency calls and are available 24 hours, Sunday through Friday, which helps if something fails mid-season while you're still planning the redesign.
When a good contractor pushes back on a design
Part of the job is telling you when a plan won't work as drawn. Some examples we run into:
- An insert won't vent safely through an oversized or cracked flue without a new liner.
- A gas conversion needs a gas supply at the fireplace, so the line has to be part of the plan.
- A factory-built fireplace can't take just any insert or log set; it has to be approved for that unit.
- A crumbling firebox should be repaired before any new doors or facing go on.
Hearing this up front saves you from redoing finished work. For the bigger picture on what goes wrong in older systems, see our guide to common chimney problems, and our guide to efficient fireplace options helps you weigh heat against looks. Finish styles are covered under classic marble fireplace renovation and the custom fireplace design service.
What happens during the visit
Worn gaskets and glass on inserts and gas units waste heat and can leak exhaust. Cracks in the firebox let heat reach the framing behind it.
Find the cause
The firebox, damper, smoke chamber and any doors, glass or panels are checked.
Confirm the type
Masonry or factory-built — the repair has to suit the system.
Explain the fix
You hear the options and what each involves before work starts.
Repair and test
The work is done and the fireplace is checked before you use it.
Signs it's time for old fireplace redesign
- Cracked or missing firebrick or refractory panels
- Smoke coming into the room
- A damper that won't open or close
- Rust or warping inside the firebox
Before the technician arrives
- Keep pets in another room while the work area is open.
- Move rugs, photos and anything fragile away from the work area.
- Clear a few feet of space in front of the hearth or appliance.
- Write down what you've noticed and when it happens — smells, smoke, sounds or stains.
If smoke comes into the room
Stop adding fuel, open a window and don't relight the fire until the chimney has been checked. If the smoke is heavy, an alarm sounds or you suspect a chimney fire, get everyone outside and call 911.
What the technician checks
- Draft from the opening
- Firebrick or refractory panels
- Smoke chamber and smoke shelf
- Mortar joints inside the firebox
- Damper operation
