Fireplace FAQ’s
Do you do the installation, or can you organise it for me?
We do not do the installation here at Holyrood but have teamed up with a pair of fantastic installers. Once you have bought what you want to be fitted, you have two options. The first option is to use the recommended independent installers that we have worked alongside for over 12 years and have gained our trust. The advantage to this is once they have been and done a survey, if it turns out it won’t fit or the final cost including installation is going to be too expensive then you can take advantage of our extended refund policy. You are eligible for a full refund up to 14 days after you have been giving the final quote from the installers. The installers will supply all the other items you may need such as a hearth, liner, cowls etc… The other option would be to do an online search for a ‘Grate builder’ or ‘Fireplace installer’ along with your location. We are happy for your chosen installer to contact us as needed to discuss dimensions of your items etc… The returns policy this way is 7 days from purchase for a cash refund and then up to 28 days for a credit note.
If I use the recommended installers, how will the process work?
To get the installers details all we ask is for you to pay a refundable 10% deposit on the items you would like. This allows us to secure them for you and to give the installers a better idea of what is to be fitted. You will then be given their business card and information, for you to contact them directly. In the meantime, we will send them images and your details to prepare them for what is needing to be fitted. Together you will organise a suitable date for a sweep and/or survey to take place. They will sweep your chimney if needed and ensure it is safe and in good condition then they will do a survey where the fireplace is going, taking all relevant sizes needed to ensure what you have chosen will fit. Decorative installation surveys in Edinburgh are £50 and a full chimney sweep and survey is £90. If you live out with Edinburgh then they will travel the length and breadth of Scotland no problem at a small extra charge. They will discuss with you the items that they will supply such as your hearth options, liner options (if needed) and all the other items needed for a complete installation. They will then contact their suppliers, get a cost for those items and will be back in contact with you for the final quote. The items will get ordered up before finally arranging an installation date for you. Once you have confirmed you are going ahead with the installers, they will let us know and I can then contact you to take the balance for your items. Items must be paid within 7 days of confirming the go-ahead with installers.
Can’t I just get the survey and sweep done first?
The installers we recommend are not employees of Holyrood. To save on delaying complete installation jobs they have asked us to only give out their details to people that truly want an installation and not just to have their antique chimney professionally swept and ask advice on the upkeep of their current fireplace etc.. as the time to do this takes them away from their main bread and butter which is installations. This works two-fold as the genuine customers get their fireplaces installed much sooner than if they spent half their week sweeping chimneys. By choosing atleast one bit of the fireplace it also gives the installers a greater idea of fitment and material required before coming to you. Remember, any deposit paid to Holyrood to get the installers details will be refunded should you decide not to go ahead.
What can I fit on my wall?
95% of the time any of our mantels and inserts can be fitted straight away or adapted to work. It’s only a real issue if you have windows/cupboards either side of the mantel or a breast wall that protrudes. In these instances, you would measure the gap and then make sure the shelf width of the mantel isn’t greater.
Id like a gas fire, which inserts are suitable for that?
We can get gas fires custom made for any insert you see here. They are gassed to 6.9Kw input so no additional ventilation is needed in the room and they give off approx. 2.6Kw. These are priced at £600 for a manual control or £800 for remote control. We also supply reproduction fires which give of a more powerful 4.1Kw of heat for the same amount of gas used and also high efficiency glass fronted “hole in the wall” type gas fire.
What back do I need for my insert?
This will depend on if you are going for a solid fuel fire, Gas fire or just a decorative fireplace. For solid fuel you will need a stone Milner which is £165 and a grate and ashpan which is £60. For gas you need a fibre back which is £140. For decorative use then we can make a custom steel one to any depth you need, we add a tray to put lights/flowers etc… in and a cap at the top with vent holes to stop large debris coming down.
Do you supply electric fires for the original inserts?
Unfortunately we don’t.
I’m looking for a stove, what type of mantel is best for that?
All stoves come with a certain ‘Distance to combustibles’ rule that has to be adhered to. Due to this we recommend either Cast iron, Slate or Marble as these are non-combustible. Some wooden mantels are large enough to accommodate these distances or can have slate/granite heatshields added to the side of the legs and top though. We can also supply oak beams of various finishes and styles.
What fuel can I burn in my fire/stove?
If you are in Edinburgh or a smoke-controlled zone then you will have to use smokeless coal or smokeless logs for a traditional open fire. If it is a stove that meets Defra 2022 requirements (We only sell those that do), then you can burn kiln dried logs.
My chimney is blocked/damaged, and I don’t want to purchase a liner right now. Can I get it installed then get the liner later?
Partially yes, the fireplace can still get installed but the installers will not back fill or properly seal it until the chimney has been repaired or a liner has been installed. This is to prevent people burning fires in an unsafe way and makes the installation of a liner easier when the time comes.
If I purchase a fireplace and go through the recommended installers, where do I store those items in the meantime?
We will store your items here until your installation date or upto 10 weeks for free. If everything is done in a good timely manner, then on average it takes about 6 weeks from purchase date to installation. We don’t have a lot of storage space so can’t store items for months before you are ready for it. If there is a delay due to an item out of stock etc. or some unforeseen circumstance with the installer, then this will be extended free of charge.
I just want the fireplace to be supply only as i have my own installer, how long will you store it for me?
The standard 7 days to collect applies. In some cases, we may be able to store your items for a short while longer, just ask.
Do you deliver if I am supply only?
We don’t do the deliveries here, but we know a really good man that does. He collects and delivers a lot of items for us so is very trustworthy. His prices start from £25 for a one man lift locally and then anything outside of Edinburgh is charged at £1 a mile there and back. The best thing to do is phone him direct for a quote. Bart – 07901 825 638 Installers FAQ Installers contact details will be given once purchase of a fireplace has taken place.
When is the best time and way to contact the installer?
The best time to contact the installer by phone is between 6pm and 9pm Monday to Saturday. The installers working days are very busy, they could be on top of a roof installing a liner in or elbows deep in cement so its not always easy to answer during the day. You can text, WhatsApp, or email at any point during the day and they will be in touch with you as soon as they can.
How is a typical quote broken down?
The quote you will receive from the installer will have the prices for items needed, fireplace installation and if required, liner installation and rubble/waste removal. All items that are supplied are priced as is, the overall installation price covers installation of these items and items bought from Holyrood. All prices given will have the VAT added already.
Do they dispose of the rubble/waste for me?
They do have a disposal skip at their industrial unit for safe and responsible waste removal. They will offer you an additional rubble/waste removal price to the quote should you wish for them to dispose of this on your behalf.
What does the Sweep and/or survey entail?
Once you have contacted the installers to arrange a suitable time for them to pop out, they will ensure what you have chosen will fit, measure up the hearth space area and determine how deep your chamber is. If you opt for the sweep too then they will put down blankets and dust sheets before thoroughly sweeping the inside of your chimney and performing a smoke test to ensure its in safe and useable condition.
Do I need a liner?
At the survey, your chimney will be swept and checked over to determine if you need a liner or not. If your chimney is fine and meets regulations, then you wont need one. If it is breached, unsafe or you specify you want one then the installers can also supply and install these. Some regulations state you must use a liner in certain circumstances even if your chimney is ok. For example, if you are having a gas fire and the chimney is longer than 12 metres then you need a liner. All the efficiency ratings given by manufacturers of their gas fires and stoves are determined with the appliance using a liner too as they improve the draw of a fire.
What kind of hearth material choices do they supply?
They have all the popular choices such as slate, riven slate (textured), honed granite, polished granite etc.. they also can supply marbles such as Carrara and limestones. Please ask one of the staff here to see the samples.
What are some typical installation costs?
It is very hard to give an accurate installation price as every fireplace is different from the next. To give a very basic and loose estimate though then basing it on someone who has a full fireplace already in situ and it needs to be removed and replaced with a new full fireplace:
Decorative only installation £400 - £700
Gas fire installation £700 - 900
Solid fuel fire installation £800 - 1000
Stove installation £800 - £1000
Bigger variations in the price can occur when you just need an insert and hearth fitted. Want a stove installed but no mantel, just a beam. Marble mantel that needs built up compared to a wooden mantel that gets placed on the wall etc…
What are some of the bigger typical item costs?
Most fireplaces will require a hearth and tail piece. Either as an update to meet regulations or for aesthetics. The most popular being honed granite and honed slate, other stones are available but prices vary wildly for these. Typical cost for an average custom cut hearth for solid fuel with dimensions of 1675mm x 510mm and tail piece in slate is around £650. If you opt to go for a premade hearth in the limited stock sizes, these can work out cheaper, a 1525mm x 455mm hearth with tail piece in honed slate is around £500 for example. Not everyone can get away with the premade stock sized hearths though, a lot of it will depend on if your sub-hearth is small enough, how far out the burning area is, if its solid fuel or gas etc.. When it comes to the survey, you can discuss with the installer whether a stock sized hearth may be suitable for you or not. Liner prices if needed depend on the length required, material they are made from and if it is for gas, solid fuel fire or stove.
Some common examples would be:
10m of 5” Gas liner around £750
10m of 6” Stove liner would be around £1100
10m of 7” Open solid fuel fire would be around £1350
The cost for installation of a liner will depend on the height of the chimney, access to the roof, diameter and material of the liner, an average cost would be around £200.
What happens on the day of installation and what can I do to prepare?
The installers will collect all the items you bought from Holyrood on the day and bring their own supplied items too. Much like the sweep performed at the survey stage, blankets and dust sheets will be put down to protect your carpets/flooring. They will then begin to remove your existing fireplace and open the chamber to accept the new fireplace. Installation of the new fireplace will take place before finally plastering your wall neatly ready to be lined or wallpapered. The only thing you may need to then consider is if the new fireplace is smaller then you will need to contact a joiner or your local DIY store for some skirting board. If you are having a gas appliance installed, then the gas safe engineer will come at a later date to install and test this to allow time for all the cement and rendering to have hardened. The best thing you can do for preparation is to clear as much soft furnishings, small electronics, and delicate items as possible from the room or at least from the front of the fireplace leading to the doorway. Although great care is taken there will obviously be an element of dust that will float around the air so the more you can remove to safeguard these items, the better.
Do I have to be in the whole time?
You are free to leave the installers on their own in the house to carry the work out if you have a busy schedule. They have done this many times and just posted the keys back through the letter box or in a lock box at the end of the day.
How long will it be until my fireplace is installed?
Once you have purchased a fireplace from us, you will be given the contact details to arrange a survey. This can generally be done within a week or two. After the survey, the installer will then contact you again a few days later with his quote. Once you are happy to proceed, you would pay the installer for any of the items he may need to order in for you and he can get you booked in which is generally 4 – 6 weeks from this point. This gives plenty of time for your items to arrive and he can fulfil all his other on going jobs at the same time.
When do I pay the installers?
Payment for materials needed will be made before an installation date will be arranged to confirm the go ahead with the work. Payment for installation is to be done within 24 hours of the work being completed.
Are the installers HETAS approved?
Yes, they are HETAS approved.
Can they do gas work?
The installers themselves are not gas engineers but they do have a close relationship with a gas safe engineer so this can all be taken care of and you will receive an official gas certificate when the job is done.
Terms and Conditions:
Aswell as the standard terms and conditions at the bottom of the website, these also apply.
*For the recommended installers to do the installation, you must buy atleast one of these items: Mantel, stove or insert .
*If you get the survey done and then change your mind on your purchase from us and buy elsewhere, the installers will not be able to continue the installation with you due to a conflict of interest.
*All prices given here are only to give you awareness to the approx cost to help with decision making, they are all subject to change depending on suppliers prices, please use these as a helpful guide only. *All Prices given in the final quote supplied by the installer are valid for 14 days. If you decide to proceed out with the 14 days then a new quote may need to be drawn up.