Uncovered broken fireplace

[NessaJohn]

Evening

We have an 1880s cottage in London.

What would you do with this?
We're considering removing broken insert, plastering/grouting inner section, painting surround same as wall colour (whatever that might be).

Is it a builder's job to remove metal insert?

We've already received a quote which included removing entire fireplace, plastering aperture and chimney breast - £3.5k! Unsurprisingly we didn't accept it.

Many thanks

 

[LadyArowana]

I would get a complete one from salvage and get it installed as a non functional feature, but it depends on how you plan to style the room. Ebay usually has them for not too much money.

 

[Stevers]

We have an 1880s cottage in London.

That is what I would think of as a Georgian 'Hob Grate' which I would not associate with late Victorian period, are you sure of your dates? That chimney breast with that lovely curved return looks more Georgian than Victorian to my eye as well.