Best fireplace pros near Ogema, MN

Yes, removing a chimney is a difficult and major undertaking. Chimneys often provide structural support to a home, so if it's a load-bearing structure, you'll need to take extra precautions to maintain your home's integrity. A project of this complexity typically requires a structural engineer, a masonry contractor, and a demolition crew. The removal process may involve taking the chimney out brick by brick from inside the walls. The cost for chimney removal can range from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the job's complexity. Due to the difficulty and cost, some homeowners opt to remove the fireplace and seal the chimney at the top and bottom, sometimes also removing the visible exterior portion at the roofline.

Chimney crowns may be stone, concrete, or metal but most crowns are made of concrete. It’s not recommended to build chimney crowns with mortar (which is different from concrete) due to it’s weaker composition (especially when exposed to the outside elements). Most chimney crowns are custom made to fit your home’s specific chimney.

If you're looking for supplemental heating for your home, an electric fireplace can be worth purchasing. A prefab, freestanding model will only set you back a few hundred dollars and can help to heat up drafty or cooler rooms. Electric fireplaces don't have the maintenance requirements of gas or wood-burning fireplaces and don't require you to buy wood or other fuel.

Pellet stoves do require electricity to power their automated features, such as the pellet feeder, fans, and digital controls. However, their electricity consumption is relatively low compared to other household appliances. During a power outage, pellet stoves equipped with battery backup systems or manual ignition options can still operate, though fans and automatic feed mechanisms may not function. Have a backup heating plan in place for these situations, especially if you live in a region prone to severe weather events.