It has taken about 2 years from the day we made the decision to demolish our chimney and fireplace to our completion of the project yesterday.  Some extremely minor tasks remain, such as selection of creative knobs for the cabinet doors.   Our definition of "done" is when all contractor work is completed, invoices received and checks paid out.

There were a staggering number of decisions that were made to see this through.  The most important decisions were the selection of contractors, and we were blessed with dealing with very professional, helpful, and personable individuals.

The timeframe of the project consisted of
    summer 2019 -- identify and schedule work that would commence summer 2020
    June 2020 -- Jules (mason) single handedly tore down and hauled away 30 tons of chimney
    July 2020 -- Cory (carpenter), on the day after the chimney demolishing is completed, arrives and reframes the roof and exterior wall
    July/August 2020 -- Conor (roofer), on the day the reframing is complete, arrives to waterproof the plywood roof, and then re-roofs that portion of the house
    August 2020 -- Jules removes the firebox inside the house.  At this point feature creep takes hold and we decide to totally redo the fireplace inside the house

    January 2021 -- Cory puts in frame for new fireplace
    February 2021 -- Andersons installs the new propane fireplace
    March 2021 -- Roger (electrician) sets up the initial wiring
    May/June 2021 -- Cory frames and installs the hickory shelving, plywood walls
    June/July 2021 -- Jules installs the stone (that looks like wood!)
    July 24, 2021 -- Nadine and Mo wedding
    August 2021 -- Cory completes hickory cabinet and trim

It is really, really, really nice to not have the house under construction!!!!



Sandy really, really, really likes the fireplace!!!!





Before and After photos


    


Another "before" photo with the custom surround

    

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At the end of last summer, this was our lovely fireplace view for 6 months.







The terrifying moment when the fireplace installers cut a hole in our brand new and finally leak proof roof.  Glad they've done this a lot (or so they said!).


    


New stovepipe, with snow deflectors (pyramids) to prevent snow and ice from damaging it




Fireplace framed and ready to be installed.  We have ignition!

    



Temporary wiring in place, and framing for the hearth.




Framing and plywood walls

    


Lath for the stone.  The first stone installed is inside the shelf.

   


Everybody must get stoned.

    

Pokes used to ensure the stone stays in place overnight while it all sets.




The mason is done.  Cabinet and surround installation.

    


I wired the lights up.




Cabinet doors and final trim all installed.  Carpentry work completed.
Beautiful!!!




You are cordially invited to come for a visit and spend some time in front of a cozy fire!!!






The fat bastard chimney, now part of the Flathead County dump.