Do you want to find out: how much an antique fireplace is worth? We look at buying or selling an old fireplace and how an antique fireplaces can boost your home value?
Selling an Unwanted fireplace
If you've just purchased a house and found yourself with a fireplace that you are not too fond of, then selling is always an option. Here are a few steps to get you started.
Firstly, take a picture of the fireplace while it is still installed. No matter how beautiful your fireplace is, it will always look better installed rather than when it has been ripped straight out of the wall.
Also, while you're taking pictures, give the fireplace a wipe down with either a damp cloth or a dry duster. Get rid of any grime or dust you find in all the nooks and crannies. We would advise against using any off the shelf cleaning products. They cannot always be trusted, and it is hard to know what effect they will have on your antique fireplace. In some cases, they can cause irreparable damage.
If there are any metal components to your fireplace, such as insert grates or steel slips, then we would highly recommend wiping these completely dry and then using some WD40 lubricant.
Once all the photos of your antique fireplace are taken, you should get an architectural salvage expert to take a look at them.
Your fireplace might be worth quite a lot of money, and they will be the person to let you know. They will also be able to tell you all about the individual materials of the antique fireplace.
Specifics such as what kind of stone is used will be detailed. The architectural salvage expert can also offer advice on how best to have the fireplace removed.
Now you have all this information, you have a couple of options. You could sell the fireplace to the expert who took a look at the fireplace for you or another architectural salvage business.
Otherwise, you could sell your antique fireplace online. There are dozens of different sites which will allow you to sell your unwanted antique fireplace.
Buying or selling an old fireplace
We all know how valuable old high-quality antique fireplaces can be, but it is highly important to know the dangers of being "ripped off" when you are selling and buying.
If you are selling, then the people who have plenty of knowledge about antiques could trick you into underpricing your antique fireplace. If you are looking to buy, then the reverse can happen. They could get you to pay far more for your antique fireplace than is necessary.
One of the difficulties of purchasing an antique fireplace is the interchangeable nature of the fireplace's individual parts.
A fireplace with all original and complete parts is worth much more than an antique fireplace with mixed parts. Let's take 18th century Irish and English fireplaces, for example.
Even though the marble used in Irish fireplaces and English fireplaces are essentially the same to a layman, a fireplace where all the pieces are original will be worth a much higher price.
Keeping with the 18th-century example, the height of these fireplaces would often be increased or reduced to fit in specific homes.
Height is easy to increase simply through the use of placing the fireplace on block feet but reducing the size is much more difficult. In fact, fireplaces were often reduced in size simply by cutting the jambs. This not only reduces the size but also the fireplace's value.
If you are looking to either buy or sell an antique fireplace, then we would advise the hiring of an architectural salvage expert to take a look at the fireplace of interest. This way, you can receive an accurate price, and you will know that a potential buyer or seller is not swindling you.
Can Antique Fireplaces Boost Your Home Value?
Add Value Onto Your Home
If you can believe it, there are dozens of property developers around the country that are currently incorporating antique fireplaces into their properties before they go on sale.
This is done as antique fireplaces can, in some cases, add thousands of pounds onto a home's property value. So if you are thinking of making some alterations to your home before you sell, add an antique fireplace to the list.
It will certainly help with walking away from your home with a bigger bank balance. Antique fireplaces are always striking and remarkable. They will certainly help with receiving offers from potential buyers.
Maximise its Value
To generate the maximum return on your investment, you should put your home on the market during winter. You may wonder why you would want to sell your home during the cold winter months.
Imagine potential buyers coming in from the cold and being tempted inside by your large, warming, and cosy antique fireplace.
Not only will they be warmed up, but their eyes will be pulled towards your stunning fireplace. This could be the thing that makes them realise your home is worth the asking price.
The Right Design
Antique fireplaces will raise the price of a property, but for this plan to work, you will need a fireplace that works well with your interior and complements your decor.
If your home has been designed to be elegant and sophisticated, then you need an antique fireplace that matches that aesthetic.
What's the Cost of an Antique Fireplace?
The prices of antique fireplaces are based upon a selection of key features. Firstly, it is important to know that the intricacy of the fireplace's design will always play a key role in the final price.
The more ornate, highly decorated, and intricate the design is, then the higher the final price is likely to be. These intricate designs also take a huge amount of precision, meaning they take longer to create and need high-quality craftspeople to build. This also contributes to the price.
How to find the right antique fireplace for your period home
If you are looking for an antique fireplace that suits your home, then there are some steps you can take to make this process easier for yourself. We would recommend starting with talking to your neighbours.
Did they ever see your home with the original fireplace in situ? How did it look? What was the design? What was the size of the fireplace?
You may not be able to find the exact same design that was originally in your home, but if you visit a reclamation yard, then you are sure to find something that will look, at the very least, semi-similar. Alternatively, if you have no luck at the reclamation yards, then perhaps look online.
Online selling sites are full of renovators who have just ripped out a vintage fireplace from their wall and are now looking to get rid of it. You will even get a better price if they are looking to sell the fireplace quickly.
Do you have a period fireplace which needs repair or restoration. If you live in the Hastings and East Sussex area, our expert antique fireplace restoration services can help.