How do I plan a NB kitchen reno around an old chimney?

Planning around an existing chimney is one of the trickier kitchen renovation challenges in New Brunswick, where older homes — especially those built before 1980 — frequently have interior brick chimneys running through the kitchen or adjacent walls.

The first thing to understand is that a chimney is almost always a structural element, and in many NB homes it's also still active or was recently decommissioned. Before you plan a single cabinet run, you need to know three things: Is the chimney load-bearing? Is it still in use? And what condition is the masonry in? A qualified contractor or structural engineer should assess this before you commit to any layout — especially if you're considering removing or relocating it.

If You're Keeping the Chimney

Most NB homeowners choose to work around the chimney rather than remove it, and honestly, that's usually the smarter call. Chimney removal in an older home can cascade into significant structural work, asbestos abatement (if the mortar or surrounding materials are pre-1980), and foundation considerations — costs can climb to $10,000–$25,000+ depending on the scope.

Working around it means designing your cabinet layout to treat the chimney as a fixed obstacle. Experienced kitchen designers do this regularly — the chimney can become a natural divider between a cooking zone and a prep zone, or the wall it occupies can house open shelving or a built-in pantry column rather than a standard upper cabinet run. The key is getting accurate measurements of the chimney's footprint at counter height, because brick chimneys are rarely perfectly square and often wider at the base.

Clearance requirements matter here. If the chimney is active (wood stove, oil furnace flue, or fireplace), the NB Building Code requires non-combustible clearances around the flue — typically 50mm (2 inches) minimum between combustible materials and the chimney exterior, though this varies by chimney type. Your contractor needs to confirm the exact clearance with your local building department or RSC before cabinets go in.

If You're Removing the Chimney

If the chimney is decommissioned and you want it gone, this becomes a structural and permit project. A chimney that runs from the basement through the roof is often tied into the floor framing and may require temporary support during removal. You'll need a building permit, and depending on your municipality (Moncton, Fredericton, Saint John all have their own inspection departments) or RSC if you're in a rural area, you may also need engineered drawings.

Budget $8,000–$20,000 for full chimney removal including patching the roof, repairing the floor framing, and making good the walls — more if asbestos is present in the surrounding materials, which is common in NB homes from the 1960s–1970s.

Practical Tips

Start by having a mason or contractor assess the chimney's condition and active status before your kitchen designer draws a single layout. If it's staying, give your designer the exact dimensions — width, depth, and how far it protrudes from the wall at both counter and upper cabinet height. Ask your contractor specifically about combustible clearance requirements for your chimney type. And if asbestos is a concern (floor tiles, pipe insulation, or old mortar in pre-1980 homes), get an asbestos assessment done before demolition begins — this is non-negotiable in NB.

New Brunswick Kitchens can match you with a local kitchen renovator who has experience working around older NB home features like chimneys. Get matched for free and get a proper assessment before your layout is finalized.