First Fireplace Fitted

I was hoping to photograph the individual stages of fireplace installation. We could have opted to do a self-install, but because we have no idea about how to go about it, or what materials and fixings to use, we decided to pay for the professional install. If nothing else, it means somebody else has to lift the heavy stone around !

My stage-by-stage pictorial record got off to a good start, recording the bedding of the hearth slab onto the floor :

However, I left the period before the stage 2 picture too long :

By the time I appeared for stage 3 it was all done bar the grouting of the joints :

I must try harder when the process is repeated in the basement tomorrow.

The fitters took a look at the damp on the chimney breast in the basement, and suggested a fan heater to urge things along a little. This has worked well, and allowed me to do most of the required white mist coat this evening :