Fireplace HELP!

[Priscilla Z.]

I'm rehabbing my latest house in Florida, first one with a fireplace.

Apparently it leaks. Since it is Florida there are not many contractors in my area that specialize in fireplaces, only two to be exact. Neither has called me back to schedule an appointment and I'm on a timeline.

Here is my plan. I'm going to seal/close the chimney part and insert an electric fireplace. In my area that only reduces the value of the house by $1,500 so no biggie, I'm in Florida remember :)

The only contractor that came out to see it yesterday does not do repairs to the actual fireplace inside but can seal the chimney. So I can use him for that. Then it would be a matter of removing the firebox and inserting the electric one, and lucky for me, there is a plug right in the box.

Now, this fix sounds too easy to me. Anything I should be concerned/mindful of?