Widen the chimney for the fireplace in the living room, yes or no?

Hello everyone,

we are having a semi-detached house built by a developer. Currently, the shell construction is up along with the chimney and roof tiles. Only the windows are missing before work inside continues.

Since we have a chimney and have already purchased a fireplace that is 14 cm wider, we asked our developer if it would be possible to widen the chimney. He said he does not mind that the fireplace is wider. But one could widen the chimney with ytong blocks.

Now we are not sure whether we should widen the chimney so that the fireplace fits nicely and whether we should leave it as it is? What do you think?

The fireplace is located on the living room wall where the TV will be in the future. To the left, it leads into the kitchen.

I would appreciate your opinion.

Best regards, Andi

In the picture, it looks as if the chimney on the left ends flush with the wall behind it. The fireplace probably has its pipe running in the middle. Seen this way, it would protrude 7 cm on both sides beyond the chimney. Of course, you can visually widen the chimney and also make a correspondingly angled intermediate piece for the pipe. But placing this fireplace in front of a chimney of the same width—or even right up to it—looks like a staircase. There's a better way to do it.

He said he doesn't find it so bad if the fireplace is wider.

Well, he's right there. It even looks significantly better, according to pretty much all other fireplace owners.

The fireplace and house don't match. The house is already there, so fall in love with another fireplace.

Since we have a chimney and have already bought a fireplace that is 14 cm wider,

Wrong order—although: I also had the car radio before passing the driving test back then. It was a cool piece, and just on sale. The fireplace kit should be sellable without much loss in original packaging. Maybe even exchange it as a goodwill gesture.