We are in the negotiation process of buying a home that has a fireplace with a damaged firebox. This was determined by our chimney inspector. The seller has told us that he is only willing to put in a wood burning insert. Which is fine with us as long as it is a safe option. His statement included that he would get the necessary permits and approvals to get this done.

How can I know that this is a safe option? Would a building inspector determine if this is a safe option? Would it depend upon how badly the firebox is damaged to determine if this a feasible option to replacing the firebox?

Thanks for your help, we are first time buyers and only learned about two weeks ago what a firebox even is!!

Find out if the local building department will be inspecting the job. They shouldn't approve it unless it is safe. No job is safe if not done right.

Have you considered having a mason give you an estimate to repair the damaged firebox? It could actually be chaeper and better than an insert. I'd give it some thought.

That is what the inspectors are for, the builder must be within code to pass, so if it is being inspected , yes it will be safe