During the selection of major structural options for the contruction
of a new home in New Jersey (Middlesex/Monmouth area), a error of
omission was made by the builder resulting in the incorrect selection
of a wood-burning fireplace (WBF) over a natural gas fireplace (NGF)
for a two-story family room.

Whereas the WBF option requires a flue and chimney to the roof, the
NGF only requires a much-shorter chimney and vent to the outside.  The
shorter chimney of the NGF allows for the installation of an Anderson
arch top picture window (approx. size 8?Wx6?H) about 12 feet directly
above the NGF (in the center of the wall on which the chimney would
run for a WBF installation).

By the time that this error was discovered, the house had been fully
framed out, the chimney (it is an exterior chimney) , flue, and WBF
installed, and the exterior wall and chimney vinyl sided.  The
interior wall remains unfinished.

Now that the error has been brought to the builder?s attention, its
project manager is claiming that a change from a WBF with full chimney
and no picture window to a NGF with short chimney and picture window
will be costly in terms of both time and money to rectify.  The
project manager states that the installed siding, chimney, flue,
fireplace, and wall framing will need to be removed, and that a new
chimney, flue, and fireplace will need to be installed.  Further, the
wall framing will have to be modified to accept the large picture
window above the new fireplace. Finally, the builder will need to
apply for a new or modified building permit for the home to reflect
the changes.

So as to assist me in the resolution of this matter, I would like
someone knowledgeable about new residential construction to provide a
rough estimate of:

the cost in materials and labor of removing the current WBF
installation and installing the NGF as described above;

the amount of time this work should take; and

the cost in time and money of acquiring a new or modified building
permit, whichever is needed.