Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - removing brick from fireplace

We have a red brick fireplace that we are interested in updating with the marble tile/stucco look (more modern). How difficult is it to remove the brick from the wall or should we just plaster or tile over what is there? Who would I call if I wanted to hire someone to do this?

Removing the bricks is fairly easy. Cleaning the mess up afterwards, not causing any damage to the home and then performing any carpentry work that might need to be done will depended on your abilities.

Without looking at your fireplace, I really can't say yes or no as to just going over it. Most of the time it's possible.

For both cases, I'd say seek the advice of a professional first.

Try this web site to find someone:

http://www.hearthassoc.org

or

http://www.csia.org