Fist step was to remove the brick face and raised hearth. A 2" cold chisel and 3lb sledge easilly separated the brick from the mortar and did not make too much of a mess in the room. Took 3 full weekends to get it all cleaned out with everone (wife and kids) helping haul out the debris in buckets. Its winter so the fireplace opening is covered in plastic to keep the draft down.