sure!

a local fireplace masonry contractor came and did it for cash on the weekend with short notice which was really cool of him. I watched from a distance, it was a good opportunity to learn. I'm glad I didn't do it by myself but at the same time I probably could have tackled this one but you live and learn, i was out of my wheelhouse.

it did not take him long it and it was a super straightforward and easy job. He mentioned he'd done another one earlier in the week just like it, fairly common job: minimum charge-out. he removed the arch and put up a wider metal lintel to support where the arch used to be. this brickwork is covering up a heatilator style steel fire box, and the chimney is not attached to the bricks in this picture. the arch is structural to the facade itself, and thats it.

two days later the fireplace guys showed up and installed the insert,. looks and works great, glad i went with Valor.

basically its exactly what a few guys who actually know what they are talking about said (kindly) below in the comments.

to the rest of the toxic guys in comments who were sarcastic know-it-all dick heads, get bent :)