You may be able to do some of the restoration work to an existing fireplace if you've got the ability needed, however there is always a problem in finding safety and structural problems which need to be resolved professionally. It might be that in order to get a fire burning in your fireplace once more you need nothing more than a good clean of the hearth and a visit from a chimney sweep. It's much more likely that you'll come across old brickwork that requires structural modifications and a stopped up flue.