Our situation is this:
• 50-year old house (brick)
• 40-year old 2nd storey extension (weatherboard)
• concrete stumps
• diagonal cracks on level 1, some doors getting hard to close
Due to the age and history of extension, we want to be safe, get everything checked and fixed. But new to this and unsure what professionals to engage. Think there's about 3 we might need, but unsure if there's overlap and also how to find good ones especially with prior bad experiences... what criteria should we use when searching for:
1) Building Inspector - perform general inspection and identify overlooked issues?
2) Structural Engineer - identify and design solution to structural issues?
3) Builder - actually carry out the works?
Is there also a rough price range of what to expect? Many thanks for any advice and recommendations.
Cracks on vertically extended house - where to start? (VIC)
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Building inspector expertise is generally limited to compliance of new homes
Structural engineer expertise is generally limited to structures and not necessarily houses
What you need is a good building consultant with high end qualifications and building expertise that has inspected thousands of homes and has probably seen your type of problem before.
There are many possible reasons for house failure and commonly they have to do with drainage and or lack of building maintenance
It is important to correctly diagnose the cause of the foundation instability and if the fix requires underpinning then an engineer will be required.
Your last need is a builder experienced in repair of damaged dwellings.
Structural engineer expertise is generally limited to structures and not necessarily houses
What you need is a good building consultant with high end qualifications and building expertise that has inspected thousands of homes and has probably seen your type of problem before.
There are many possible reasons for house failure and commonly they have to do with drainage and or lack of building maintenance
It is important to correctly diagnose the cause of the foundation instability and if the fix requires underpinning then an engineer will be required.
Your last need is a builder experienced in repair of damaged dwellings.
Hey orp23 Welcome to the forum
If you can get 50 years out of a house with limited maintenance and repairs then consider yourself lucky.
Structural repairs will require Council approvals and engineers certifications.
Budget on 3-5 times the original cost for that element + Accessibility +Demolition
Ask the structural engineer to show you the 3D Bim details, data/proofs so you will understand what's involved.
Avoid unqualified trades spruiking cheap quick fix options, if the council inspects it and it's non compliant, you'll be pulling it down.
Try putting photos up. The
better the info the better the reply + it helps others
Cheers
Chris
If you can get 50 years out of a house with limited maintenance and repairs then consider yourself lucky.
Structural repairs will require Council approvals and engineers certifications.
Budget on 3-5 times the original cost for that element + Accessibility +Demolition
Ask the structural engineer to show you the 3D Bim details, data/proofs so you will understand what's involved.
Avoid unqualified trades spruiking cheap quick fix options, if the council inspects it and it's non compliant, you'll be pulling it down.
Try putting photos up. The
better the info the better the reply + it helps others
Cheers
Chris
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