Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Feb 18, 2017 1:51 pm Hi All. Names Marv and Im a first time poster here. Spent hours here reading others topics, which is always a good read. Anyways heres the job that needs doing, I'm still getting quotes as I'm having a heap of mixed ideas from builders giving quotes. I'm sure a structural engineer is the ultimate way to go, but at this stage is not an option. (all builders say not necessary and added cost) House is your bog standard 70's high set brick and tile 3 bedder. Bedrooms upstairs garage underneath. All hardwood timber bearers and sitting on 3" round steel posts, bolted to the slab (slab is in good nick no cracks or movement anywhere). I want to remove 1 post which is slap bang in the middle of the area downstairs. Span is around 6.3m, and post sits right in the middle of the 6.3m span. One end of bearer on brick peer the other end on timber framework. Now I have had options so far as all can be done with 1 x 230mm pfc bolted to existing bearer with 3" steel posts added at each end (take out brick peer and timber frame). 2 x 150mm pfc bolted back to back (sandwich existing bearer in the middle with 4" steel posts supporting. I like this one because it maintains headroom Another said bolt 2 x 250mm box steel beams right through with new brick peers put in. One builder said to bolt a 300mm pfc stright the the timber bearer and leave the existing supports..... Last one said prop remove timber bearer and replace with 170mm steel UB on existing supports. I would imagine new steel supports would be the go as the weight will be transferred down through these to the slab Any help to clear up what is needed would be a fantastic help. Because all the builders seem to have such different ideas on what is acceptable. Re: Removal of structural post 4Feb 19, 2017 3:44 pm Hopefully some more knowledgable people will be around to answer that. Or you could ring one up I've seen pics here of steel beams not even made long enough to reach the support. Not sure how that ended up. Trust but verify is my motto. Re: Removal of structural post 6Feb 20, 2017 2:55 pm No builder has mentioned building permit at this stage. I asked if council needs notifying, all say not for this type of thing. Is there any engineering brains here to guide which builders idea seems the best? Re: Removal of structural post 7Feb 20, 2017 3:28 pm We put in a huge front window in another house - removed the entire front wall - virtually. We did have plans approved. They put in this huge RSJ. Not that easy and bloody heavy. Apparently they felt it was stronger after than before. The glass also had a "plinth" installed as it was needed for strength and insurance purposes. I'd get the quotes but not necessarily go for the cheapest or the ones who "get around" approvals. Re: Removal of structural post 8Feb 20, 2017 3:51 pm Yeah cheapest one so far just wanted to steal a 250mm pfc to existing timber bearer and remove the post in the centre. Not sure if that's the best option. Will question a few on building permits for the work Re: Removal of structural post 9Feb 20, 2017 4:48 pm Marvin, It is removal of a structural element of your house,and a modification to an existing support beam. Check with your council,or even google 'when is a building permit required' to enlighten yourself. You will find you need a licenced and registered builder to carry out this type of work. Any licenced builder doing this sort of work without firstly gaining approval is a fool,could lose his licence and be fined. Work of this nature requires engineering of the new support beam.Do you Know if there is any direct loading above that post you plan to remove?Are the footings below the end supports satisfactory to carry the extra load placed upon them?and on it goes.What happens if the new supports the so called builder has installed fail and can't hold the weight,or cracks develop,your house insurance is void. If you go to sell your place in the future,illegal building works may be disclosed. Try going back to the guy who did the work, he wouldn't have insurances in place because he didn't get a permit. 1/ Ask your person if they are licenced to do this type of work and sight their licence. 2/Don't go with a cowboy who says you don't need a permit. 3/ sleep easy knowing that everything is in order and your house is insured if anything should go wrong. Thats the best advise I can give you. By the way I am a licenced and registered builder. Good Luck. Re: Removal of structural post 11Feb 22, 2017 10:18 am Ok. Have found a lic. Insurered builder that will supply a building permit. So all ticks there. He has had an engineer advise him to use a 300mm UB due to the 6.3m span. Which will drop the headroom a bit too much. I have asked 2 smaller beams can be used to maintain headroom. He is going back to get word from the engineer. Any ideas of similar jobs done using 2 smaller beams instead of 1 larger beam? Assuming you've modelled the TB8, TB10, TB12, TB2 & J1 joists/LVLs there, it appears as per drawing to me. There maybe should be an additional J1 between TB10 and T12 if… 3 27687 interesting situation what happened after builder issued final invoice? did you list as defect or not does the building surveyor have any responsibility? ie. issuing… 13 39309 |