What trade do I need?

[atmosfia]

I have a standard semi-detached. The lounge and the bedroom above have a square bay. The bedroom has five narrow windows, (one each side and three facing the garden). There are four sort of pillars separating the windows, one in each corner and two at the front. I want to know if the two at the front can be removed so I can have one big window instead of three small ones.

So my question is who do I ask?
Do I ask and architect, a builder, a glazier or a surveyor of some sort? I have never had any work done before so I am clueless. Can someone point me in the right direction please?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Photos?

 

[23vc]

Reputable local window company, if I'm reading your post correctly you just want a new bay window installed with a different pane layout

 

[John D v2.0]

Yes basically depends if the pillars are structural or not. If not a window fitter, if so an se or a good builder

 

[^woody^]

You will need either a structural engineer or a building surveyor competant to comment on structural matters.

A window fitter wont have a clue.

 

[tony1851]

You really need to show pics of the exterior to get any meaningful response.

 

[23vc]

Ignore my earlier response, totally misunderstood the description having now seen the pics

 

[wessex101]

External photo of the property would be helpful. Its looks quite distinctive with those solid mullions and old crittal windows, are you sure a large picture window wouldn't look out of place?

But as others have said structural engineer or good building surveyor/designer is what you need.

 

[John D v2.0]

Yes now seeing the photos they are clearly structural and if they're supporting anything significant above probably expensive to remove. Think in the order of quite a few thousands but not multiple tens of thousands. Then you need a new window.

 

[atmosfia]

Thank you everyone for your replies. That has been really helpful.

I see what you mean Wessex. Actually what I wanted to do was have a Juliet balcony and have French windows opening inwards. Maybe Crittal style but will probably go for PVC if its cheaper but not too chunky. I welcome your thoughts.

 

[noseall]

Actually what I wanted to do was have a Juliet balcony

JB's are a pain from start to finish. The main issue is proving the fixings, fixing details and their pull-out strength and getting this information to Building Control.
Once a structural engineer (or similar) has done this, someone then has the unenviable task of trying to drill more than 8 different holes successfully, locating all 8 threaded bar pieces square in the holes whilst preventing semi-liquid resin from gunking up the thread.

We have done a few now and they are a nightmare in perf' or frogged bricks. You may locate at least one or two of the drilling points favourably but some will be in lousy positions.

If you are wondering whether the balcony supplier will provide fixing details - it's just a myth.

 

[garyo]

JB's are a pain from start to finish. The main issue is proving the fixings, fixing details and their pull-out strength and getting this information to Building Control.

Interesting. I have one on my full plans submission and it hasn't raised any concern yet. I've not really worked out what I'm doing, but I'm surprised that the off-the-shelf balconies all seem to rely on pull-out strength of fixings fitted in to the face of the masonry rather than being built in to the reveals to rely on shear strength. I can see that a block will be susceptible to rotation if the balcony is fixed in to the reveal, but relying on pull-out strength doesn't feel right to me.

 

[noseall]

Interesting. I have one on my full plans submission and it hasn't raised any concern yet. I've not really worked out what I'm doing, but I'm surprised that the off-the-shelf balconies all seem to rely on pull-out strength of fixings fitted in to the face of the masonry rather than being built in to the reveals to rely on shear strength. I can see that a block will be susceptible to rotation if the balcony is fixed in to the reveal, but relying on pull-out strength doesn't feel right to me.

I include a disclaimer on quotes regarding JB's simply because of the time and effort factor. The resin fellas (we used the Hilti two part mix) are pretty good. You have to vacuum the holes out and follow the instructions to the letter. Oh, and you have to be quick depending on the resin.

Nightmare from start to finish.