Advice required

[andysmaz]

Hi everyone. I have a house with a downstairs extension, but the original corner of the house is still in the middle of the kitchen supporting all above it. It is a huge square pillar and I want to have more space in the kitchen. To remove it will cost an exorbitant amount, so does anyone know of any strong, perhaps metal, supports that could be a lot smaller, but still support the weight above? If so are there any websites around that could help me out?
Cheers

 

[Diyisfun]

You will need a structural surveyer, calculations will be required, no doubt it will also have to be passed by your council.

 

[Shytalkz]

It may be possible to get rid of the support completely, by introducing new support steels at first floor level.

This possibility depends on loads to the beams, span requirements, capability of ground floor walls to accept load. The advantage of this would be to free up circulation space that is otherwise lost, either with a brick pier, or a smaller steel post.

Phone a local structural engineer (not a surveyor, they get confused by structural design ) to come round and give you a look and a price for the design; expect a fee in the region of £350 to £600 plus VAT for visit/measure up/calcs/sketch details.

If you've got an accurate set of plans for the structure as-is, then you'll save on the price of a visit and measure-up, fee between £200 and £350 plus VAT say, depending on complexity.

As it's structural work, it will need BRegs approval.

 

[Diyisfun]

I ment Engineer..

 

[andysmaz]

Cheers guys!