Building Control gave "OK" to Lintel during mid-building inspection but now won't issue Certicate

[bombata]

Hello,

back in 2014 we gave building control notice that we were going to open up an existing window opening and create a new one.

Being complete building novices - we read up and saw that we need to get the approval of building control. (I was never happy with the building work but that is another story). He builder added concrete lintels above each opening. They were not the required 15 cm either way but the the building control guy who came round said it all looked fine - and we should proceed. So we took his word and got the window company to install a new patio door & window.

Fast forward 3 years later they said they would come around to do the final inspection. Now they said the lintels are not according to building regulations. Our argument is that they came round to inspect the work half way - at a point where the problem could easily been rectified. We paid them £350 for their expertise - and only now they point this out to us?!?

We will argue that we only proceeded once we got the ok from them and they should not punish us for the short comings of their staff. I am expecting my second baby next week and feel very stressed about this. Does anyone have any advise?

 

[Scot Lester]

Did you get it in writing at the time of the mid inspection?

 

[Doggit]

Ask for a second opinion, and if they still refuse, then wait till the baby's a bit older, and install a longer lintel. Unfortunately, you haven't paid them £350 for their expertise, but for their approval.

 

[wessex101]

The good news is after 3 years Building Control won't take any action so you can just forget about it for now and concentrate on more important things like your new baby.

The bad news, assuming the photo is the doorway in question, that truly is a terrible job, your argument should be with your cowboy builder not Building Control. The bearing on the right is too short and the bearing on the left seems to have an old air brick or boiler flue that has been poorly filled directly below it. The brickwork reveals/edges down the door frame appear to be all over the place. It begs the question why you didn't get Building Control in to sign it off before you paid the builder rather than 3 years later.

You have very little come back against Building Control as they have very limited liability in this sort of situation, their job is to inspect building work for compliance with the Building Regulations not undertake quality control to protect consumers from cowboys. Much like the Police are there to enforce the law not to give legal advice. They have fulfilled their obligation by now telling you it does not comply. If you feel that Building Control have caused you a financial loss you can try lodging a complaint with the Local Government Ombudsman but I don't rate your chances.

 

[tony1851]

The workmanship does indeed look rubbish, but I would question that it does not comply structurally. It's a 140 deep lintel which is OK for that span; the bearing on the right is a little shorter than would be expected, but could be proved adequate with some number crunching.
As per Wessex, why the bother? Are you selling the house? - if not, let the matter drop, at least for the time being.

 

[^woody^]

not the required 15 cm either way

There is no such thing as a required15cm either way.

The lintel manufacturer can provide you with the minimum bearing requirements for their products, and this is almost always less than 150mm for standard loading.

 

[Doggit]

Is it the vent on the right hand side that's partially the issue, and would he accept it being centralised with the vent being bricked up and moved; you'd support the upper courses with a strong boy, use and angle grinder to take out the mortar course above the lintel, shift it along, and then resettle everything. Post a picture from inside so we can see the position of the vent, and see where it can go.

It doesn't look good, and will need dealing with before you sell the house otherwise that would cause as many issues as the lack of a certificate.