Cracks under Steel Beam

[billm]

Sorry, I’ve lost track. Are these from your original SE, or are they from the builder’s SE?

Builders SE

 

[endecotp]

That drawing may be out of date as I measured that outermost beam when I was onsite as 180 x 200 and the one over the Bifolds I measured as 205 x 210 and the Double beams are 530 x 210

It’s all nonsense isn’t it. He says he has a SE, and the SE has produced a drawing (which noseall says shows surprisingly small steels), and then he has actually built something different from that. It all stinks of fraud. I don’t understand why you are still having anything to do with him.

 

[stevie888]

I'd suggest you step aside from blame-throwing, as you'll probably never resolve anything if you're dealing with cowboys as it appears.

How are you on the payments side? Have you paid for more or less work than has been done?

My approach would be to write to the builder to say the contract is terminated due to breach of contract by him, he has no further involvement and you won't be making any further payments. If he demands payment then invite him to sue, then you'd need to show up at the small claims court and prove that what he built wasn't fit for purpose, which shouldn't be difficult once you get it properly assessed. But in all likelihood you'll never hear from him again.

Find a decent SE and/or builder. Give them the freedom to decide what needs demolishing and what can stay and propose a solution.

Just concentrate on how to get the building itself resolved, leave the builder and his dodgy SE mate to find another mug to scam.

I generally agree with what you say Ivor, but the OP could be on shaky ground if he terminates the contract without good reason and that can only come from properly qualified peeps on the ground, not random keyboard warriors.

I also strongly believe that if cowboys go unreported they will just get worse. In particular if the (buider's) SE has behaved unprofessionally then believe me IStructE will want to know about it : they are a snooty bunch with high entry and professional standards.

 

[Koolpc]

The only way forward is to employ an independent SE to come in and do the calcs, investigate and give their report.....

And then, go from there.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Actually I'd hope that the builder is every bit as keen to get out of the hole he's dug as the homeowner. It sounds like he's way out of his depth, he's probably never built anything like it before, was winging it and he knows it. Just tell him to stay away for now while you get expert opinions. If he has any tools there then invite him to collect them at an arranged time.

Get a decent SE to do a blank sheet assessment of what's there. Don't bore them with all the contractual details and moaning about the builder. Just a case of here it is, decide what stays and what goes.

Then have a chat with the builder and suggest you both agree he can walk away, with you both owing each other nothing. Get an agreement in writing.

Then you know what needs doing and can find another builder.

 

[tony1851]

152mm x 152mm column spanning 10m!

I wondered about that: even under its own weight, deflection would be +10mm before anything was put on it.