Cracks under Steel Beam

[billm]

I haven't seen the quote but I don't think it does. BC are coming out tomorrow to inspect the roof so while there I will ask their opinion of the steel beams and ask if they ever received the new Structural Calcs from the builders engineer and signed them off.

If BC never received them from the builder, can they ask him directly for the calcs and then we / BC have something to compare with what he built.

It could be the calcs are correct but the builder cut corners or it could be the calcs are on the back of a fag packet as it's his mate and he built it "from experience" as he went along. AFAIK my son has never seen the builders structural calcs only his own that BC signed off well before a builder was even commissioned.

 

[mrrusty]

The builder did not use my son's Structural engineer and specs as he said his guy knows better

What the builder may not realise is that by doing this he has transferred contractual design responsibility from you to him. If he uses your SE, then you, through your SE have design responsibility, and the builder can wash his hands if he follows your design and it is wrong. By using his SE, he has now taken on the design responsibility with all the liability that goes with it. Hope his insurance is good!

In construction contracts, determining where design responsibility sits in the contract is one of the most crucial decisions. It is why I am a huge fan of design and build because it puts all the design responsibility in one pot rather than spread across both the contractor and the client and his advisers.

This was a very useful tool in my armoury negotiating specifications in my past life. Faced with a customer insisting something was done his way, when as a specialist supplier I disagreed, I often used this; "that's fine Mr Customer, I agree, we'll do it your way. Could you just send me a note recording this decision and that you accept the transfer of design responsibility going forward". often followed by a rapid backtrack.

 

[Kelvintavarez]

I wouldn’t ignore cracks appearing beneath padstones, especially when there is already a temporary Acrow support in place. Since these are supporting steel beams, I’d want the structural engineer or building-control inspector to assess the cracks and confirm the bearing/support arrangement before the work continues. The fact that the first issue has been left for two months makes it worth getting a clear written explanation and repair plan from the contractor. I definitely wouldn’t try to repair or remove the temporary support yourself.

 

[Koolpc]

Keep us updated. Hope it works out for you...

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Have you seen any evidence of the builder's structural engineer being qualified or even existing?

I'm guessing that he just chucked it up how he felt like it. Nobody would have designed it this way.

Halt the job and get it rectified. I'd have doubts about him carrying on, giving the workmanship and attitude shown so far.