Support pillar

[Jaffar83]

We are in the process of buying a 300 year old cottage and there is a vertical pillar supporting what I presume is beam or RSJ.
Would it be possible to replace the beam/RSJ and do away with the support pillar? Please see attached pic.

Obviously understand it will need a structural survey but just interested in people opinions and experiences.
Thanks in advance

 

[tony1851]

It's probably a timber beam, as a steel beam that size would not need a central support.
Straightforward job to remove the post and beam and replace with a steel beam.
What section size of steel beam you would need depends on the span of the floor, and if it is carrying any wall upstairs. Quite possibly, a 203 mm deep steel beam would do.

 

[^woody^]

It's there for a reason.

But ultimately, anything is possible if you throw lots of money at it.