OTT Building Control

Stevie1

:mad: First visit this morning, to advise our contractors on the building of the extension. The guy, who we were told is the worst in the council, has already identified some things he wants changing:

• Confusingly he is happy with the existing foundations at the back but want them digging a further 0.70cm (?)
• Need to move gas meter (£1000 for Transco), was in a garage that is being replaced with another garage
• Underpin the whole side of the house as original foundations aren't deep enough (?? the house is solid, no movement whatsoever AND we're only having a single storey extension!)

I can see him pulling us up on e-v-e-r-y little thing in this project costing us a fortune in time and extra work. Is there a way to find out if his demands are reasonable and as per the regulation, or are we doomed to be his b*$%#es until we signs the certificate off?

MX5huggy

You don't have to use the Local council BCO's look up private BCO's in your area.

I was luckly my pain in the butt BCO does not work Fridays, funny how I always ring for an inspection on a Thursday.

robv_3

Stevie1 wrote: »

• Confusingly he is happy with the existing foundations at the back but want them digging a further 0.70cm (?)

Not sure by your description what is being asked? 0.7 meters longer? Anyway see answer below.

Stevie1 wrote: »

• Need to move gas meter (£1000 for Transco), was in a garage that is being replaced with another garage

If where the existing meter is located is changing its very likely it will need to be disconnected and later reconnected. This can only be done by an approved contractor and not limited to transco.

Stevie1 wrote: »

• Underpin the whole side of the house as original foundations aren't deep enough (?? the house is solid, no movement whatsoever AND we're only having a single storey extension!)

If the BCO wants deeper foundations then they will need to be made deeper. The only way to avoid this is by supplying data showing they are sufficient which normally involve ground surveys and structural engineers.

Remember the BCO is your friend, don't unset him.

Stevie1

OK, thanks for that. I never knew you can have a private BCO. I suspect it is too late now anyway...

I have another question, is there any body out there with good knowledge of the Party Wall Act?

Stevie1

robv wrote: »

If where the existing meter is located is changing its very likely it will need to be disconnected and later reconnected. This can only be done by an approved contractor and not limited to transco.

The meter is under the stairs located at the gable end of the house, its gas pipe is going on the outside of the wall along it then into the ground to the mains. There was a lean-to garage there, now demolished. Because there will be a door from the new garage to a part of the house, we need to move the pipe, and hence the meter. Only Transco move gas supply AFAIK.

robv wrote: »

If the BCO wants deeper foundations then they will need to be made deeper. The only way to avoid this is by supplying data showing they are sufficient which normally involve ground surveys and structural engineers.

The house was build in the very late 40s/early 50s, bought by original owners in 1951 I think. We had a full building survey, there is no movement or slippage at all. The foundations are the original ones. Only the regs. have changed.

Stevie1

OK, I "slightly" panicked
He's been again today and is meeting our Architect on site (our home!) tomorrow to discuss things further. We have a couple of little unexpected issues to resolve but I don't think anything major.

Our biggest problem is next door's extension which is structurally unsafe and no one (i.e. council) can do a thing about it. It is owned by a company who rents it out and I am not sure if they'll be interested in remedying it, but they will have to at some point, they have been trying to sell the house (but have given up in the meantime).

I think I need this house cleansed from negative enrgy, it has not been an easy ride...