Wonky Floor - New Joist Work Requiured - Advice Needed

TopGunner1978

Hi All,

I bought my house about 2 years & we new there was a slight slope in our spare room but nothing was highlighted within our Homebuyers survey so didn't worry about it.

Now we have come to the pint to having it looked at & the joists have been cut into for pipe work & cabling in a very non standard fashion.

I've had a builders come in to quote me £2.5-3K to put right as it will mean taking out the ceiling below (to which I've had re-plastered) & lay new joists, new ceiling, etc etc.

I'm going to see where I stand with my survey but in the meantime does anyone have any advice?

Thanks.

ormus

get the job done and then argue over the money with the surveyor.
dont get your hopes up though. they tend to cover their backs ok. all sorts of legal get out clauses.
plus its over two years old now. they can argue that it was ok then.

i wouldnt bother with any legal process due to the fact that homeowners winning against surveyors is rarer than hens teeth.
and theres no guarantee that all your legal cost would be met.

phill99

By your own admission, you knew it was there. You can't argue that the surveyor should have picked it up and warn you when you knew all along. if you had asked the surveyor to look into it and then he said there was nothing wrong with it, then that wouild be a different story. Its about 'Caveat Emptor' ie Buyer beware. You knew about it and opted not to do anything about it at the time.

olias

Get a second, even third opinion and quote. Builder is obviously suggesting replacing the whole floor. It may be that the existing joists can be strengthened by 'doubling up' on them or otherwise attaching a strengthening plate or similar. There would have to be a heck of a lot chopped out to warrant replacing the whole floor IMO.

Olias

TopGunner1978

Thanks for your input guys.

paddy.maguire

I am a bit unsure here about the problem, has the problem worsened over the last 2 yrs or is it the same as it was before? How much is the floor out by? How old is the house. If it hasnt worsened, is out by nothing too significant and your house is relatively old then just live with it. If you cant live with it and its not worsened then lose it by layering hardboard/4mm ply to adjust the discrepancies. If its worsened then you need to find out why. Give up on pursuing surveyor as its pointless and you knew of the issue.