Structural advice please

JennyW_2

We are planning to remove an internal supporting wall to open up our kitchen/lounge.
We've submitted our building notice application but were wondering what size support beam/RSJ would be required?

The length of wall to be removed is approx 6ft.

Tallymanjohn

If you've submitted your application, surely you'd have had to state the size of support you're using? If you're not too sure then you must get a qualified structural engineer to advise you & sign for it appropriately as if it goes wrong in the future you could be in all sorts of problems.

JennyW_2

oh yes, we were advised to get the opinion of a structural engineer. We were just talking about it last night and just wondering what size beam would be inserted.

Wig

I once asked a structural Engineer about beam size, he told me he would be too expensive for me, He probably told me just to trust my builder. Or ask at the yard who sell RSJs.

lush_walrus

If you are dealing with the changes under building notice then it is fine to not know the size of beam (RSJs do not exist anymore) you require now and the contractor will deal with it. However, if I were you unless you know a builder you can really trust I would definately get a structural engineer on board. It wont cost a huge amount and you will know that the beam is correct for the load and that your existing foundations are sufficient. If the foundations as existing are not able to take the load or the beam can not connect into the existing walls sufficiently then the engineer will suggest a sort of goal post that will sit on new foundations.

Structural engineer's rates vary according to the size of the company hugely. So try to find a small independant engineer and the costs will be low as the work is pretty straight forward and quick for them.

The other thing to remember is that if you are a terraced or semi detached house and it will effect the party wall (ie: the wall joining your property to yur neighbour) then you will need to get a party wall surveyor and give notice to your neighbour under the party wall etc act.

tawnyowls

I second that - it's well worth having a structural engineer to check and sign it off. Your builder should really have suggested that to you. When we came to sell our last house, the buyer's solicitor asked for the engineer's report from the wall we'd taken down 8 years previously, although you'd think if the house hadn't fallen down at that stage, it was pretty safe! Even so, it definitely made the house sale a lot more straightforward. I think it cost us under £100 for the engineer at that stage, so wouldn't think it would be more than double that now, and money well spent.