Structural Engineer - Should We Pay?!

maggies2008

We paid a structural engineer £510 last October to do a survey and drawings and report for a steel beam and velux windows (where the roofing joists would not be cut) as part of our building warrant application.

Work has started on the house and the builder has found that the wall the steel beam was to sit on is not on a foundation just on a concrete floor that is going to be dug up and therefore not suitable for this beam.

I contacted the engineer who very promptly provided us with a drawing for a steel post for the beam to sit on - and a further bill for £220! He is also claiming for time where he had to confirm the size of a lintel for a new doorway earlier this year (and his response was same size as another doorway) - as it turns out a lintel isn't even needed for said doorway!

At the time of the engineers visit the wall was exposed as all of stud walls and ceiling had been removed, so with a little bit of investigation surely he could have easily found out the wall wasn't on a foundation - and isn't it his job to check these things before providing drawings?

I haven't contacted him yet but just wondered if I'm being unreasonable in saying that this is something he should have done in the first place!

All opinions appreciated!

verydeeppockets

If he didn't do the original inspection equipped with his x-ray specs, I'm guessing there's no way he could have known what was under the floor.
If you or the builder could tell, before digging/demolition started, then the SE is at fault. If it was impossible to tell, tough. But maybe negotiate with him and see if you can meet on middle ground.
Incidentally, I'd be prepared to bet a large chunk of his fee is insurance, to protect against problems on those jobs he does without those special glasses

teneighty

Given the limited information available I would say it appears that the engineer has made a mistake. However, knowing how cautious engineers normally are and would be unlikely to make such a basic error, I would refer you to my last paragraph.

If the existing internal support wall was just built off the floor slab it would suggest it was never intended to be a loadbearing wall (unless it is a special reinforced floor slab). The usual way to determine if an existing wall is loadbearing is if it already supports structures above such as floors, walls, roof etc. You should never just assume a wall is loadbearing and could take the end bearing of the new beam. If he was unable to determine the loadbearing walls from his survey he should have reported back to you suggesting further investigations.

If this is the case, not only would I be refusing to pay his bill for £220 I would be suggesting he refund part of the original £510 to cover the delay and additional expence you have incurred due to his error.

On the other hand, if the wall appeared to be loadbearing on his inspection and was alreading supporting structures above but it turned out that the original builder had made a mistake and omitted the foundation then the engineer is in the clear. But I would have expected the engineer to have mentioned this as it would be a very unusual situation.

Good Luck