Building Inspectors - LA or Private

iyiarz

I'm looking at removing a wall inside my house so I need to get a Structural Engineer and a Building inspector involved to work out if the wall is load bearing etc. It's concrete block but only on the ground floor and runs parallel with the joists but it could well need a beam as it may be supporting the floor above.

The problem I have is that I also have a small garden office that I didn't get planning or building regs for because from my pretty extensive research, it shouldn't be needed - but I don't want to tempt fate.

Would a private Building Inspector be best in this situation.. ? I'm fearful that a LA one might report something back where as a private one won't?

cyclonebri1

I'm unsure on this but if it's been there for 5 years with no complaints or question then it's fine, certainly something like that. Also depends on construction, ie, is it a temporary construction/summer house/conservatory etc.

Also there is every probability that your local authority has farmed out it's building control services, easy enough to check. To be honest I'd forget the past and get on with it, it was done over 5 years ago anyway wasn't it, ;);)

southcoastrgi

if you are just removing a wall internally & it's not load bearing you don't need a building inspector, if the wall is running with the joists above unless there is some kind of RSJ or lintal bearing on it then it's not load bearing, do you not have a good local builder that could look at it for you even a couple of hrs of his time will be alot cheaper than a structural engineer.

iamcornholio

The inspector, council or private, is not permitted to go mooching around the property

cyclonebri1

iamcornholio wrote: »

The inspector, council or private, is not permitted to go mooching around the property

Maybe so, but the last time I had an extension inspected all he wanted was access to as high a level as possible so that he could see any work being done in the neighbourhood :mad::mad::mad::D:D