What do we do when we can't get a builder?

JMartin

We moved into our house last year and knew we had a load of work to do but were assured finding a builder would be no problem.

Well, we found several builders but none of them want to do the work. We've contacted the local guy, the not so local guy and national firms, none of whom want the work.

What can we do?

The sandstone lintel on the ground floor is broken and the wall has sagged into the crack. Obviously, we'll lose our house if this doesn't get fixed but how can we get a builder to even come and look at the job?

Anybody got any cunning tips or ideas or contacts?

McAzrael

Look for a stonemason rather than a builder.

nomorec

until you get a profesional to check it out if you are very worried it will collapse you could hire acro props and steel plates called strong boys the strong boys fit on the acro props you then fit them under your lintol and wind the prop up till it tightens this will take the strain if the ground is soft you would have to put wood under the prop as the feet are only about 5" square hope this helps, good luck

Debt_Free_Chick

Perhaps you should get advice from a structural engineer - he will then have the relevant contacts and they might be more likely to take the work on, under the engineer's supervision.

JMartin

Thanks for all your replies.

After I posted this yesterday a builder called me back to arrange a time to come and have a look...must have builder ESP:D

We'd already tried the stonemasons in the area...nobody called us back

Good point about a structural engineer. We had considered appointing an architect for the same reason but I guess a structural engineer would be more sensible as they will be able to accurately diagnose the problems too.

nomorec,

Would we be able to get the strong boys under the lintel ok? It seems to be connected to the window below. I'll have a look at them...I take it we can get them from HSS or the suchlike?

The guy that called me yesterday sounded quite positive so here's hoping he's not another builder who promises to look and has no intention of doing the work. He's sending his foreman out the week after next to see if their Helifix system of fixing cracks can be applied in our situation.