Advice/recommendations for knocking down internal wall

Lj0918

We want to knock down the wall currently separating our kitchen and dining room and have a steel beam put in.

As I understand it we don't need planning permission but will require building regs approval. I've been told by Rotherham MBC that we should submit a building notice form and pay a (non-refundable) fee of £180, then we'll get a completion certificate once the work is complete to say it complies with building regs.

So I assume the above means one of their (council) structual engineers coming out to inspect? What about calculations for the steel beam - should a builder do that?

Sorry, admittedly a bit clueless and it doesn't help that we're also really struggling to find a local builder who will do this job!

So, is my understanding correct? AND if anyone happens to know any builders in the Rotherham/Sheffield area can you please recommend them because we want this doing ASAP :eek:
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Doozergirl

You need to employ a structural engineer to calculate the size of beam. Builders do not do it. The builder should know a structural engineer but you could very easily call your own SE now and present the calcs to the builder when you find one.

The person from the council is a building control officer, they are not a structural engineer but will check the size of beam in place matches the calculation and that it is fire protected.

madeinireland_2

I've just done this...

Building approval £216
Structural engineer £235
Builder £1700 but that included some other work including blocking up a door and changing another door round etc.