Wall removal

timpenguin

Hi, sorry for the long story...

I am buying a property which had done a rear extension in 2018.  The extension involved the removal of both internal and external walls. The builder inserted a beam to support the structure.

The extension has obtained a building completion certificate signed off by a private builder. The certificate did not mention the wall removal. It only said that the work was an extension and was minor work. But my understanding the removal of load bearing wall is actually a structural work. 

I checked with the building control and they informed that they didn't have any information regarding the wall removal as the project was signed off by a private builder.

The seller could not comment on the removal of wall. Should I proceed the transaction?

Appreciated for any comment and advice. Thanks very much.

lincroft1710

I think you are right to be cautious. Without a proper Building Regs completion certificate I personally would walk away.

Section62

timpenguin said:

...
The extension has obtained a building completion certificate signed off by a private builder. The certificate did not mention the wall removal. It only said that the work was an extension and was minor work. But my understanding the removal of load bearing wall is actually a structural work. 

I checked with the building control and they informed that they didn't have any information regarding the wall removal as the project was signed off by a private builder.
...

Not uncommon for people to do the building regs for one thing, then do something else when the inspector has gone away.  The paperwork doesn't usually describe everything being done, but you'd expect some kind of reference to making a new/wider opening in an existing external wall.

The private building control service should be passing information on to the local authority, so the lack of information held by the council wouldn't be because a private contractor was used - it would either be that the paperwork hasn't been passed on, or it just doesn't mention the wall.

Unfortunately by contacting the council you now won't be able to go down the indemnity insurance route, although if structural work has been done without BC oversight then not having indemnity insurance isn't the biggest problem here.

Walking away is likely to be the right thing to do, unless you are really keen on this property.

grumpy_codger

timpenguin said:

The extension has obtained a building completion certificate signed off by a private builder.

I can be wrong, but I don't think that a 'builder' has authority to sign off any certificates. For this there is either building control or some special companies authorised to do this.

Albermarle

grumpy_codger said:

timpenguin said:

The extension has obtained a building completion certificate signed off by a private builder.

I can be wrong, but I don't think that a 'builder' has authority to sign off any certificates. For this there is either building control or some special companies authorised to do this.

Also what I was thinking.