Sophiae

Yes. I am trying to save myself from getting a stroke or a heart attack or even diabetes as a result of all the stress these last 2 weeks have had on me. I feel so sad 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Thank you so much for a much needed sound advice. Unfortunately I don’t have many people to discuss this with as I live alone with my Autistic child. We are both Autistic and I have issues opening up to people. I am here seeking a family and a village to learn from, open discussion and take sound practical advice, people with experience in this building field. My family abroad sort of blame me for taking on such a project as they didn’t believe we need it. Unfortunately they also don’t want to accept that me and my son have needs and couldn’t possibly function in the old layout safely. Till now I haven’t directly blamed the builders for anything except given them some feedback about the lack of spotting the design fault, where all of this could have been rectified with a new design from the SE or a new one. I haven’t made a big deal of it because again it’s not their fault or design, they are simply fitters in a way. The SE has just rejected the padstone made on site, saying he can’t guarantee the quality of blocks underneath it (the original wall) and wants the builders to rebuild it with N7 blocks instead and using a lintel at the end. Previously he has approved it and after I questioned his choice of Precast padstone 800mm, and the fact that it isn’t something available, he changed his mind and as a retaliation, he asked those to be knocked down and rebuilt.

Everyone is insured, the SE and the builders, why would there be worry if everyone did their job right?

Yes but isn’t this way too much even for that?

I am starting to believe that because I am a single female with no Male in the picture everyone feels it’s ok, I don’t understand, I won’t argue. You’d think the builders would have spotted it before hand, but they didn’t and when he did, the Beam was already at the property ready to be fitted with 5 guys struggling to move it around. So how do we move forward from here?

That’s exactly it. Spot on. There was no communication whatsoever, no options were given. He delivered it and took his money and that’s all. No explanation of the details, what will happen or alternatives.

My problem is mostly the other beam (1).

I had a whole week of negotiations and arguments. He promised to take all of it down and rebuild to specs using another set of builders with building regs on top of things before they leave site again. He said I will not be charged for any of it.

You are absolutely. All of this will be knocked down and rebuilt from ground up. The foundation was the only thing that’s passed.

I am in a very tight and extremely frustrating situation. A reputable structural engineer was assigned to design and calculate replace a load bearing wall with steel beam along with another beam for the new wall to hold the bifold doors. Once the beam arrived the builders were shocked at the size and weight of it. They said it was definitely over specked. The SE stood by his design and the beam was fitted as he is the expert. Unfortunately it left us with only 190cms room height below the beam. i was beyond furious and spoke to him immediately. He blamed it on the builders for not spotting the width of it in the design and said there were alternatives but he wasn’t responsible for anything else as he gave me what he said a design fit for my budget. He offered to give me a different design but I would have to pay for full replacement. I lost my cool and he came with another solution and removed an extra piece of timber support that gave us another 7cms in room height. I obviously was still extremely sad, frustrated and to be frank angry that I wasn’t presented with any options from the word go. I fed back to him about his communication with me and the lack of understanding of the situation we’re in. The builders quoted me anothe £3K to remove this beam and install a new one should I choose to. Another issue was his Padstone size which doesn’t make sense (800mm)!!! I know I am the furthest from the field or understanding all of it, but why is everything so big for a rear extension to a detached single story bungalow. I understand that clear span opening I asked for to be as wide as it could possibly be, so the steel has to be strong, but weighing nearly 600Kgs for an under 6m clean span? Seriously? anyone here able to have a look and tell me honestly what is going on? i put everything on hold till I get a new quote from a couple of SE I contacted but it’s the weekend and I can’t sleep from overthinking. Beams 1&2.pdf

I haven’t done the build up yet. It’s still in the design phase.

old video but showing what I mean about anchoring them in. The VCL is only few millimetres, they need a couple of cms in to fit.

They way I watched the guys installing on numerous videos, appears to be piercing the PIR boards to anchor the pipes tight.

Yes may be self seal the VCL but they all pierce the insulation boards. Defo insulation below UFH, just above or below concrete base?

Hello family, What do you all feel/believe or think about UFH pipe clips that go on top of the insulation boards VCL, essentially piercing them? Any one with an experience of it going good or bad? I am confused between placing the insulation boards on top and cover with screed, or bottom and cover with concrete.

What you’re seeing is the left over from last year’s mess. There is a DPC but it’s not shown in the pictures. This is going to be addressed again once the decision is made regarding the utility room.

Here are the pictures from reality. The kitchen has always been destined to lie on the right hand side due to ease of plumbing and it is the longest wall to the right. I know there is a lot of open space which is why I figured the utility behind the kitchen (to the right) is best located. Ditching the utility appears to be a good working solution. Now we just need to figure out dishwasher or not as it doesn’t have a place in the existing kitchen so that a fridge freezer can sit on either walls. Everything given. I am not sure I am making any sense.

Thank you. The wall was never built as there is no yet. The engineer made his design based on that. The other wall 110cm to the right is a supporting one to the beam.

Exactly. I’ll make the cupboard you suggested ready, if I decided to add a dryer, the space would be ready.

Ignore the measurements for now till I get the exact ones. But here is what came out with lots of shuffling.

See what I mean. You people are awesome and game me a big smile on my extremely tired face. Thank you @@saveasteading @joe90 @Jilly @ETC for all your thoughts and efforts. Steel beam will sit on both 110cm walls on the right and left, so neither can go. yes I can open a door from outside to the utility however that would mean going around and outside every time I need to access something. The kitchen has already been bought and in storage since last year. The old project manager was in a rush so unfortunately it was done. I have to work with what I have. All ideas are good and have thoughts in them, so the final verdict is tomorrow morning when I receive the actual mm figures from the builders. Regrettably I will lose the utility room. It won’t work unless miraculously the space won’t be too small between the kitchen and living, which is looking as is. Instead, the 3m length of the kitchen will sit either on the wall to the right (looking into the garden) or the wall to the front (looking to the garden next to the bifolds), depending on how the layout looks like on 3D viewing. The 2m island will sit opposite it which ever way. It is narrow (60cm) so won’t be too much in the way. Depending on the 3m, we can then add some extra units to house the dishwasher (undecided), ingerated freezer, vacuum cleaner, cleaning supplies/ extra storage for all my pantry items. The washing machine +/- dryer (undecided) can be housed in the main bathroom as it is a good size and there is room. i will try and get a drawing up for your eyes to see.

Thank you soooooo much @joe90. I wouldn’t have turned to people here if I didn’t trust their opinions. For years I’ve used forums for their wisdom and wealth and generosity of knowledge. My work is all about evidence based practice but my customers come first and they have to be onboard plans when they involve any long term issues. i totally agree, both the Architect and the Project manager unfortunately just wanted to give me the biggest space ignoring my request of having a functional utility that was designed to function well with my needs. I am hoping by tonight I would be able to share my new visions of this area’s layout and see if it can be translated into reality. Luckily the builders are ok with me stalling for the next 2 days till I make up my mind. I am praying for the miracle of clarity.

Lol. Well the design works for us in most places, as doors and obstacles are big hazards that make us take trip to A&E quite often.

I am but equally some experts advise is the one that got me where I am now.

Yes though I would have liked the 2 bedrooms to be slightly bigger but over all happy. It is just the utility that’s now the problem. planning and building regs approved.