Bizarre RSJ

[DavidO]

I’d be very interested in opinions on this RSJ in a botched half completed renovation which I’m considering? It looks like an old railway line to me? Whilst it appears to be supporting another RSJ which supports the floor above I’m questioning whether it was actually originally intended to tie the gable wall which it attaches to at the other end? But is it actually doing anything…or perhaps doing more harm than good because of its weight? 

[Bancroft]

How are you supposed to get upstairs?

 

Might be re-defining the term 'botched'!

[JohnMo]

Think you may need to install a staircase. If they have done that what have they done you don't see? Run away unless super cheap.

[saveasteading]

2 hours ago, JohnMo said:

what have they done you don't see?

Was my immediate thought too. To have got this far and not resolved this issue suggests that they have had advice they don't like, and want to pass this problem on.

presumably you think it is overvalued.

 

 

2 hours ago, JohnMo said:

Run away unless super cheap.

 

Not everything has a solution. You would need a site inspection by an SE before proceeding any further at all. They will rightly charge but you can ask them for a verbal overview to minimise  their charge at this stage.

Their overview may be that they can't possibly know without lots of research, so allow £xk for a more formal report and a very large contingency for the works.

Some SE's would love this as interest and others will keep clear.

 

The best advice to the seller would be to explain the issue in good faith and to open the beam up for inspection.

 

But first, ask the agent to explain it. They won't tell you the whole story of course. And then tell them this obviously needs an enormous reduction in the price and what will they drop to, or you won't be considering it.

 

My thought on what it is?  It looks like a barn. Farmers use whatever is available and this may have been a beam for an engine hoist. The builder has not used an SE, and expected to be able to remove it but been told not to.by the bco.

 

I'm intrigued. please report back.

If you do walk away, do please try to find out if it sells.

 

Another thought. Google the property and you may find the original sales advert as a barn for conversion, with some clues. and the planning portal is worth a try to.

[DavidO]

12 hours ago, saveasteading said:

Was my immediate thought too. To have got this far and not resolved this issue suggests that they have had advice they don't like, and want to pass this problem on.

presumably you think it is overvalued.

 

 

 

Not everything has a solution. You would need a site inspection by an SE before proceeding any further at all. They will rightly charge but you can ask them for a verbal overview to minimise  their charge at this stage.

Their overview may be that they can't possibly know without lots of research, so allow £xk for a more formal report and a very large contingency for the works.

Some SE's would love this as interest and others will keep clear.

 

The best advice to the seller would be to explain the issue in good faith and to open the beam up for inspection.

 

But first, ask the agent to explain it. They won't tell you the whole story of course. And then tell them this obviously needs an enormous reduction in the price and what will they drop to, or you won't be considering it.

 

My thought on what it is?  It looks like a barn. Farmers use whatever is available and this may have been a beam for an engine hoist. The builder has not used an SE, and expected to be able to remove it but been told not to.by the bco.

 

I'm intrigued. please report back.

If you do walk away, do please try to find out if it sells.

 

Another thought. Google the property and you may find the original sales advert as a barn for conversion, with some clues. and the planning portal is worth a try to.

Thanks very much…! Will report back in due course 🤞😬🤣

[DavidO]

Another thought. Google the property and you may find the original sales advert as a barn for conversion, with some clues. and the planning portal is worth a try to.

 

 

It’s in my home town so already know a bit about it…but not how the former (failed) developer managed to make such a mess of it. The planning portal is a good shout, and I’m also going to try to consult with the local BCO.

[Alan Ambrose]

Maybe there’s another staircase design that means the ‘rsj’, or replacement, can still do a similar span? Also, it’s possible that an SE can design something that will have the same structural effect but not impinge on the stairs. The good news is that there won’t be many bidders prepared to absorb the cost & risk of structural work. Start flinging out very low bids to see whether it might make financial sense? Agree that previous developer is a fool, so there may be other stuff lurking. You should be able to see on the land registry what the previous developer paid for it. That might be a psychological bottom line for them.

[DavidO]

5 hours ago, Alan Ambrose said:

Maybe there’s another staircase design that means the ‘rsj’, or replacement, can still do a similar span? Also, it’s possible that an SE can design something that will have the same structural effect but not impinge on the stairs. The good news is that there won’t be many bidders prepared to absorb the cost & risk of structural work. Start flinging out very low bids to see whether it might make financial sense? Agree that previous developer is a fool, so there may be other stuff lurking. You should be able to see on the land registry what the previous developer paid for it. That might be a psychological bottom line for them.

Thanks Alan…Yes….good suggestions especially reconfiguring an alternative solution for what ever function the existing RSJ fulfills. We have also been thinking about replacing the stairs with something different, or a spiral, or even a lift. The previous “fool” actually bought this building as part of a much bigger package which would have been 15 apartments + this “cottage” if he hadn’t gone bust first, so the price would be impossible to untangle. The receivers are now finishing the project (which is very unusual) apart from this unit, probably because it’s a bit too difficult for them?

[Mr Punter]

We had some old railway track on a site.  Very difficult to cut with a petrol disc cutter.

[saveasteading]

That beam was put there for a purpose, however misguided.

For some mysterious reason, it has not been removed.

Why not? Because it is part of the structure? Because an SE said don't remove that beam?
Because the developer hoped it would all sort out, but it clearly has not?

Ask the vendor. Ask to see the building reg's submission or permission to talk to the bco.

[Gus Potter]

On 09/03/2026 at 08:13, DavidO said:

I’d be very interested in opinions on this RSJ in a botched half completed renovation which I’m considering?

It is indeed a puzzle and interesting. 

On 09/03/2026 at 08:13, DavidO said:

It looks like an old railway line to me?

It does indeed. 

 

4 hours ago, saveasteading said:

For some mysterious reason, it has not been removed.

Now @saveasteading knows his way around buildings as do many on BH. 

 

I took a step back and looked up at the roof. Up there is a historic roof truss. I can't see enough detail to try and date that without risking embarressment. Now I'm totally guessing here.. but the roof is sitting on old walls that will have moved about, probably spread. 

 

I wonder if the railway line is acting as a tie beam (in tension) rather than a vertical load bearing element. Don't forget folk would put in anything to hand in the past to solve a problem.

 

If you look closely the railway beam seems to frame into a beam at the edge of the first floor stiff diaphragm floor. 

 

I'm just speculating of course.. but if the railway beam is working as a tie then you could maybe swap that out for a steel rod or stainless steel wire. You need to check you can clear the line of the stair by 2.0m.  If you struggle then you could spend a bit more on some fancy catilevered steel connection to raise the height a bit. 

 

Don't chuck in the towel just yet if you really want the place.