Building Notice Charge..??

[webrits]

Quick-ish question regarding the above.

1st off I'm not a builder and am new to all this !

I bought a house I'm refurbing. The lounge and dining room were already knocked into one many years ago. The plasterer noticed the 'beam' between the 2 is sagging and upon closer inspection noticed it was a totally inadequate wooden beam.

Rightly or wrongly I called the local council building control officer for advice as I wasn't sure which way to proceed. To cut a long story I need an RSJ installed and building control want to charge me nearly £200 for a building notice and maybe more for inspecting the work etc.

My question is: Do I have to pay them for the building notice? Can I not get someone else to do it?
Is there a cheaper way?
Did I do the right thing notifying them or should I have gone down a different route??

Many thanks...I'm clueless on all this.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

You could use a Private Inspector but they will likely be a similar price. Theoretically the cost allows for a couple of inspections and sending off your calcs to another SE for an independent check.

 

[^woody^]

Let's say you did not want to pay the council fees. How much would it cost you for a professional opinion on the suitability of a beam, a site visit and a completion certificate?

And then how much would an indemnity policy be at sale time, let alone the hassle of proving the work is safe to a buyer?

 

[tony1851]

First rule of Building; think before you speak to the Council

 

[brek01]

2nd rule of building, think before you call the council. Sounds like my grandparents house in Sale.