Load bearing wall removed without permission

[yokietoks]

Couple of years ago I have got a load bearing wall removed through a builder. He has used a beam for support (usual process) however at that time he did NOT mention that an engineer needs to approve or council needs to check. So I haven't gone through the engineer nor council as I wasn't aware of this process nor did the builder tell me.
Please let me know if we had to go through the engineer and council approval? If so where does it say please? If this was required then what can be done now?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

All work involving altering a structural opening be that creating one or making one wider requires Building Control Approval. Ultimately it needs to be inspected and approved by a Building Control Inspector, typically from the Local Authority Building Control department.

Though you said

at that time he did mention that an engineer needs to approve or council needs to check.

but then you said

I wasn't aware of this process nor did the builder tell me.

So not very clear if the builder told you or not? Ultimately it is the building owners responsibility not the builder.

Anyway typically the process would involve employing a structural engineer to design a suitable beam, the calculations for said beam are handed to Building Control and Mr Building Control officer inspects it and signs it off, providing your approval. That said an engineer may well be unnecessary depending on the opening, lintel or beam size the BCO's experience etc.

If you wanted to get approval now you would get a retrospective approval from the Local Authority, unless you have photos to show what was built it's likely that Building Control will expect you to expose the ends of the beam to see what was installed. Building Control chap might then expect some engineers calculations to prove whatever was installed was sufficient. If it is then you will get an approval, if not then you will not get approval.

Typically if you come to sell and you don't have the approval then you can usually pay for an indemnity insurance that covers things and is often the most sensible route to go down especially if it's been some years since the installation and there are no obvious defects or cracks etc caused by the new opening.

 

[yokietoks]

Thank you. My apologies I meant that the builder did NOT mention at that time.

 

[^woody^]

You don't need an engineer if the work is of standard methods with typical or proprietary supports - it depends on your council's policies.

Regularisation is the way to get retrospective approval.

 

[yokietoks]

You don't need an engineer if the work is of standard methods with typical or proprietary supports - it depends on your council's policies.

Regularisation is the way to get retrospective approval.

Sorry what do you mean by regularisation? Am I supposed to check with council now? I want to be careful not opening issues

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Its the same as retrospective approval.