RSJ - how does it look?

[xxltom]

Hi,

I am in the process of buying a house in England and I have doubts about moving forward.
The issue is that the vendor made some changes to the ground floor involving the conversion of the garage to a room and removing half of the wall between the kitchen and living room.
While there is a completion certificate for the garage work (provided by an independent inspector), there is none regarding the kitchen wall. This certificate refers to the garage work only.
The vendor says that the work has been done at the same time which is most likely.
There are a lot of architect's drawings with some beams to be installed (with dimensions, etc.)

Unfortunately the only 'proof' related to the kitchen wall is the bad quality picture attached which does look concerning in my opinion.
At least on the left side there doesn't seem to be much support for this steel beam.
While the picture quality is really bad, I would really appreciate your opinion about this work.

Thanks!

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

When was the work done, can you post a pic of the drawings showing the beams? Any obvious cracks or similar around the area? Yes those pics are crap.

 

[xxltom]

The work was done in 2016, and according to the plans the beam should be
2No C24 250x47mm timbers bolted together.
I can't post the full drawings, but the one related to the kitchen wall is attached.
Not really sure about cracks or other issues, the L3 survey didn't mention anything.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Well who knows, the photos really are useless, is there a nib on the external wall where the two timber posts should be? Do you have the structural engineers drawings as sometimes architects plans don't show the correct structure. If the work was done in 2016 then any problems would have likely become apparent by now. Was the fire escape from the first floor compromised in anyway? An overall floor plan would help.

 

[^woody^]

How does it look?

Blurred

 

[xxltom]

Indeed, the blurry pictures are a very good reason to pull out

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

So is there a nib and do you have access to the structural drawings? An unapproved beam is pretty common on many house purchases, if there are no cracks or other issues it's probably OK, my last house had an unapproved knock through, it didn't bother me, or the next buyer.

 

[xxltom]

So is there a nib and do you have access to the structural drawings? An unapproved beam is pretty common on many house purchases, if there are no cracks or other issues it's probably OK, my last house had an unapproved knock through, it didn't bother me, or the next buyer.

I only have access to the architect's drawings.
I don't think there is a nib on the external wall, I have a single picture of that wall and it looks clean.

One more question: when you get a building certificate, should that refer in detail to what has been done?
In my case the certificate is just referring to 'garage conversion' without any detail.

Thanks

 

[Notch7]

Unfortunately the only 'proof' related to the kitchen wall is the bad quality picture attached

Have you seen the property?

 

[xxltom]

Have you seen the property?

Yes, I did.
But I can't say that the work has been done according to the standards, and neither a structural surveyor without opening up the walls.

 

[catlad]

Well if there hasn't been any significant movement in 7yrs then that's a good sign! as long as it doesn't look like there has been some touching up prior to being put on the market of course...