Building work/kitchen renovation at a standstill - just need a space to vent.

[queenrollo]

So after being set back a few days by unexpected problems with the roof slates after phase 1 of the works we moved onto phase 2.
Removing a non load bearing wall that formed kitchen/back hall. We checked all the rules and didn't have to notify building control of this, but we did have to notify for removal of window to be replaced with doors.
Building Inspector turned up a week early (not notifying us, so I had gone out and DH at work meant neither of us were here - i'm a bit annoyed about this) to check the window and has promptly decided the roof span is too big and we now can't proceed until engineer comes to give us options.

It's an odd room, with all sorts of obstructions meaning getting an RSJ in is going to be a nightmare. It also means that either way i'm likely to have a sodding great pillar right in the way.

I'm just feeling glum today about this. My wonderful kitchen renovation which I have waited 6 years to do.....no matter how we work this, my vision has to change now and I am having an immature sulk about it today.

Vent away, there was a thread recently which was a grumble thread for people doing work so there are a lot of people here who feel your pain.

Building inspector told us that our kitchen/diner conversion RSJ needed a nib on both sides which on the original plans weren't necessary and I am still annoyed with the pillars/arch effect that it has left so I know how you feel about being disappointed though it doesn't sound like mine is as bad as yours.

Can you speak to an architect/structural engineer about what would be possible and to come up with some options, are you under time pressure from builders?

The engineer is coming at 6pm tomorrow to look at what we have and chat about our options.
Fortunately my builder is brilliant. We're away for a week very soon so he said that he'll work late and through the weekend we're not here to make up for time. I can't fault him.

It's an old house, built in 1846, so we knew we would encounter all sorts of fun and games when it came to building and renovation.

I feel your pain! I am a bit sulky about the two massive RSJs in my kitchen diner. We have just plastered and I am trying to work out how to decorate and how to fit my kitchen around these monstrosities. You'd be surprised what can be done. We took out the corner of our house and didn't need a pillar. But if you do you can decorate to make it look fab so don't be too disheartened :)

I know you can have steel supports instead of a brick pillar which takes up less room but is quite contemporary looking - might be worth a look at as they obviously don't take up so much room. I have a pillar so I know what you mean - useful for putting small pictures on!

it has to go across the middle part and into an internal wall. If it needs a pillar at that end I have to have major pipework from the Rayburn re-routed :( and it literally will put a pillar right in the middle of the floorspace at the other end. The whole point of taking the wall out was to open it up and get a table in to make it a more usuable space as a family kitchen.
I'm trying not to get worked up until the engineer comes - but if that is our only option then the reality is we have done this and spent all this money and not gained anything :(

phew!!
Engineer has been and we can have the RSJ across a rather convenient point meaning the pillar required to support it can tag onto the end of a funny bit of wall (which will form a pantry) so we're not going to have an obstructive pillar in the middle of the floorspace.
He has also said we can hang the ceiling joists to the RSJ across that point which solves another problem we were having with the ceiling.

Waiting for full plans to be emailed over, but we now have a plan to move forward.
Our builder came over for the meeting too, so he knows what materials to order in etc.
The only problem now really is that with the Bank Holiday we won't have the RSJ until next week so we're losing days of work.

Our structural engineer was ace. We didn't want a nib as that was the only wall we could run the kitchen units down so we had a vertical steel put in the wall to support the new horizontal steel.

Queen It is awful when you are delayed. We waited 3 years for our kitchen extension and building control agreed something so it was done, only for a more senior building control guy to come out and over-rule it. We were soooo mad. Lost 4 days.

Just keep doing the lovely stuff like buying the kitchen and imagining what it will look like when it is done. And of course post pics here