Can anyone talk to me about purlins?

[HoopDeDoop]

We're FTB and our purchase seems to be going along smoothly(famous last words...)

Only snag so far is our Homebuyers report says 'the purlins to the roof were not embened to the party wall to the left hand elevation and not adequately supported. We believe this to be the cause of the roof bowing and recommend it is attended to by a structural engineer to design a better support for the purlins.'

I used an online portal to request quotes from structural engineers, but the only response I've had seems to be from a roofing/ building company. They say they have experience in this but I don't know enough about it to know whether a structural engineer rather than a roofer is necessary.

The surveyors recommended we make sure that anyone who does the work has the 'necessary memberships and accreditations,' but I haven't been able to work out from google what these are, and asking the building company directly whether they have them didn't seem like a very clever plan!

I know surveyors tend to be over cautious in their advice, so it's very possible that a roofer would be just fine. We want to make sure it's done safely/ properly, but equally don't want to spend money unnecessarily.

Can anyone help please?

I would get a structural engineer to look as the purlins not being connected properly to the party wall could have a couple of different causes. A structural engineer would be able to suggest appropriste remedial works as well. The IStructE website has a "find an engineer" fuction that you can use to find local structural engineers.

I would ring the surveyor to whom you paid a wedge of money asking exactly what these purlins are? Also exactly what type of person you need to assess the issue, where you find them and what professional body they should be accredited to?

I have always found that surveyors are happy to clarify.

Good luck.

I would also contact your surveyor to get as much detail as possible and advice on the correct person to continue the investigation.

Ours was extremely helpful and following his advice helped us avoid purchasing a property with quite serious, but well hidden, problems.

I would agree with all of the above

We are selling our house to a first time buyer.
She had a survey done by an independent surveyor
Surveyor says "purlin is inserted into original wall and does not believe this to be adequate support." We will possibly have to get a structural engineer around. There is no sagging or spreading of the roof, no rotting, no bowing, no split purlin. But they act as thought the house will fall down. It js a Victorian house, the purlin has possibly been replaced.

The buyer asked for the money for the survey back as she felt this was hidden and need another survey buy.a structural engineer... NO.... first time buyers are such amateurs.

What would you suggest we do. The roof has never been a problem. Ive put all my weight on the purlin and it is structurally sound. Has lasted decades.

Thanks