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Post by lesley on Nov 8, 2018 11:41:56 GMT
It turns out the cupboard wall in my kitchen that my builder started knocking down is actually load-bearing after all.  So my 2-3 week kitchen renovation has turned into something else completely. Phrases like building warrants, reinforced steel joists, and major delay are being bandied about. The contents of my kitchen are all in my living room. My new units are being delivered this afternoon. I’m claustrophobic already anticipating what it will be like. And the budget has been shot to hell.  |
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Post by gillyp on Nov 8, 2018 11:47:42 GMT
Aw, yuck. I know just how bad all that could get and you have my sympathy. There’s no easy way out now, is there. Are your units coming from a local showroom? If so maybe they would agree to store them for you while you get the building side sorted?
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:29:49 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2018 11:51:15 GMT
Sympathies. Just got finished with a similar situation. House torn up for 8 weeks. $$$$$
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Post by jennyap on Nov 8, 2018 12:10:19 GMT
Holy crap. Was it the builder who initially "determined" that it was not load bearing? If they made the error, surely they should bear at least the essential costs to make good what they've done - and should have insurance to cover that kind of eventuality.
Nevertheless, you have my sympathy, that sounds like it could be a long job!
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Post by lesley on Nov 8, 2018 12:10:48 GMT
Aw, yuck. I know just how bad all that could get and you have my sympathy. There’s no easy way out now, is there. Are your units coming from a local showroom? If so maybe they would agree to store them for you while you get the building side sorted? The units are coming from Ikea, so I’m afraid I’ll be stuck with them. At least they can be stored in the kitchen, albeit still in their boxes. And thankfully, while the builder removed all the old (circa 1969) units, he left the one with the sink intact for now. I'm dreading to hear how much it’s all going to cost. |
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Post by Jennifer C on Nov 8, 2018 12:15:06 GMT
Wow, did he not check before starting demolition? I would look at the builder and expect some answers. That's insane that a professional would make this huge of an error.
Jennifer
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Post by lesley on Nov 8, 2018 12:17:58 GMT
Holy crap. Was it the builder who initially "determined" that it was not load bearing? If they made the error, surely they should bear at least the essential costs to make good what they've done in - and should have insurance to cover that kind of eventuality. Nevertheless, you have my sympathy, that sounds like it could be a long job! It wasn’t this builder who said the wall was okay. The one who did my loft conversion last year quoted for it initially, but couldn’t meet my deadline (which has of course flown mournfully out the window). He assured me the wall was fine, and I told that to David, the new builder. Of course, he is furious with himself that he didn’t personally check it. The two builders know each other, and are complimentary of each other’s work, so he had no reason to doubt him. These things happen... |
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Post by gillyp on Nov 8, 2018 12:29:04 GMT
Yes, these things do happen but you will be the one picking up the tab and waiting while everything goes through.
In an ideal world, both builders would get together and work on the project at no or minimal additional cost to yourself, with you maybe paying for the local authority fees. Is it worth suggesting something like that? I can’t see the second one’s insurer being willing to pay, given the circumstances.
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Post by Really Red on Nov 8, 2018 12:31:04 GMT
OMG. I am so sorry. At this point it doesn't matter too much where fault lies, but it's definitely David. I cannot even imagine not double-checking something big like that. I hope he gives you a break on the cost. Ugh!!!
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Post by LisaDV on Nov 8, 2018 12:33:50 GMT
Oh, No! I’m so sorry!
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Post by librarylady on Nov 8, 2018 14:28:22 GMT
I cannot imagine a responsible builder/contractor NOT checking that before any work began.
I would expect him to absorb some of the cost.
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Post by peano on Nov 8, 2018 14:31:51 GMT
Urgh! Remodeling is so stressful.
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,316 
Location: PNW
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Post by breetheflea on Nov 8, 2018 14:33:29 GMT
Load bearing walls usually go the opposite way of the floor joists... Not that that helps you at this point |
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Post by mom on Nov 8, 2018 14:33:42 GMT
Oh my gosh! I seriously hope your contractor is not billing you for his mistake!
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Post by gar on Nov 8, 2018 14:37:12 GMT
Oh no! What a mess! You have my sympathy and I do think I would be looking to your current builder to bear some of the extra cost at least.
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trollie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,580
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Post by trollie on Nov 8, 2018 15:06:28 GMT
THAT sucks! i feel your pain. ugh.
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Post by catck on Nov 8, 2018 15:16:30 GMT
Yikes that sucks. Hope the situation improves quickly for you. Personally I hate renovations as they rarely go smoothly in my experience.
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Post by JoP on Nov 8, 2018 15:16:42 GMT
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Post by mikklynn on Nov 8, 2018 16:47:06 GMT
Ugh. Remodeling a kitchen is a nightmare even without complications.
Good luck!
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Post by malibou on Nov 8, 2018 16:57:24 GMT
David should absolutely be kicking himself. That is a tremendous fail on his part. I know it's going to cast you a lot more money and I am so sorry for that. I do hope David steps up to mitigate as much of the cost as possible.
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Post by jenjie on Nov 8, 2018 16:59:14 GMT
I cannot imagine a responsible builder/contractor NOT checking that before any work began. I would expect him to absorb some of the cost. This. He should have checked for himself anyway. Will he absorb any of the labor costs? |
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kibblesandbits
Pearl Clutcher
At the corner of Awesome and Bombdiggity
Posts: 3,305
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Post by kibblesandbits on Nov 8, 2018 17:33:30 GMT
I can't believe any qualified builder would just wing it on someone else's word regarding a load bearing wall. That's crazy. He should absorb at least half the labor costs as well as the cost for the steel support beam. He can feel free to split the cost with the first guy.
Seriously. I would NOT let this one go. If he makes this kind of mistake, what the hell would be his next one?
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scrappington
Pearl Clutcher
in Canada
Posts: 3,157
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Post by scrappington on Nov 8, 2018 18:17:32 GMT
I would seriously question the contractor abilities if they can't tell a load bearing wall.
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Post by disneypal on Nov 8, 2018 18:21:50 GMT
lesley - oh, I don't consider that petty at all - that's not good news - sorry
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Post by gmcwife1 on Nov 8, 2018 18:24:20 GMT
I’m sorry, that’s a huge bummer |
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Post by quinlove on Nov 8, 2018 18:32:20 GMT
Oh no !! So sad to hear this. Are you comfortable talking to either one of these guys about absolving some of the new cost ?
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Nov 8, 2018 18:58:37 GMT
Not so petty at all. I'm sorry for the delay and especially the extra expense.
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joelise
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,649
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Post by joelise on Nov 8, 2018 19:58:25 GMT
Oh no! What a nightmare! I hope you can get it sorted soon and that the extra cost isn’t too high!
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eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,252
Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on Nov 8, 2018 20:02:49 GMT
That stinks, I'm sorry to hear it.
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Post by lesley on Nov 8, 2018 23:33:31 GMT
TBH, I don’t think it would be fair to ask David to cover the extra costs. If he had checked the wall himself, he would have seen it was load-bearing, and I would have had to pay the extra, or not proceed with the job. It’s an internal cupboard, and there was no real reason to suspect it was load bearing. It was unfortunate it only came to light after I had emptied the kitchen. The biggest issue is the delay it involves. A structural engineer is going to come out next week to advise on the size and location of the RSJs. If I cannot proceed without a building warrant (and there might be a way around that), then it can take six weeks for it to be issued.  My DS's GF is coming from Florida for two weeks from 5 December. She’s really looking forward to helping me decorate the house for Christmas, but the way the living room looks just now, I don’t think I could fit in even a single bauble!  |
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