why oh why...

[in2minds]

did I get the BCO to come out ?

everyone else in my street (that has converted their cellar) have done it the same way and without building consent. being the upstanding citizen that I am, and the fact the NCMA would require BC approval before I could use the room, I called him in. and guess what, he's scuppered my plans, can't do this, can't do that... oh and you can't do that either ! the up side was the head room issue, I was under the impression it had to be 2m, but he said he'd be happy with 1.7m, which makes digging out the rear section (to be cupboard space and toilet) a lot less hassle, and, he came up with a solution to avoid putting in an RSJ.

all in all a bad day and that skip I hired is almost empty and will be going back like that...

LJ

[Rick Dipper]

If he avoided you an RSJ, he probably avoided you a whole pile of work ....

Rick

[Dave Plowman (News)]

When you come to sell, you might well be happy you've got full approval for the works - and hopefully it in writing. Nothing like 'conversions' that aren't properly documented to get the asking price knocked down.

[Lobster]

So what in fact has he told you that you can't do?

[stevebowtie]

Just out of interest, what was his way of avoiding an rsj?

Steve

[in2minds]

to treble up an existing joist, that's at 90' to the joists supported by the rsj, and hang them from that with hanger plates.

LJ

[G&M]

If you've got a BCO who will actually recommend solutions rather than just nit-pick nowadays, you've struck lucky.

[Tony Bryer]

If this is so, it is a pity - but also perhaps a reflection on the people being appointed: academic rather than practical knowledge now being more important. In my BCO days (1976-84) I carried an Osma drainage catalogue in my car and on more than a few occasions gave a builder or DIYer a sketch of what I was looking for along with fitting part numbers. This was as much self interest as altruism: I wanted to come back and pass the work, not have another discussion about what was required.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

I've little experience of them - but all positive. When knocking down a few load bearing walls - with calculations from a structural engineer - it was 'do this bit and phone me' and he came round quickly to approve (or not;-)) with plenty of advice for the next stage.

Even although the SE had given more than adequate plans, encouragement and guidance from 'he who must be obeyed' is always welcome.

[G&M]

And that's how it should be. But unfortunately nowadays most seem to want to come in, pick a few holes, demand more calculations or plans and then rush off without any discussion or giving advice. It was only after a thread on here that I realised what my one was having problems over concerning a lintel - if he'd been prepared to discuss the matter I'd have soon realised his misunderstanding.

[G&M]

I would be surprised if with the current shortage, it is possible to recruit well qualified engineers into these positions anyway. And because of the lack of their own knowledge, many BCOs demand ever more calculations for ever more basic things which then overloads most structural engineering companies with requests for this stuff so they hire an equally inexperienced person to meet the demand. Result is lots of paperwork but never an elegant solution.

[Rick Dipper]

There are 3 that come to me, 2 are fine, and give plenty of advice, one likes to be gone faster than the wind. Fortunatly they cover the area on different days, so I simply work out who I want to come, and select my day appropriatly.

Not being a profesionaly builder, and never having built a house before, I like the BCO, it give me confidence that my work is at least up to some sort of standard.

Rick

[The Natural Philosopher]

hear hear.

[G&M]

Perhaps we should be allowed to choose our own BCO from the council's website. The w*****s would soon be getting no business and shown the door.

I know it's possible to use a third party approvals engineer but they are a lot more expensive.