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Structural engineer or architect

Anonymous user 3 March 2024 - 3.16 PM

We're thinking of building on top of garage conversion and garage which was built before we moved in. This was back in 2002. I have had a friend builder come over and he recommended demolishing the existing buildings and starting again. Do i get a structural engineer to inspect the existing structures this may cost initially but maybe they can give me options to keep costs down and also save me from demolishing existing structure. Please give me advice as I have been given different advice from different professionals and I'm terribly confused.

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3 Answers

Anonymous user

Personally I would call your local building autourites. They will send a surveyor who will advise you if you need planning permission or if the project only needs a building regulation notice. When they arrive state your concerns , they will ask for some pilot holes to be dug to determine the depth of your existing footing. They will then make a decision regarding taking the building down. If the footings are suffice dependant on the surroundings you couple possibly underpin them. Good luck with your project. Steve
Answered6 January 2018
3
CKN Carpentry & Construction

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Bury St Edmunds
a structural engineer will need holes dug to verify footings and soil. to go up another level would put extreme loads on what you have. I would go for demolishing and starting again,then at least starting from ground up everything would be to regs and safe.BUT the structural engineer will give advise you need.
Answered5 January 2018
2

Anonymous user

Hi Nazzia, In past projects where we were forced to keep the existing structure (conservation area or listed building) we built a steel superstructure internally to support the additional floor. I wish you luck with your project.
Answered15 January 2018
2