Calculation and which lintel to use???

[tufty7]

Just got planning permission and am now waiting the building regs stuff through , the architect says I need a calculation doing on what lintel is required to span the new extension to the old, and this is an additional cost as its a speciallist job to do this, Anyone know why and how much roughly it will be ?? thanks

[The Builder]

You need a structural engineer Tufty...............architects usually have "favourite" ones.
They charge by the hour..........cost depends on how complex the situation is....... structural loadings etc.........should be less than �100.

[tufty7]

Thank you builder, architect says he knows someone who works for a company doing it as his job , but will do it as a foreigner if we wanted, he hasn't put any pressure on us at all ... thanks for the answer Builder , its a bit clearer now ,

[buildersmate]

In some simple applications and where you are using a proprietary product (like a Catnic steel lintel, which comes with a high level of technical datasheets), Building Control may be willing to merely accept the description of the proprietary lintel. It is at their discretion. Otherwise as The Builder describes above. What you are paying for is the technical assurance provided by a qualified Structural Engineer, and the professional indemnity insurance he has to have to practice, in the unlikely event that something goes wrong.

[solera]

Whoops Tufty "Architect knows someone do it as a foreigner" read Buildersmate again, technical assurance etc and indemnity insurance you don't get that doing work as a "foreigner".