Do I need a Structural Engineer ?

[Mano]

LOL

Structural engineer for that?

Tell him in no uncertain ones to swivel, do one and go **** ***** **** his **** ****

I mean obviously the damage need to be repaired, but thats a handyman job, nothing more.

Please find his reply below

this is the final offer

Registered structural engineers to assess the damage and advice on necessary repairs- registered builders to carry out repair- on completion structural engineers to inspect and certify the work so that owners of 18 wouldn’t be liable if that wall suffers any damage and collapse.

I would like to make it clear that until he completes the process he is liable for any detrimental injuries it may cause to the property and tenants and any legal claims arising from it - from sharps sticking out of the wall inside the garage/ from any further damage to the wall.

 

[Maccapacca]

Christ. So it's either 1brick thick or bloonin long screws

1/2 b thick. Probabaly 1/2b thick with piers

I'd be a bit annoyed if someone done that to my garage.

 

[Maccapacca]

Please find his reply below

this is the final offer

Registered structural engineers to assess the damage and advice on necessary repairs- registered builders to carry out repair- on completion structural engineers to inspect and certify the work so that owners of 18 wouldn’t be liable if that wall suffers any damage and collapse.

I would like to make it clear that until he completes the process he is liable for any detrimental injuries it may cause to the property and tenants and any legal claims arising from it - from sharps sticking out of the wall inside the garage/ from any further damage to the wall.

Offer him on paper recorded half a day for a bricklayer to replace the bricks plus three bricks and £5 of mortar, write a cheque and include. Then let him do what he wants.

 

[Delvis]

1/2 b thick. Probabaly 1/2b thick with piers

I'd be a bit annoyed if someone done that to my garage.

Oh definitely, it should have been talked about prior for sure.

 

[kindai]

Get 3 quotes from somewhere like trustatrader or ratedpeople from 3 builders/bricklayers. Also ask them to confirm if a structural engineer would be needed. (it wont)

Id reply something like this

Dear XYZ,

On receipt and examination of the pictures of the damage I have obtained the three following independent quotes via the site (whatever you use here) to cover the removal of three screws and the removal and replacement of the three damaged bricks.

These quotes have also confirmed the involvement and cost of a structural engineer for cosmetic damage is disproportionate and unnecessary and the removal of the screws followed by the re-attachment of the dislodged pieces for cosmetic reinstatement is all that is needed.

Accordingly my offer without prejudice stands at (highest/average of the quotes) in full and final settlement of this issue.

I would also remind you that as per the civil procedure rules you have a requirement to act reasonably and keep costs to a minimum. Should this offer be refused we would vigorously defend against any uplift in this offer and argue for a reduction on the basis that:

1) So far your actions relating to the incident have been excessively unreasonable. After the claim of damage it has taken X weeks before any evidence of the damage was presented as you refused to allow us to inspect the claimed damage.
2) The pictures provided could still be of any 3 bricks at any location as there is no wide angle shot showing the location and we have still been denied access to assess and confirm the damage. However we are willing to accept the pictures taken on good faith at this point.
3) We have obtained the opinion of three professional builders who have all stated the involvement and costs of a structural engineer are disproportionate and excessive.
4) Unless otherwise informed, the debris from the damaged bricks which could have been used to restore the cosmetic appearance of the bricks without complete and unnecessary replacement has been disposed of by yourself increasing the costs through no fault of our own.
5) The builder who caused the alleged damage has offered to rectify the problem, and you have refused to allow him to do so.

Accordingly we consider the offer above to be more than reasonable and look forward to confirmation of acceptance. You can do this in writing or by calling (phone number) to provide details on how best to make payment.

Yours sincerely

 

[ZombieFan]

I've missed a few pages, but since you've now got evidence of the damage shouldn't you approach the original builder and ask them to make amends in the first instance?

 

[Mano]

I've missed a few pages, but since you've now got evidence of the damage shouldn't you approach the original builder and ask them to make amends in the first instance?

I spoke to my original builder and he is happy to do the repairs.But the neighbour is not letting him/me to proceed rather he wants structural engineer report first it seems and i need to pay for structural engineer.

 

[fezster]

Get 3 quotes from somewhere like trustatrader or ratedpeople from 3 builders/bricklayers. Also ask them to confirm if a structural engineer would be needed. (it wont)

Id reply something like this

Spot on. I'd follow this advice. If he disagrees, let him take you to court and see how a judge takes to how reasonable he has been.

 

[dl8860]

Sensible advice from others above.

As a structural engineer (who has never worked with masonry/residential), I can say - the blindingly obvious - there's no threat to structural integrity whatsoever and you shouldn't cave to demands for an engineer to be hired.

 

[Mercenary Keyboard Warrior]

So "builder" was a bit of a moron, looks like he drilled only so far then went OTT on length of screws and installed screws longer blowing the bricks, although they do look a little like concrete screws so maybe he just wizzed them in, assuming it was a thicker wall than it was. But I mean screws over brick length deep for a gate....

I agree with Kindais letter, important to get some of those facts down now in writing, if it turns nasty and they later try to deny it, not denying it instantly will support your position they were being unreasonable.

 

[Mano]

Is there anybody here who is a structural engineer who can give me an opinion in a e-mail which will be helpful for me to share with my neighbour?

Thanks in advance

 

[Delvis]

Is there anybody here who is a structural engineer who can give me an opinion in a e-mail which will be helpful for me to share with my neighbour?

Thanks in advance

There's literally a post above. .

 

[Mano]

Sensible advice from others above.

As a structural engineer (who has never worked with masonry/residential), I can say - the blindingly obvious - there's no threat to structural integrity whatsoever and you shouldn't cave to demands for an engineer to be hired.

Thanks for the above message. By any change will you be able to send me private email with the same opinion which would be very helpful for me to share it with the police & neighbour.

 

[kindai]

police

What? Its a civil matter, tell the five-0 to do one.

 

[Mano]

What? Its a civil matter, tell the five-0 to do one.

Yes, He complaint this to the police but the police denied to take this further as this is a civil case but police officer said he is happy to act as a mediation services between us to solve the issue. So i have respond to police with a structural engineer opinion.

 

[dl8860]

Thanks for the above message. By any change will you be able to send me private email with the same opinion which would be very helpful for me to share it with the police & neighbour.

Afraid not, it would only be remotely worthwhile for that purpose if I somehow provided proof of my expertise which I'm not really willing to do, nor would I really know how to. I'm only posting as such on here to try and give you some peace of mind about not caving.

 

[flea.rider]

?? its a 1 brick wall just write the guy a check covering costs have him sign a piece of paper wither he wants the job done or not .. your due diligence is then done.. there is no load on the wall except the roof .. hence no structural engineer is needed .,.
take him to court for fraud or mention it .. he's trying to get more out of you than the jobs worth ..
or you could just video yourself trying to make amends with him and him being awkward ?

 

[Deleted User 298457]

At this stage tell him to do as he pleases/ pay for a structural engineer and ask him to take you to court to recover costs. Simple.

 

[fezster]

Yes, He complaint this to the police but the police denied to take this further as this is a civil case but police officer said he is happy to act as a mediation services between us to solve the issue. So i have respond to police with a structural engineer opinion.

You don't have to do anything. Ask the police officer if you have committed a crime? Or if this is a civil matter?

In the latter case, tell the police officer that you have acted reasonably and are awaiting your neighbour to take you to court before you exercise your legal protection on your home insurance to have them represent you.

In the former case, ask the officer to arrest you. He won't. Back to the above.

 

[Mercenary Keyboard Warrior]

At this stage tell him to do as he pleases/ pay for a structural engineer and ask him to take you to court to recover costs. Simple.

By telling him to do as he pleases and to take you to court to recover the costs you would literally be offering a verbal contract to do specifically that.
All he would need to do would be to accept your terms.

So he could engage a structural engineer, a builder then another engineer to inspect it and you have agreed to pay him for precisely that.

Or he could take the very good advice listed above my Kindai which includes the important term when making such an offer of "without prejudice"

Verbal contracts are just as binding as written ones, the difficulty comes when they frequently end up with differing opinion of what was offered. All you need to do with a verbal contract is convince the judge that on balance of probabilities your version of events is more likely than the other persons, if he for example was recording the conversation you would have a hard time denying that you were not offering him specifically what you said.