What exactly should my engineers plans be showing? Lack of detail causing confusion....

Capra

Hello, we are doing a renovation and extension to our bungalow. The extension is the only part the engineers are involved with and we received their drawing a while ago. They were consulting with our architect (the architect was the one who actually found the engineers for us) but there was a falling out and the architect fell out with us and the engineers in a very very unprofessional manner. Anyway, when we started laying foundations and blocks we discovered there were some mistakes made in the plans due to the engineers and the architect not communicating properly which has left us in the middle with two disgraces of "professionals" acting like babies. Rights and wrongs aside, we just want to get our house finished.

The engineer is still dealing with us but I just feel like his drawings are massively lacking in detail. The new and old parts of the house are being tied together by a pitched connector roof which is lower than the roof of the new and old roofs. This isnt particularly complicated but there is no detail on how the steel beam that supports the roof of this connector ties into the new or old block work. Is that not one of the basic engineering drawings we should have?

Also, we have a very large dormer window which has a steel frame around it. Again there are no details on how this is connected to the blocks? These all seem like the very details that you get an engineer involved for, no?

C. Eastwood

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058256293/what-exactly-should-my-engineers-plans-be-showing-lack-of-detail-causing-confusion

Before any building works commence, your Construction Professional/s should have every detail drawn and everything Specified in writing to enable the Building Contractor/s to include everything in their Quotation/ Tender.

When your building works are completed, the builders Final Account will include the costs of everything.

The Engineer drawings should describe to the building contractor all necessary details to enable the builder to include for all the works in his Bill of Quantities, and must show the builder every detail of how all of the works are to be built and completed, before commencement of the works.

This must include the sizes of all steel and timber and cast-in situ concrete etc and all details of connections etc

All of these details must be agreed with the builder before the works are commenced, and the engineer should certify all the works completed by the builder.

Stanford

I agree with C. Eastwood above but you need to go back a bit to answer your own questions.

Firstly exactly what was the Engineer and Architect hired to do? Did either one prepare drawings on which a builder could quote? If so then these drawings should include the details you need. If there are errors in these drawings then the party who either prepared them or supplied details for them needs to be contacted. Drawings concerning sizing of steel beams etc. are firmly within the remit of the Engineer.

Go back to your files and see what exactly you hired each of these people to produce. Getting involved in the row between the Engineer and Architect will not get you the answers you need.