Is my Engineer pulling a fast one?

kraken208 · 22-08-2025 10:51PM #1

Hi

I have engaged an engineer who works for a reputable firm but this is outside that as he has his own company also.

it's a relatively Small extension.

He would do bcar submission (with opt out), details for raft, walls,roof and opinions on compliance for planning and building regs after.

so far he has submitted the wrong foundation/wall detail to bacr ("so they dont ask questions and keep things moving")

and when I asked for his PI insurance he said that would never be handed out but we do have it.

these just appear to be red flags to me or am I over thinking it and thats just how its done?

all details so far have been over the phone to builder and no drawing bar the incorrect one sent to bcar.

thanks

muffler · 22-08-2025 11:30PM

Im confused on a couple of points. How do you know he submitted the wrong foundation/wall detail?

You asked for a copy of his PI cover, he refused but you have a copy. That doesnt make sense.

Nigzcurran · 22-08-2025 11:52PM

I think the op means that the engineer said "we don't give a copy of it out but we do have it (the insurance)"

deandean · 22-08-2025 11:58PM

Why did you choose that engineer in the first place?

Let me guess. His was the lowest cost.

You get the service you pay for.

muffler · 23-08-2025 12:47AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123746351#Comment_123746351

That makes sense. He is entitled to a copy of it though.

kraken208 · 23-08-2025 12:54AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123746321#Comment_123746321

I have the login for the bcar and opened the file that he had submitted

He specifically said "we" have PI cover which made me think did he mean via his main job and not his 1 man operation.

kraken208 · 23-08-2025 12:58AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123746362#Comment_123746362

Seems a bit presumptuous….. why so defensive?

anyway I will tell you straight up it's about 4k. it's one of the items i actually didn't price around regrettably so I couldn't tell you if he is the cheapest or not.

recommended by my builder

Mellor · 23-08-2025 05:09AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123746419#Comment_123746419

I highly doubt he was referring to his main job, as he couldn’t be that stupid.

and when I asked for his PI insurance he said that would never be handed out but we do have it.

This is a huge flag for me. PI should be provide prior to signing somebody up.

Do you have a contract with this guy? Is PI is the contract? I’d be withholding final payment PI was provided.

lmk123 · 23-08-2025 06:46AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058422509/is-my-engineer-pulling-a-fast-one

so he won’t show you his PI insurance almost certainly because he doesn’t have it, he sent in the wrong details, probably details for another house and he’s just changed the name on the title block, the builder recommended him and he’s giving details to the builder over the phone, to me it sounds like the builder knew that he couldn’t really care less and he will be able to do things his own way with this engineer, you can’t even really check things against a drawing by the sounds of it and he can just say “oh ya I asked the engineer about that and that’s the way he told me to do it”. €4k for nothing by the sounds of it

muffler · 23-08-2025 08:49AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123746419#Comment_123746419

Thanks for that. It's never a great idea to engage an engineer recommended by the contractor but it is what it is now. I would suggest you send a letter or email to the engineer requesting a copy of his insurance and an explanation as to why he submitted the wrong detail. It's important to have everything in writing. You should also get a copy of the detail that was given to the contractor.

Have you paid him in full yet? If not you need to withhold any further payment until the above matters are resolved.

kraken208 · 23-08-2025 10:35AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123746480#Comment_123746480

I hope he wouldn't be also. Just he nearly seemed insulted and surprised I had asked for it and made out it was not something he'd ever give out.

I wasn't asking for the full policy, only a cover letter that I assumed was standard practice.

He agreed to reply in writing (which he has done) that he had insurance and it can be provided to solicitors on request. He knows there are no solicitors or drawdowns etc involved.

No contract, has all been phone dealings so I decided to specify via email exactly what I was getting and PI request was part of that email.

kraken208 · 23-08-2025 10:40AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123746506#Comment_123746506

It did appear to be a re used detail with title block changed yes. In hindsight I was very naive to accept that recommendation. But I was getting a lot of recommendations of different trades ect at the time but will know for again.

No payment made yet but I fear I can't change as we are wall plate level now.

kraken208 · 23-08-2025 10:47AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123746617#Comment_123746617

No payment, have just received invoice 1.

Id say there are zero detail given to contractor only verbal.

What are the potential repercussions of not having correct foundation details in bcar? Is he just keeping things moving or avoiding extra work?

He mentioned they'd come looking for all sorts of he submitted a raft but isn't that because it's an engineered foundation?

I guess even though I've not paid I might be left high and dry with no other engineer willing to give me compliance after the build if I tried to change or am I wrong to think that?

Thanks.

Penn · 23-08-2025 11:44AM

I wouldn't be overly concerned with the wrong foundation detail being submitted at commencement stage of BCAR. Oftentimes these details have to change anyway based on ground conditions once excavated, changes to specification etc. The main thing is that suitable and compliant construction details are used for construction, including appropriate design and construction certifications, and then submitted as part of as-built drawings & certifications at the end of the project.

But there's clearly a breakdown in trust with your engineer, and he seems to be being unnecessarily obstructive and evasive. Chances are he's doing the job as a nixer on his own but under the PII of the company he works for.

kraken208 · 23-08-2025 12:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123746918#Comment_123746918

Thanks Penn,

That's good to know re BCAR.

When you say design & construction certs, this is opt out so I was told no inspection certs provided only opinion on Substantial Compliance for planning and building regs. Does that sound about right?

Yes definitely just feel like the bare minimum is being done and also suspected the nixer is under PII of company.

That is not good as the contract will not be with them. I will confirm it's directly with his own company to be safe.

Victor · 23-08-2025 12:26PM

"and when I asked for his PI insurance he said that would never be handed out but we do have it." - many PI policies say that you aren't allowed publicise certain details, in particular the insured amount.

They can however get their insurer / broker to write a letter to say "We confirm that X has sufficient PI to cover this project" or similar.

standardg60 · 23-08-2025 12:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123746958#Comment_123746958

https://www.propertyhealthcheck.ie/faqs-about-opinion-on-compliance-for-exempt-developments/

Confirm in writing that you'll be receiving details of his own PI with the opinion of compliance as above before you hand over any payment as it does sound like there's a bit of sharp practice going on.

If you're not happy don't be afraid to seek advice/quote from another firm. 4k sounds a bit strong for what you're actually getting especially with questions over PI.

kraken208 · 23-08-2025 01:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123747002#Comment_123747002

Thanks, that's exactly what I expected. not a full policy.

Is my Engineer pulling a fast one?

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