Building Control needed?

[xwordmad]

Hello, we lived in a semi... our new neighbours have taken out a patio door today and at the moment there are support strutts there... Does this need building control? Thanks

[buildersmate]

There should normally be a steel or concrete lintel over the aperture so no BC required on structural grounds. However it depends on the age of the property - many an older property has no lintels and the door or window frames hold up the masonry above.
One wonders what he is planning to do there - hardly the weather to be messing around like that. However there is a BC requirement that the thermal performance of a replacement window/door is to current BC standards of thermal performance - and this requires either a contractor who is registered by FENSA to undertake the work or a BC application if not. So you can trip him up on that.
Personally I'd be more bothered about your other thread on stripping the party wall back.

[xwordmad]

thank you for your reply builders mate... Our property is 1930s... so am thinking it would need the strutts ? What is your opinion on the party wall issue? Thanks again.

[xwordmad]

PS my concern is what with the party wall work and now this... some damage to the building may occur ? (other that the damage already stated in the other thread).

[AlBags]

He might just be putting a new frame/door in!
Ask him!

[buildersmate]

I don't tend to cross over on what others are helping with (unless the answerer has got it wrong). JtH is very competent in this area.

[buildersmate]

He might, Al, but I don't see how this would NOT count as a replacement window/door, since it is vitrually impossible to replace the frame without the glass?

[xwordmad]

Albags... we asked and got abuse

[xwordmad]

The frame is out ...

[bednobs]

If he's doing a lot of work, he probably HAS got BC - there's no way of you finding out is there?