Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 12/6/2009

Question
Dear Mr. Johnson,
I just came across your site and found it to be very informative. My question is my house burned down last year and my insurance company gave me contractors who i fill are doing a very poor job. I want to know when you have your house extended out our the contractor suppose to use a solid beam or a lot of would nail together with splits in it due to improper use of the nail gun. they also have one support beam sitting on top of a 2x2 that is split in half from the nail gun? I am very afraid that the first earth quake will bring my house down. What can I do about it?  

Answer
Hi Mary Kay Lewis, it is not uncommon to use multiple 2x8, 2x10 etc. nailed together to make up a 4x8 or 4x10 or even 6x10 beams or larger.  So doing that is acceptable.  The condition of the wood and the way the wood bears on other framing members, however, is not acceptable of it is improperly attached, the quality of the material is not up to standards or inadequate.  I cannot think of any area where you don't need a building permit to do any kind of substantial construction.  If your work is permitted through the city, county or state then you should have building inspectors making inspections of the work as it progresses.  These are the people that you need to show this shoddy craftsmanship to.  The phone number to call is listed right on the front of the building permit.  Call them up and make yourself heard.  These governmental agencies are there to protect you from sub standard work.  Tell your contractor you want to be present whenever he has an inspection, and make sure you are there. If for some reason you don't have a permit then you can hire "home inspection" professionals or a structural engineer to look at the work to verify that it is being done properly.  I hope this information helps please feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson, bejohnsonconsulting.com