loft stairs

[what..the?]

Dear buildersmate, albags

On my loft conversion I have a second set of stairs that now go up into the loft and as a result we have a small box shaped void on the ceiling of one of the bedrooms below where the stairs sweep round above. They created the box and it was in place as expected to other day I visited site, but now they have added large pillars to the box on the ceiling to offer it extra support, which takes floor space out of the bedroom. They said they would put a door on it for a cupboard but I don't like it. The project manager said this was always planned but when we spoke it was just the box void not the legs, to the extent I said I could put a lower piece of furniture below? Can anyone offer any assistance, is it normal to add legs to these bulkheads?

Thanks

[AlBags]

It's probably because of the position the landing of the upper staircase ends up .. I would presume thay are doing this because the structural support is in question at that point.
Maybe there is a way of strengthening the landing area of this stair under floorboards? .. Or is everything laid already?
What type of staircase is it .. and what are the sizes of the loft floor (new bedroom ceiling)?
Have they maybe forgotten to include strengthened area for the staircase landing/top support.

[The Builder]

I know what Al is saying ............ it all depends on where and how, the stairs "land" on the floor at the top tread. Normally this would be "trimmed" with extra timber to take the load. Sometimes a beam is needed to carry the head of the stairs. This would run across the room between two support points. If there's nowhere to carry a beam, then possibly, that's why a post is needed.
Any chance of some more of your pics? I'm nosey to see how it's going.

[what..the?]

I don't really know the answers to any of these questions but I will try and take some photos of the stairs and the supports to show you, i will be down Monday so will take some. Thanks.

[what..the?]

I the mean time albags and buildersmate... I have been talking with a new mate who is a local builder, I was telling him about the problem I have been having getting my roof timbers back. Basically it's a victorian house 4 bed. I asked the builders in advance to keep any burnable wood on site for my wood burner which will be installed for winter but sure enough as soon and the timbers came off they were on the back of a truck and away without my knowledge. Since I have asked for them back through the project manager, half the timbers are supposed to be back on site now. Looked and there's no real timbers in the pile just it's just small rubbishy bits. I have asked them to bring the rest back from the guy, they said he is using it for his wood burner (ironic), and has taken it for free to take waste off the site. They say he has chopped the rest up and as he has spent time chopping it he doesn't want to give it back. My project manager says maybe we could ask for £200 compensation from the builder to get new logs. I said - no I want the timbers back, still refusing. Then tonight this builder guy says that Victorian roof timbers are worth a lot of money 'each' and are worth more than just firewood. I would like to have peoples view on the timbers worth, as I need to claim for this, if they have been sold on then it's theft as they were never to leave the site in the first place.

[buildersmate]

The company has acknowledged its mistake in not preventing one of the workers taking the timbers away, by offering you money for the timber - I'd negotiate on that amount rather than fretting about getting the actual timber back, which you wanted for burning anyway.
Victorian roofs are made of good quality timber but I don't see them having a particular market value.

[what..the?]

thanks, sorry I keep thinking you and 'the builder' are the same, sorry 'the builder' I keep missing you out

[The Builder]

This simple lack of bl**dy communication really winds me up. Usually, a builder contracts to remove all waste and spoil from the site ......... as part of the deal. ......... In this case, he was told otherwise........ simple. He obviously didn't tell his guys anything about the arrangement (probably subcontractors anyway).
I agree with Buildersmate. Have your "project manager" arrange compensation, Mrs What. A promise is a promise, even if it's only firewood!

As to other value. Possibly, if the principal trusses are involved. (Nice chunky 9x4 pine possibly.) I guess, though, that it was just the old rafters involved. (3x2, full of nails........... only good for firewood.)

[The Builder]

Hi Mrs What ................. I know we've been over this before, but your PM really should be looking after your interests since you're not living nearby.

[AlBags]

I am a bit more suspicious, I'm afraid.
I think 'they' had another use for them. If so, they will be at another place already.

[what..the?]

just spoke to a local reclamation yard he said they are worth something, send him a photo of one I have left on site with a tape measure next to it and he will tell me what it is worth. I don't think it will go down well though, the PM doesn't like me questioning things. It's hard the know if they have used them as firewood or sold them on but if I ask for them back and instead of compensation ask for the guy who has chopped them to be compensated for his time chopping then if they still don't appear maybe they are somewhere else, being used against my wishes. Someone told me it was theft?

[AlBags]

Well it is theft, unless a clause in agreement covers removal of any building waste.
PM can lump it .. He is supposed to have answers ready for everything .. else he is not a manager!

[what..the?]

Hi guys here's the photos, hope you like them

'The Builder' I know you said you wanted a nosy :)

[what..the?]

http://www.flickr.com...57307/in/photostream/

[The Builder]

Ok ....... got it now. I guess you want to get rid of the near-left post (as you look at the photo)?
I can see why it's there, structurally. The way I would deal with it would be to remove the post and "hang" that quarter-landing from above........ replace the post with one that goes right up to the ceiling on the next floor up.
Trouble is, we can't see from here what's up there.
None of those posts in the pic are necessary. Two adjacent stud walls and a hanger from upstairs are all you need Mrs What :o))))

[what..the?]

I think above is just a sloping ceiling, I have a site visit in the morning and will tactfully ask if it is possible to hang from above. thanks a lot for the help, as it is potentially the master bedroom it would be a shame to loose space xxx