Most local authorities allows rear extension up to the boundary with 450mm roof overhang.
Without looking at the actual work, it would not be proper to comment that the construction is not in compliance.
If you take a proper look at some of the earlier photos, you will noticed that the ground beam was constructed below the ground slab. This was so that the beam will not block the doorway (back door)
As to whether the beam was constructed to specification, cannot comment as not much was shown.

So, care to elaborate on whether this should be Suspended or Non suspended?
Why?

The columns are there for a reason. You may remove stiffeners BUT NOT columns without first propping up the supported beams. It is very dangerous as anything may happen. Would suggest that you get your contractor to prop back the beams without any further delay.
I would not stay under the structure until all the temporary props are properly in place.

Better get a structural Engineer to take a look on your proposed new supporting pillar & Beam.

Basically, you need to have the replacement supports in place before you can remove the existing ones.

This post has been edited by kelvyn: Aug 8 2011, 05:14 PM

If the structural beam has been properly designed for, it can even go up to 20' clear span. No problem.

That could also mean that the 1st concreting of the column was not high enough. Thus a 2nd casting of the column and therefore you see the different in colour. All this is OK provided the column's steel bars are extended into the concrete beam.
However, if the column was stopped short and the gap between the top of the column and the bottom of the beam was patch up with cement mortar/ with bricks, then it is a cause for concern.

Am not sure what your contractor have done. I am not implying that what he has done is wrong or anything.
Introducing additional supports at the wrong location can be detrimental as the structure could behave differently from it original intention.

e.g. This is a case that I have come across in a house renovation project years back.
Some car porch are designed as a cantilever structure. Meaning that there is no support at the extreme end. (for aesthetic reason) The contractor then added a support as the house owner wanted to add a RC slab over the car porch. The structure collapse but luckily no one was around when it happened.

For safety sake, I really hope your contractor knows what he is doing.

can use metal deck roof with 5deg pitch.
Nothing is cheap

This also look nice but also more expensive. Can be an alternative provided the existing structure has been designed to cater for the addition loads.

For that matter, if any our your neighbours are renovating, for sure it will be very dusty and noisy. When the workers start hacking work and drilling, this can be a nightmare.
Some inconsiderate house owners even allows their contractors to carry out these noisy work on Sundays as well.

Not many neighbours are like you.
Some just don't give a damn on the inconvenient they caused to others.

Nobody will tell you that renovation is cheap and in most instances, there will be cost overrun.
Just exercise some constraint, don't go over board else will need to dig out the piggy banks

Hi phoenix69,

A bit curious on what did you do as replacement when you removed the 2 RC columns in your living room?
Did you construct any alternative supports?

Hope you you don't mind me saying this.
I suggest that you quickly get your contractor to temporary prop up the bottom of the beams (at the 2 columns location)
Did you get any qualified person to look at the structures where you have removed the 2 columns.
Don't mean to frighten you... Better to be safe then sorry.

There are two different types of these clear/ coloured roofing sheets. There are polycarbonate corrugated sheets and Acrylic corrugated sheets in the market. From what I know the polycarbonate ones are longer lasting against yellowing. It pays to get the better quality ones to avoid the unsightliness of yellowing after a few years due to the sun.

tempered glass is a good option if cost is not an issue

Wow. Your porch looks really spacious

If you are laying the floor tiles, then best if this is done after the plaster ceiling works. Else, the floor tiles can get damage & dirty.
For the wall tiles that are installed till the ceiling level, then would be good to get the wall tiling done before the plaster ceiling. However, if the timing of the 2 different trades cannot match, having the ceiling done before the wall tiles is also OK, provided the ceiling level is predetermined to suit the wall tiles, etc.

It is against the MPSJ's regulation to brick them up.
Anyway, it will block off ventilation as well

IMHO, it should not cost that much to justify the additional RM 1.3 psf that your contractor is charging you. The metal strap is basically secured to the bottom chord of the roof truss

It depends on where you are planning to locate the compressor and the blower unit.
For e.g for most rooms where the blower unit is located just above the window & the compressor unit located just behind the wall. This is what they call back-to-back installation.
The cost for the copper piping (around 10') is included in their price for installation.
No piping will be seen on the inside of the house. Maybe short length will be exposed on the outside. If you are particular about that, then get the installed to put the piping inside PVC casing. Charge per length of the casing. Very cheap only.

Just have to make sure you have install the electrical wiring for AC.

No worries la.... got parents place to stay. Free rental....