Credit to repair brick support column

14 years ago

We have had the inspection done on a house we are buying and want to ask for a credit for repairing a brick support column on the garage. It is the area of the garage between the two garage doors and is a brick column about a foot wide. It needs 2x4s placed to give support and the the brick will have to be redone (I'm not sure if this requires new brick or not). The inspector indicated that the column is providing no support and can be moved by hand. The brick appears sort of sunken in.

We know that the seller does not want to do repairs and we would prefer a credit anyway. Anyone have any idea how much it would cost to fix something like this?

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Comments (8)

Billl
14 years ago
Don't guess. Get a couple of quotes for the repair and then present them to the seller with your request.
limoncello
14 years ago
Your best bet would be to get an estimate from a qualified local contractor; you can then present the estimate to the seller as justification for the amount of the credit that you request.

If you have no other sources of referrals to contractors, try Angie's List if there is one for your community.
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qdwag
14 years ago
I would seriuosly doubt that the support column is comprised of only brick..My guess is the brick is a facing for a structural support post, and if the support post has "sunk" this is not a DIY project..I'd call a structural engineer to examine the cause of this problem and be certain the beam this post supports(or did support) hasn't sagged..
kats_meow
Original Author
14 years ago
Oh, I agree that the brick is just on the outside and that there is likely a post inside.

I definitely agree it is not a DIY project and would have to be professionally handled.

Part of the issue here for us is that we have a very limited option period and finding someone to give us a quote may not be practical.

This is in a detached garage so is less significant to us than if it was part of the residence.
qdwag
14 years ago
still if the support pillar is failing, it would seem to me that it is being undermined by an underground issue,perhaps a sinkhole,or a water issue..Is the flooring around the pillar sinking,buckling,heaving or cracking?
lyfia
14 years ago
Ask for an extension of the option period to get this looked at.
brickeyee
14 years ago
"I would seriuosly doubt that the support column is comprised of only brick.."

It depends on how old the place is and if the rest is brick.

I had a house a few years ago that was entirely built of brick and block to match the house.

The only posts were for the attic workroom floor.

It would not be uncommon for a brick building to have no other supports.
brickeyee
14 years ago
The garage was brick and block to match the brick veneer house.