CASE STUDY
A well-planned project. A seriously dangerous build. And a call that came just in time.
Structural failure on a residential extension
BGP on site within one hour of being contacted
Structure stabilised, project rescued and successfully completed
This was not a poorly planned project.
The client came to us managing a residential extension on behalf of her elderly parents. She had done a great deal right. An architect had been engaged. A detailed design had been developed. Structural input had been obtained. The scope of works had been carefully agreed. This was not a project that started badly. The planning phase had been handled with genuine care and diligence.
She had also approached builder selection sensibly. She obtained multiple quotes and deliberately avoided both the cheapest and the most expensive options, settling on a contractor whose pricing sat in the middle of the range. The contractor presented professionally — an active social media presence, images of completed projects, and a polished outward appearance.
Work began. And then things started to go wrong.
The signs were there. But they were easy to miss.
Progress on site was inconsistent. Work would happen in bursts and then slow without explanation. Payment requests continued to arrive and were paid — but when the client looked carefully at what had actually been built, the money paid was running significantly ahead of the work completed.
She began to suspect that something was wrong. Not just with the pace of the project, but with the quality of the work itself. She contacted us.
We were on site within the hour. What we found was alarming.
The rear wall of the property had been removed as part of the extension works. A structural steel box frame had been installed — in line with the engineer's design. But it had not been correctly positioned or aligned.
The frame was not properly supporting the upper floors or the roof. Load paths were not being transferred correctly. The stability of the structure was compromised.
This was not a minor defect or a cosmetic problem. This was a serious structural failure with direct safety implications for anyone in or around the building. All work was stopped immediately.
What happened in the days that followed.
1
Works halted immediately
All construction activity was paused to prevent any further risk to the structure or to people on site.
2
Specialist structural engineers engaged urgently
We brought in structural engineers to review the installation, assess the stability of the building, and design temporary support measures.
3
Temporary supports installed
The structure was stabilised to prevent further movement or deterioration while the full extent of the problem was assessed.
4
Defective work fully documented
A detailed review identified exactly what had been incorrectly executed and what would need to be removed and rebuilt.
5
Contractor carefully disengaged
This stage is frequently mishandled. We managed the process to protect the client's position entirely — no confrontation, no admissions of liability, and no further financial exposure.
6
New team appointed
We identified and appointed competent builders and the appropriate structural professionals to complete the works correctly.
7
Controlled demolition and correct reconstruction
Defective elements were carefully dismantled and removed. The structure was rebuilt in accordance with engineering requirements, properly aligned and verified at every stage.
8
Project completed
With proper oversight in place, progress became structured and predictable. Payments were aligned with actual work completed. The project was brought to a successful conclusion.
What was saved.
The structural integrity of the property was fully restored. The extension was completed correctly. The client's parents were not displaced from their home for any longer than necessary.
There was financial and emotional cost - that is the honest reality of a situation like this. But early intervention prevented what could have become a catastrophic and potentially irreversible failure. Had the structural problem gone undetected and the build continued, the consequences could have been far more serious and far more expensive to resolve.
The difference between a manageable crisis and a disaster was one phone call, made at the right moment.
Five things this project teaches every homeowner.
A good design does not guarantee a good build
Even a well-engineered project can fail if execution is not properly monitored. Design and construction are two entirely different disciplines.
Social media is not a reference
A polished online presence tells you nothing about a builder's competence on site. This contractor looked impressive. The reality was very different.
Mid-range pricing is not a safety signal
The instinct to avoid the cheapest quote is sensible. But the middle of the range is not automatically safe. Price tells you almost nothing about quality or capability.
Payments must track progress
Once a client has overpaid significantly, their leverage disappears. Payment should always be tied to verified, completed stages of work — not to requests.
Speed of intervention matters enormously
The sooner a problem is identified and addressed, the more options you have and the lower the cost of resolution. Every day of delay narrows those options.
Worried your project might be heading in the wrong direction?
You do not have to wait until it becomes a crisis. If something feels wrong — payments are running ahead of progress, the builder is not turning up, the quality is not what you were promised — get in touch now. Early intervention is always better than late rescue.