Ran across this gem today. Obviously it’s a hack job but does it warrant an engineer? New construction. I really want to tell my client to inquire with the builder and stay close to this. I know how I would fix it but I’m even reluctant to provide any solutions here being such a serious structural issue. What do you guys think?
State your concern first and the potential consequence. There is no error here as long as you recommend repair/correction. Aim high and remove the question mark 
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It requires correction by a qualified structural contractor. Personally, I don’t specify engineer specifically, as they fall under the umbrella of a qualified structural contractor, in my opinion.
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I do for engineered systems such as roof trusses and engineered floor systems. But I agree with your statement with this LVL, good idea.
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I agree and generally do the same. Our profession is so overrun with inspectors calling for structural engineers that it’s ridiculous. An over-notched joist under a bathroom? Yeah, “Chuck in a truck” should be able to handle that one. I can’t imagine a scenario that we’d be held responsible for a minor/moderate thing when we just call for a contractor and not an engineer.
Over-prescribing just cheapens our industry and makes us look like like scared, incompetent fools. The size of the gun should be in line with the fight.
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Morning, Joshua. Hope to find you in good health and spirits this morning.
Any images further back?
You sure the beam is LVL and not a build-up beam or onsite glulam?
I ask this because there are several fasteners, not enough or properly spaced, near the end of the beam. Typically build-up beams and onsite glulam beams are constructed by nailing/fastening lengths of floor joists lumber together. When there is glue sandwiched between the lumber it becomes a site manufactured glulam. Manufactured Glulam’s are made by gluing together – under pressure and heat – laminates of lumber that have been accurately planed.
As home inspectors we refer. We do not explain how to fix things.
Observation. Structural. Beam.
LVL beam; poorly secured to load bearing shims below and balanced at the foundation.
Recommend a licensed general contractor with inhouse structural engineer to further review and improve the beams end bearing.
Act uponany recommendtions therein.
If it is new construction, I refer them to the contractor AND local building official. That usually gets things addressed.
And conversely, the DIY recommendation trend (typically seen within one specific report software, why is that?)
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We all know how that typically goes… thus the call out for professionals.
If/when it gets all ‘effed up… don’t come cryin’ to me!!
I don’t have time to look up the code, but I think beams on masonry blocks should be filled with concrete.
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I don’t know what state you’re in. In Michigan, code requires 3 inches of bearing on concrete. I would call out further evaluation by a qualified engineer to prescribe repairs due to the beam bearing on half of a broken cement block. Here is the code MI follows:
R502.6 Bearing.
The ends of each joist, beam or girder shall have not less than 11/2 inches (38 mm) of bearing on wood or metal and not less than 3 inches (76 mm) on masonry or concrete except where supported on a 1-inch by 4-inch (25 mm by 102 mm) ribbon strip and nailed to the adjacent stud or by the use of approved joist hangers. The bearing on masonry or concrete shall be direct, or a sill plate of 2-inch-minimum (51 mm) nominal thickness shall be provided under the joist, beam or girder. The sill plate shall provide a minimum nominal bearing area of 48 square inches (30 865 square mm).
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Yep wrong reference, right comment…The 3 inch minimum still applies
Although technically the structure as a whole is “engineered”, I wouldn’t be recommending a Structural Engineer for further evaluation on this issue unless I was worried about inadequate end bearing, which IMO would require a Structural Engineer.
If the end bearing is not a problem (which is hard to discern with the picture posted) and your only concern is with compression, it’s a straightforward fix that any decent contractor worth his salt should easily be able to correct.
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Agree with the above, no structural engineer. You should have confidence to call this out or not. Depending on the span and loading at that location, you might be fine. Is there compression damage to the shims or any signs of failure? One possible configuration: treated 2 x 6’s laid flat with two sets of shims.
If you want to get technical, you are going to have to learn how to determine how much weight is bearing at that location and whether the square inches of bearing wood are adequate. The shims are the weak point. That’s basic carpenter engineering, beyond the SOP, but something a good carpenter will often do - or not.
I agree many of us here can prescribe repairs, however, that goes beyond our SOP. Lessor qualified inspectors taking this stance can result in liability issue’s in the future. In this instance, the ball should be passed to someone “qualified” to make the repair decisions
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And also “handyman.” Not a fan.
For me, when it is something that can most times be completed by DIY or handyman, I just don’t make a recommendation on who performs the task. As an example, for my narrative on clogged gutters, my recommendation is: “Gutters should be cleaned as soon as possible.”
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I like things like this, too. Result-based directions. I remember fairly early in my career an agent was just convinced that I needed to tell the drainage contractor where to put trenches in a crawl space. My biz partner at the time (albeit sometimes cranky) fielded a phone call from said agent and I’ve always loved what he told him - “I don’t care if he waves a dead chicken and prays in the crawl space… as long as it drains properly he did it right.”
Another once I’ve always liked is using the word “properly” into directions. It’s nice to have that to fall back on at a re-inspection, etc. For example, the recommendation to “support the beam” is REALLY open-ended and could be done with toothpicks. Adding the work “properly” gives one the ability to cite codes, best-practices, etc.
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Now that is down right hilarious!