Anonymous wrote:OP here: I asked my husband and the reason we need the pole is because it is where two beams meet. So we already put up the beams I guess.

So get one beam. I took down nearly 30 ft of wall and spanned with a monster I beam. It's complicated and expensive but that's how you do it right.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

OP here: I asked my husband and the reason we need the pole is because it is where two beams meet. So we already put up the beams I guess.

I still don't understand why you didn't put one beam all the way across. ?? It costs a lot, but is worth it.

We were told that wasn't an option? Do you think that was actually an option? I know so little about this stuff that I'm trying to do my best with the info I have been given.

You really need to hire a structural engineer. I can't believe you were able to get a permit without the engineers report. They require them for this very reason - so stupid contractors who only want the job will tell you anything you want to hear so they can get it. And an inspector doesn't have the level of knowledge to determine this for you.

Anonymous wrote:

OP here: I asked my husband and the reason we need the pole is because it is where two beams meet. So we already put up the beams I guess.

I still don't understand why you didn't put one beam all the way across. ?? It costs a lot, but is worth it.

+1 the beam will be steel.

Hire your own structural engineer to evaluate the structure. It might be possible to sister a new beam to the side of the 2 beams they have installed or have a moment bracket designed where the 2 beams meet and a structural engineer can design this for you. I wouldn't accept having a column in the middle of your room. This sounds like a huge oversight on the part of whoever planned this work and should have made you aware of the situation before work even started and before it became too costly to fix.

Put a platform around it, like a mini stage! It'll be fine...

Anonymous wrote:Is it in a place where you could put another one in and then frame them out nicely to look like columns? We have a big one in our living room, but it's framed out and looks nice, despite being in an awkward location.

Ours is square.

Is it in a place where you could put another one in and then frame them out nicely to look like columns? We have a big one in our living room, but it's framed out and looks nice, despite being in an awkward location.

Anonymous wrote:Can't they reinforce the top beam and then remove the vertical pole? How old is the house?

They should be able to do this, but it will be VERY expensive.

Anonymous wrote:

OP here: I asked my husband and the reason we need the pole is because it is where two beams meet. So we already put up the beams I guess.

I still don't understand why you didn't put one beam all the way across. ?? It costs a lot, but is worth it.

We were told that wasn't an option? Do you think that was actually an option? I know so little about this stuff that I'm trying to do my best with the info I have been given.

Are you committed to it "not being the fun kind" of pole? I think you're being a bit premature here. Maybe try it and then decide?

No advice but excellent subject title.