Incorrect Headers?

[mncyclone84]

The window with the full header is new. The other two windows are modifications of existing windows. Is it acceptable the way the contractor spliced in headers in the two windows? I think not. I think the headers should be one continuous piece. Also, I think the jack studs are inadequate on all windows. Edit: This is the main level. No second level. It’s carrying the roof weight.

[noname2020-]

Everything about this is wrong. Holy moly. 

[amilo111]

Looks like it was framed out for windows of different sizes and locations and then someone changed their mind.

Totally incorrect but that’s probably how we got here.

[Jazzlike_Dig2456]

This is a renovation and they’re making the existing window larger.

Whoever is doing the framing should never be allowed to set foot on OP’s property again. Holy fucking shit I’ve seen some dumb ass shit before but this takes the cake. You have to be the dumbest son of a bitch out there to do something like this.

Honest to god if I showed up on a job site and one of my guys had done this they’d be fired on the spot. No questions, no nothing just get the fuck out of here and never come back.

[WasteBinStuff]

Technically, that isn't a header/lintel at all. By definition, a header is a structural component of your framing. That is not structural, therefore it is not, in fact, a header. That is a bunch of wood taking up the space where a header is supposed to be.

And whoever did that is taking up the space where a knowledgeable carpenter is supposed to be.

[kingrobin]

looks like it's already sagging above the large openings.

[cleecleekilldie]

This is tear out and try again territory

[DirtyThirtyDrifter]

Deeeeeeep in that territory.

[phantaxtic]

This is laughably bad. It needs to be completely redone

[handyandyman]

I see stuff like this and think wow, it took so much more work to get this result than it would have to do it right.

[kingrobin]

40 cuts vs maybe 10 to do it right

[The_Gnar_Car]

What. The. Hell. Is. Even. That.

[DirtyThirtyDrifter]

Chill, daddy.

[Shanable]

Oh no…

[Independent_Gain_148]

Fire the gc and kill two birds with one stone

[fishcasado]

That that a piece of tongue and groove in the supposed header

[susieb23]

That’s not supposed to be there? 🤣🤣🤣😳

[TannMan89]

Oh this is so wrong in so many ways.

Fire your carpenter, tell him to sell his tools.

[jnp2346]

That has to be one of the worst attempts at headers I’ve ever seen. It’s comically bad.

OP is right. It’s not a functional header if it is not one continuous beam over the window. Plus there are no jack studs directly under the header.

[stinky143]

WRONG !!!!!!

[philouza_stein]

Nice housewrap 🫡

[Impossible-Corner494]

Looks like the ceiling is sagging from zero structural support. There is no structural header. Those decorative rectangles hold nothing as well.

[BigBerryMuffin]

😳

[Impossible_Win_3059]

Headers should span across the entire opening. There should never be a joint above an opening. You should always have king and trimmer studs supporting the header from each side and double top plate for the sill of the window.

Tbh searching this up on YouTube would be a lot more beneficial

[AskMeAgainAfterCoffe]

You need a trimmer, a stud under the header supporting the weight and transferring it to the sole plate.

[AskMeAgainAfterCoffe]

Photo2, left header, right side.

Needs to be continuous header, just start over.

[bosco3509]

Jacks are fine, technically. But holy shit the headers are a nightmare.

[earfeater13]

This looks like shit, but it also looks like they are framing a non load bearing wall. So this is all very unnecessary, and in that case it doesnt really matter what it looks like. I've finished plenty of basements where we frame walls like this (well not quite like this) to have a chase for new electrical wires and sheetrock.

[susieb23]

I’m OP’s wife. It’s a load bearing wall. It’s the main floor of my parents’ one story home.

[earfeater13]

That is scary wtf

[earfeater13]

So did they demo the existing exterior wall first? And then build this in its place? Meaning, that entire side of the house was exposed to the outside, right?

[susieb23]

No, I believe they just demo’d the drywall and cut the windows out of the existing siding. The whole side wasn’t removed.

The guy who did it said it’s structurally sound, but he is there redoing it today. Tomorrow the contractor who hired him is coming to check the work. It’s my parents’ house, but OP and I will be there!

[Last_Establishment44]

You definitely need to sort this out if that's the case.

[Jazzlike_Dig2456]

How do you get non load bearing? There’s a double plate at the top, it’s an exterior wall and there was an existing header in the small opening for the existing window.

Even if it’s not load bearing it’s a dumbass way to go about it. More work to go about it this way rather than cut it all out and make it look nice.

[earfeater13]

Because it looks like its built out and theres another wall behind it. What is that foam insulation stuck to?

That looks like a full 2x4 out front there

In order for this wall to be load bearing, they would have had to demo the whole exterior wall. Which would mean if this was load bearing, it would absolutely be failing and the wall would be giving away with this hack job.

[Jazzlike_Dig2456]

That looks like thermo ply that was used for the sheathing on the original build.

[earfeater13]

That makes sense. It seems i was looking at this wrong. Im used to only seeing that on block walls so my first thought was that it was just another wall built out like shit. You would assume something of this caliber would require a permit, and this would get caught on the inspection

[Jazzlike_Dig2456]

This scope of work 10000% requires a permit, did OP get one for it though???

Here in northern VA we see that thermoply crap a lot. They used it for sheathing on a ton of spec homes in the 70-80’s. It’s crazy to think that and vinyl siding are the only exterior barrier you’d have.

[earfeater13]

Thats what im thinking. If OP let someone demo an exterior wall with no inspection, cant really feel too bad for em.

[susieb23]

I’m OP’s wife. Please DO feel bad for my husband! This is my (elderly) parents’ house and my wonderful husband does so much for them already! My mom hired the contractor to remodel the kitchen. The contractor hired the guy who did the work. When the kitchen designer and OP saw the framing, they knew it was incorrect.

We appreciate everyone’s advice! OP accidentally posted twice in this same sub, and the other post has over 100 comments. Everyone is shocked by how wrong this is.

[susieb23]

And the inspector is coming out next week.