Lord Simcoe, Brampton – Emergency Structural Repair After Unsafe DIY Renovation

The Lord Simcoe project was a serious emergency structural repair caused by unsafe work completed during a previous renovation. The homeowner had hired a low‑skill “contractor” to update the main floor and kitchen. During that renovation, two load‑bearing walls were removed and replaced with makeshift 2×4 supports for drywall that were never designed to carry structural loads. The work was finished quickly, payment was taken, and within a few months, the house began to collapse.

By the time the homeowner called us, they were desperate to stabilize the home. They had even purchased a few 2×4s themselves and installed them in the kitchen in an attempt to prevent further sagging. Although our crew was already committed to another project, we drove to Brampton immediately to install proper temporary supports and secure the structure until full repairs could be scheduled.

When we returned to complete the remediation, we uncovered additional unsafe conditions:

• Bulkheads that were supposed to be beams were found to be completely empty, made only of drywall framing.
• Electrical boxes had been screwed directly into a plumbing drain pipe — a severe fire hazard and a major building code violation.

Given the urgency, we rearranged our schedule and prioritized the repair. We installed two engineered LVL beams in accordance with the initially intended structural layout and restored the proper load path. The full remediation was completed in two long workdays, returning the home to a safe, stable condition. The homeowner then had to redo all the finishing work a second time.

A few years later, the same homeowner contacted us again for structural work on a new property. We explained our standard process — site visit, structural drawings, building permit, and insurance documentation before any work begins. They chose not to follow this safe approach. We can only hope they selected a qualified contractor this time, for their own safety and peace of mind.

This project remains a clear reminder of why structural work must always be handled by trained professionals following engineered plans, proper permitting, and safe building practices. When it comes to structural integrity, the cheapest quote often carries the highest risk — and can lead to far more costly and dangerous problems later. Choosing the right team from the start protects both the home and the people living in it.