We live in a very small town and cannot find an actual engineer. However, what I mentioned above is what we have been told but it just doesn't seem safe enough to me for two sets of 2x4s acting as beams at each end of the LVLs to hold the weight of the roof. Of course, the bracing over the existing is also putting some of the weight on the walls. I just want to be sure my roof ain't gonna cave in on my head.

If you're doing this type of work, it's going to require an inspection. You should have gotten plans that needed to be approved in order to get a permit. If not, I'm afraid you're setting yourself up for a world of hurt. I hope your contractor or whoever is doing the work took care of this.

Never mind! I thought I might be able to get a second opinion on here instead of a few people thinking that I have no idea what I am doing. Our contractor that told US what to do, said that we don't have to have a permit or inspection, which I verified with the city, I was just looking for another person's take on the subject. I certainly will NOT do that again. WOW!!!!!!!

Lynn-please don't take offense. Tone and intention is often misconstrued when you're not having a face to face conversation with someone. I was basing my answer on the information provided in your question. More often than not, these types of questions come up when someone isn't provided proper information from the professional with whom they're working. Since the work you're doing is structural, it surprises me that no permits or inspections are needed. However, if that's the case in your situation, I'm sure your contractor knows what he's doing and you should be fine based on his knowledge. Since I'm not a structural engineer or licensed contractor, I can't provide you with a knowledgeable opinion. It sounds as though you've done your due diligence and I wish you luck with your project.

My husband and I have flipped houses for years, him more years than me (haha) but it is not our primary business. We are computer geeks for a living and decided that we have done this for everyone else, it is time to do it for ourselves for a change. It just seems like not enough bracing to me and I was just posting the question to see if anyone had any other additional information.

Get a second professional opinion, maybe a third.... No place to make a mistake

Got my answer today! Had a friend come by that is a structural engineer and I didn't realize it.. Everything we are doing is correct and he even told us a few ways to save some money and time.

Often times, lumber yards in remote areas provide structural information as it relates to their load-bearing beam products. They have computer programs that can identify beam sizes and framing materials as long as they have all pertinent information.

Susan, we got the information that we needed and got it confirmed.

I am a contractor and that doesn't seem like enough support. We're are the LANs going? Are your trusses sitting on the wall you are takin out!

They will be. We got it all covered with the braces going all the way to the foundation. I am trying to figure out how to clear this question from being active

The laws of gravity and physics don't take a vacation just because an area doesn't enforce the IRC. Building codes aren't an ''inconvenience''. They are merely the lowest quality of safety and structural integrity that has found to be acceptable by a body of experts. No one says you have to do the minimum. Just more of the usual ''it'll get me by''. Until it won't.

You need an Architect or a Structural engineer, unless you want to wear your roof one day.

I'm sorry you're offended.

This is what happens when you turn to a group of people you've never met and ask a vague question. You all kinds of responses that you don't anticipate. It's no different than if you went down to the mall with a PA system, set it up in the food court and asked a question allowing anyone who wants to respond to do so. You're going to get all sorts of responses that have nothing to do with your question.

Sometimes you're money ahead to pay a pro for the info instead of post a question on a forum. It reminds of some of the questions I used to see on a health forum I was on. People would actually post that they were having chest pain, and could it be a heart attack! Talk about foolish!

Lynn-good to hear you have the proper opinion. Good luck on your project!

You contractor is wrong. You need architectural drawings and provide existing condition and as builds and cross section detail of structural modification and you need to obtain a building permit.

OKAY PEOPLE ! I MADE a MISTAKE. PLEASE DON'T GIVE ME ANY MORE ADVICE. I had a engineer look at it and the guy that inspects and both told me we are right. SO, I NO LONGER NEED ADVISE. PLEASE STOP