I find that Houzz people have a lot of experience and would like their opinion. Do you believe everything your contractor tells you? Maybe my question should have been " have you removed lally columns and replaced with steel beams and if you have, did you find any issues afterwards".

There would be no issues structurally provided the new beam was specified coirrectly by the engineer and installed by the steel company. Depending on the span and load you may find that the steel beam lowers your head room considerably, but the largest effect will be to your checkbook.

2 common issues.

Getting the beams into the basement and into place.

Many times the existing structure isn't straight, but the beam is. There might be some jacking/shimming involved (which can cause issues above).

Beams need a column on each end for support. The columns need a footing to support the load transmitted down through the column. Connections for the beam to the column and from the column to the footing must also be designed, fabricated and installed.

So, the point is that there's more to this than simply specifying and installing some steel beams.

But if you are working with a structural engineer s/he will know all this and take care of it. Yes, it's feasible and done all the time. Cost, however, is another matter. Get your checkbook ready.

@millworkman, thanks for your input. I didn't think about the loss in headroom especially in the basement.

@ksc36, thanks for the input. The engineer didn't mention the jacking. Since I have tile right above, that probably would not be a good thing to do.

@Virgil Carter Fine Art, thanks for the input. I didn't know that the connections from the column to the footing needs to also be fabricated and installed. This seems much more involved than I thought. The engineer didn't mention any of that to me. From a cost perspective, it doesn't seem worthwhile. If I were building a new house, I would definitely consider this, but for renovation - doesn't seem worth the cost or hassle.

Since I always finished the basements in my builds, I paid special attention to the structural steel, limiting the number of posts and arranging the finished space so the posts always ended up within walls or closets.

Tract builders typically use lots of posts, or even block walls, as that saves the cost of large steel beams and the $300 an hour cranes used to place them.

Meluky, all of this is normal and expected for the type of construction you are describing. There's nothing special or unusual about it. It's so "normal" that the structural engineer didn't bother discussing it with you in specific terms.

The real question, I think, is whether or not the expense makes economic sense for you. You won't know that until you get some prices from builders.

Good luck!

Getting rid of columns is a great way to increase usable space.

But seriously, you got an eng to approve and are now checking with GW?

Money makes anything happen. How badly do you want this?

@strategery, yes, I am checking because I find that the people who respond on houzz, especially the pros, have a wealth of information. I didn't get the eng to approve - here is what happened. The person came to the house, didn't look at any blueprint or architectural plans, spent 10 minutes looking at the beams in my basement, told me I can remove all the lally columns and just attach a steel beam to the girders that I currently have. That was the extent of the visit. Maybe that is all that it takes. I don't know and that is why I am asking the question.

Thank you everyone for your input! I always appreciate the time people take out of their busy days to respond. I got some good input and things I need to ask and think about.

Have the beam sized. It may be that the beam hangs down so low that it is more intrusive than six columns.

You were smart to consult with an engineer, and you are now wise to want answers to your additional concerns. This is of vital importance, and you should feel confident before moving ahead. I would speak with another engineer or two for a second (or third) opinion, just as you might with a doctor.

Thanks Mark, that's a good point. If the beam is so big that it hangs down, I would lose headroom and it would be more of a pain than just keeping the lally columns.

@bluesanne, thanks! I do feel like I need to get another engineer and see what they say. Right now, it seems like it is more hassle than its worth to remove the lally columns.

6 in such a small space seems curious to me, having never seen that many. Two story house? That would make the beam job even more complicated than with a single story house.

Ask that engineer to explain why so many, there might be ways to remove a couple

Yes, two story house. I am also not sure why there are so many in this small space. I'll ask the engineer. I made an appt with another one to come later this week to get another opinion. At this point though, I am thinking it might be more of a hassle to remove.

A verbal opinion is worth the paper it's written on!

You want the engineer' or architect's expertise on paper with recommended sizes and drawings with their professional stamps on it. That way they are legally liable in case it fails.