HVAC installer chizzled away structural column

[Andreas W.]

At a house inspection I found out that the installer of a packaged HVAC unit removed almost all of a foundation column in the crawlspace to rout the flex air duct from the unit. Why he didn't install the HVAC a foot to the left or right is beyond my imagination. As a result, the corresponding girder rests on the non-load bearing brick wall. The house inspector recommends to call in a structural engineer followed by a GC. I am not sure if I want to pay an engineer as my due diligence. Did anyone of you encounter a like minded problem and just build up a new column three feet next to the mauled one?

[J Scott]

Yes, we've done that. But never without the advice of a structural engineer. First, I don't have enough confidence in my engineering ability to be certain that the load is properly dissipated. Second, I don't want the liability of my being wrong. And third, it will look bad when you disclose to a buyer that you did this, but then have to admit that you didn't get engineering sign-off.