Service
Load-Bearing Wall Removal
Opening up a kitchen or living space almost always means taking out something that is holding the house up. The permit needs an engineer to size the beam, check what it lands on, and follow the load all the way to the footing.
What this covers
Scope
- Beam and header sizing for new openings
- Post, bearing, and connection design at each end
- Load path checked down to the footing — not just the beam
- Footing upgrades where the new point loads require them
- Permit-ready stamped drawings and calculations
Process
How a wall removal package works
- 01
Send photos and dimensions
Often enough to quote. Photos of the wall, what is above it, and the basement or crawlspace below.
- 02
Field verification
A site visit when the framing above is unclear or the load path needs to be confirmed.
- 03
Calculations
Beam, post, bearing, and footing checks under current code.
- 04
Stamped plan set
Submitted within about 4 business days, ready for your building department.
Straight answers
Load-Bearing Wall Removal — common questions
How do I know if a wall is load-bearing?
Walls running perpendicular to the floor joists, walls stacked above a beam or another wall, and walls near the middle of the house are common bearing walls — but the only reliable answer comes from tracing the framing. If you are unsure, send photos and we will tell you.
How much does it cost to remove a load-bearing wall?
Engineering starts at $1,000, with calculations and plans submitted within 4 business days. That is the engineering fee only — construction cost depends on the beam size and how much reframing the opening needs.
Do I need a permit?
Essentially always. Removing structure without a permit creates a problem that surfaces later during a sale, when a buyer inspection flags unpermitted structural work.
Related
Often needed alongside this
Remodels & Additions
Additions, second stories, and layout changes all load the existing house in ways it was not originally designed for.
from $2 / sq ft →Structural Inspections & Engineering Letters
A buyer inspection flagged something structural, a city wants a letter, or a seller needs to answer an objection before closing.
from $500 → For the tradeGeneral Contractors & Remodelers
Engineering that keeps the job moving.
Partner sheet →Send photos and I will tell you what it takes.
Fast. Practical. Buildable.