There are a few key indicators that we use to determine if a wall is load-bearing. 1) The direction of ceiling joists – if the joists are perpendicular to the wall, then there is a chance that the wall is bearing the load of the ceiling joists. 2) The location of the wall in relation to the support wall/steel beam in the basement. 3) Roof structure – Whether the house has a self-supporting roof with trusses or if it has rafters resting on interior walls. We always consult with a structural engineer before proceeding with a project – They aid us in doing load calculations and submitting permit drawings.

In order to remove a load-bearing wall, we need to transfer the load that is weighing on the wall to an alternate location, which has a solid foundation going all the way down to the basement. The most common approach is to use a structural beam (steel or LVL engineered wood). With this approach, we essentially transfer the load through the structural beam, down the support posts on either end, and down to the foundation of the house.

In most cases, the structural portion of the work is completed in about 2-3 days. It’s the work that comes after, such as relocating electrical wires, HVAC, and finishing, which can take another 3-4 days on average. We recommend that you put aside about two weeks for the project.

It is highly recommended that you get a permit for any structural work and our structural engineer will take care of the whole process for you. The costs involved generally depend on a few factors: 1) Whether there are existing drawings that can be used 2) The square footage of the home 3) The complexity of the engineering work. Most of the time, the cost, including engineer’s fees, and application fees, will run anywhere between $1,500-$2,500.

Glad you asked! Here’s an overview of the process: 1) We come to your home and discuss the wall removal options, and the rough costs involved. 2) We schedule a visit by our engineer, where he will ensure that our plan-of-action is safe, and will take measurements for load calculations. 3) We communicate with the engineer throughout the permit process, which generally takes about 2-3 weeks. 4) Once the permit application is approved, we will start the work and get the ball rolling!