Load bearing walls serve a structural purpose in the construction of a home whereas a non load bearing wall simply serves as a partition between rooms. Regardless of the type of wall you're removing, your local building department will require your contractor to pull a permit for the removal of a wall.
You don't need permission to remove an internal wall.
You should not need to apply for planning permission for internal alterations including building or removing an internal wall. If you live in a listed building, however, you will need listed building consent for any significant works whether internal or external.
Non-load-bearing walls, often called “stud walls,” are generally easier to remove without needing building regulations approval. These walls do not support the structure above them and are usually made of timber frames covered with plasterboard.
There are many things to consider such as whether the wall is load bearing, how to transition the flooring where the wall is removed and whether there are there any utilities such as plumbing or electricity in the wall cavity that may have to be moved. It's not as easy as just knocking through to the other side!
The average cost to remove a wall will be $300 to $1,000 for a non-load-bearing wall, or $1,200 to $10,000 for a load-bearing wall. The design of your home will also affect this cost, as wall removal in multi-story houses tends to cost more, particularly if you are removing a wall from the bottom level.
If the wall you want to remove, however, runs parallel to the floor joists and is not supported by foundations or a beam, there's a good chance it is not load-bearing and thus can be removed without compromising the home's structural strength.
The short answer is, yes. In most homes, you can remove any portion of a load-bearing wall. However, this depends on what's inside the wall and how you intend to redistribute the weight.
You should always assume that a wall that interfaces directly with a sturdy concrete foundation is load-bearing and therefore not to be touched. While you're in the basement, look for the first floor joists. The walls that run parallel to those joists are non-load-bearing walls.
Furthermore, if any modifications do not comply with local building regulations, you may face unpleasant consequences further down the line and not be able to sell the property. In summary, if you're planning on knocking down an internal wall, it's not just recommended, but essential, to involve a structural engineer.
Load-bearing walls, as previously mentioned, support the weight of the structure above. Non-load-bearing walls, or partition walls, are used to divide spaces and do not support structural loads.
Planning permission is not required for internal alterations entirely contained within your property.
How to Remove a Loadbearing Wall. You need the expert knowledge of a Structural Engineer who will create the signed and sealed engineering plans to remove the wall and provide adequate support with an alternative, like a beam or column. These plans are required for permitting.
Assess your basement — Look in your basement or crawl space for steel beams or joists. If you spot joists in your basement and there is a wall that runs perpendicular, it's most likely a load-bearing wall. If the wall is parallel above the joists, it's most likely not a load-bearing wall.
Load-bearing walls are integral to your home's structural integrity, supporting weight from the roof and upper floors. Removing a load-bearing wall without proper reinforcement can lead to severe structural damage, including sagging ceilings, cracked walls, or even complete collapse.
Structural Integrity and Safety:
The structure of your any house should never be compromised. Structural engineers play a crucial role in ensuring that the removal of load bearing walls does not jeopardize the safety of your property and its occupants.
What if I remove a non-load-bearing wall? Even if you're removing a wall that isn't load-bearing, you may still need to make a building regulations (building control) application. This may be necessary if, for instance, you're converting your loft and altering the walls surrounding the staircase.
The average cost to remove a load-bearing wall is $5,700 , but most homeowners pay between $1,400 and $10,000 depending on the scope of project.
Curtain walls - typically used in commercial buildings, curtain walls are non-load bearing and consist of glass or metal panels that are attached to the building's structural frame. Partition walls - used to divide interior spaces, partition walls can be made of various materials such as drywall, glass, or even fabric.
You may need a building consent if you want to make minor structural alterations to your dwelling, such as: remove load bearing wall between kitchen and dining room. replace a load-bearing wall with beam and posts. modify internal walls which affect bracing elements.
Non-load-bearing walls are sometimes called “partition walls” or “curtain walls”. You can remove partition walls and the structure will remain intact. Partial walls extend partially into a room to divide or mark the transition of one section of a space to another, such as from a living room to a dining room.
If you want to remove a load-bearing wall, then you will need a reinforced steel joint installed to support the floor above. Structural engineers can calculate the load and create diagrams. A builder will then work with a fabricator to produce a steel joist and provide delivery.
While planning permission might not be required for knocking down an internal wall, you'll likely need building control approval. Building control ensures that the work complies with safety and structural standards.