Remove a Non-Load-Bearing Wall Non-load-bearing walls are cheaper to remove than load-bearing ones, costing between $300 to $1,000. This process is cheaper because there is no need to provide reinforcement to protect the structural integrity of the home, making the process quicker and less labor-intensive.
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 it's a non-loadbearing wall, removing the wall is easy. Fixing and making everything look good after the wall is removed is the really hard part.
Unless the wall has plumbing or electric in it, you shouldn't need a permit to remove or install a non-load-bearing wall. If it has plumbing and/or electric, and you move/remove them, they will be inspected.
Your best bet always is to have a structural engineer asses and provide you with basic drawings for a small fee. Whether the wall is load bearing or not it can still be removed and supported, done by a competent contractor.
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 size of the job can affect the overall cost as the bigger the job, the more you can expect to pay for the work. If you want to knock down a wall to create more open space, this can cost around £1500-£2000 whereas to knock through a single doorway, you can expect to pay away £1000-£1500.
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.
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.
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.
Before removing a load-bearing wall, you must build a temporary wall or bracing structure to support the joists. Plan to install the temporary wall the same day that you remove the load-bearing wall. Build matching support structures on either side of the wall to evenly distribute the load.
If you're interested in removing a non-load-bearing wall, hiring a licensed general contractor or professional handyman would be a good choice. These professionals generally vary in the skills they have, so search for an individual or team experienced in safely and efficiently removing non-structural walls.
The cost to build a wall is $25 to $64 per linear foot or $1,000 to $5,000 total on average, including framing and drywall. Framing alone costs $11 to $32 per linear foot, depending on the framing material, wall height, stud spacing, and whether it's an interior or exterior wall. *Price includes framing and drywall.
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.
The cost of labor differs dramatically based on your area and the cost of living. Contractor rates range from $50 to $100 per hour depending on where you live and what your demo involves, although most projects are priced per square foot.
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.
Consult with a home inspector if you have any uncertainty over whether a wall is load bearing or not.
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. Once you decide to create an opening in a bearing wall, you'll need to shift the loads above it. Usually, this is done using a properly sized beam.
As the wall is not load-bearing, has no bracing element and is not a firewall, a building consent is not required. The owner of a dwelling wishes to remove a non load-bearing wall between the kitchen and laundry to provide for an enlarged kitchen space.
A proper structural inspection can determine if the wall is load-bearing or not. Structural inspections typically cost $300 to $700, not including drawing up plans. If a beam specification is required, this typically costs $400 + $100 for each additional beam.
Every wall in your home is either load-bearing or non-load-bearing. A load-bearing wall is a basic structural element of architectural design that contributes to the very framework of your home — without them, your house would collapse.
You should consult directly for accurate rates. For hourly rates, expect to pay between £90 and £200. A basic project usually ranges from £350 to £450, while complex projects can reach up to £10,000 in cost. For a detailed structural engineer report, costmay range from £500 to £2,000.
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.