Who to call to determine load-bearing wall?

Author: Maeve McGlynn IV  |  Last update: Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Cost of Structural Engineer For Load Bearing Walls. If you are planning on remodeling your home, you will definitely need the help of a structural engineer. They are experts who calculate load and figure out how your home's walls, foundation, roof, and structure will handle their weight.

Who to call to check a load-bearing wall?

To determine whether or not a wall is load bearing requires a licensed structural engineer, who can also advise on how to safely remove it while maintaining the structural integrity of the house. We've seen too many homeowners take the wrong steps and end up with serious structural damage.

How much does it cost to check a load-bearing wall?

How much a structural engineer costs depends on how extensive the assessment work and calculations are. The structural engineer's costs for non-load-bearing walls are at least £250 – £550 lower than those for load-bearing walls, which range from £500 – £2,000 per m2.

Who can determine if a wall is load-bearing?

Structural engineer is best. Builder will do otherwise.

Do structural engineers give free estimates?

In summary, whether or not a structural engineer provides free quotes for their services can vary. Some may offer free quotes as a way to generate business, while others may charge a fee for a more detailed and accurate quote.

How to Identify a Load Bearing Wall

Can a home inspector tell you if a wall is load-bearing?

Consult with a home inspector if you have any uncertainty over whether a wall is load bearing or not.

How does a structural engineer check a load-bearing wall?

Load bearing walls are those walls which transfer the floor/roof load to the foundations. We can track the load path from the floor/roof joists, slabs and then see how the load transfer occurs all the way down to the foundation.

How do you prove a wall is not load-bearing?

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.

Where are load-bearing walls usually located?

Walls that connect directly to foundation walls are usually load-bearing. Foundation walls are always load-bearing. Made of structural masonry materials like concrete block or poured concrete, the primary role of foundation walls is to support the weight of the house.

Who fixes load-bearing walls?

Simply put: Unless you are a building professional, leave this task to the experts. An architect, engineer or experienced contractor can tell you which walls must stay and which can go, as well as the work that must be done to replace the load-bearing support, after a thorough inspection of your home.

Do I need an engineer to remove a load-bearing wall?

But trying to remove a load-bearing wall – without proper assessment and planning can have serious consequences, such as damage, collapse, or injury. That's why it's important to consult a structural engineer before you make any major changes to your home, office, or other spaces.

What is the average cost to remove a load-bearing wall?

On average, removing an interior load-bearing wall costs $1,200 to $2,500, depending on the material and whether you have lines and ducts inside that wall that must be rerouted. Most contractors rarely remove exterior walls because they're fundamental to the structure of your home.

Who do you call to remove a load-bearing wall?

Removing these walls may seem straightforward, but it can impact your home's structural stability, potentially compromising its integrity. That's why it's crucial to hire a local structural engineer to assess and provide guidance on the safe removal of walls.

Are outside walls always load-bearing?

Truth: It's common that all exterior walls in a home are load bearing, but not guaranteed. Many people assume that all exterior walls are load bearing, period. This is not always the case. It comes down to where the floor joists and trusses bear which varies depending on the type and style of house.

How much of a load-bearing wall can be removed without support?

After all, in most homes you can remove as much as you wish of a load-bearing wall, but it has a lot to do with what's inside the wall, and how you plan to redistribute the weight. Load-bearing walls are critical to the structure of your home.

What is the easiest way to tell if a wall is load bearing?

Look at the Direction of the Ceiling Joists

If the ceiling joists run perpendicular (90 degrees) to the wall, the wall is load-bearing, as it's bearing the weight of the ceiling joists. If the joists run parallel to the wall, the wall may not be load-bearing.

Is it possible for a house to have no load-bearing walls?

A: You can build a multi-story home with no bearing walls. It's been done for decades.

How to get rid of a load-bearing wall?

Steps for Removing a Load-Bearing Wall
  1. Install temporary 2×4 braces on either side of wall to support the ceiling above.
  2. Use reciprocating saw to cut through wall plaster.
  3. Carefully cut away wood lath to reveal bare wall studs.
  4. Use reciprocating saw to cut through wall directly above each wall stud.

Who to hire to determine load-bearing wall?

If it turns out to be load bearing, that's when you hire an engineer to take measurements and calc a beam. Important information would be if the wall is parallel or perpendicular to the joists in the floor and ceiling, and if there are any walls or columns above or below it.

Who can assess if a wall is load-bearing?

If you're in doubt you can engage a building inspector to help you identify which of your walls are load bearing and which are just partition walls.

Who to ask about load-bearing walls?

All exterior walls are load-bearing, as well as some interior walls. Before investing significant time and energy into a new remodeling plan, seek a structural engineer's help. It's important to ensure that your wall removal plans are possible. Most of the time, they are.

Can a contractor tell me if a wall is load-bearing?

Can I Hire a General Contractor to Check if a Wall Is Load-Bearing? While general contractors can tell if a wall is load-bearing and then actually remove a load-bearing wall, they don't have the additional structural training that a structural engineer does.

Are interior walls always load-bearing?

These walls are typically made of reinforced concrete, masonry, or wood, and they are strategically placed throughout a house or building to support the weight of the structure. Load-bearing walls are often the exterior walls of a house, but they can also be the interior walls as well.

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