Will my house fall down if I remove a load-bearing wall?

Author: Lilliana Roberts  |  Last update: Saturday, July 26, 2025

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.

Will a house collapse if you remove a load-bearing wall?

🔨 Structural Instability: Load-bearing walls are essential for distributing weight and providing stability to the structure. Removing these walls without proper reinforcement can compromise the building's structural integrity, leading to sagging floors, cracking walls, and even collapse.

What happens if you accidentally remove a load-bearing wall?

🔨 Structural Instability: Load-bearing walls are essential for distributing weight and providing stability to the structure. Removing these walls without proper reinforcement can compromise the building's structural integrity, leading to sagging floors, cracking walls, and even collapse.

Is it worth removing a load-bearing wall?

Structural Implications: Removing a load-bearing wall without proper support can compromise the structural integrity of your home. This can lead to sagging floors, cracks in walls, and other costly issues. Cost: Load-bearing wall removal is not a budget-friendly renovation if you're undertaking this as a DIY project.

How much of a load-bearing wall can you take out?

How much of a load-bearing wall can be removed? You can remove all or part of a load-bearing wall as long as there is another way to carry the weight.

How to know if a wall is Load Bearing (Structural) on Non Load bearing (Non Structural).

Is removing a load-bearing wall safe?

Removing a load-bearing wall without proper reinforcement can lead to severe structural damage, including sagging ceilings, cracked walls, or even complete collapse.

Is it illegal to remove a load-bearing wall?

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.

Is it expensive to move a load-bearing wall?

The average cost to remove a load-bearing wall is $5,700 , but the price ranges from $1,400 for a wall in a single-story home to upward of $10,000 for a wall in a multi-story home. Removing a load-bearing wall requires serious structural considerations, and you'll need to hire the right pros.

What needs to happen before removing a load-bearing wall?

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.

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.

Do you need consent to remove a load-bearing wall?

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.

Is it safe to replace a load-bearing wall with a beam?

Usually, this is not a problem since the original load-bearing wall likely was built over an underlying beam or foundation structure below the floor. But in rare instances, it may be necessary to add some form of additional support under the bottoms of the jack studs.

Can you have a house with no load-bearing walls?

Walls with a uniform load distribute the weight evenly along the structure. Non-load-bearing walls are sometimes called “partition walls” or “curtain walls”. You can remove partition walls and the structure will remain intact.

Who checks if a wall is load-bearing?

A structural engineer will be able to confirm whether or not your wall is load-bearing. If it is, they'll also be able to help you remove it by putting another support in place. That way, you can be sure your building remains structurally sound.

What can you replace a load-bearing wall with?

Load-bearing walls have two options for replacement:
  • A horizontal beam with no vertical support between the end bearing points.
  • A horizontal beam with one or more intermediate post between the end bearing points.

What can happen if you remove a load-bearing wall?

Structural damage: If you remove an internal load-bearing wall without proper support, you may create gaps or voids in the structure above it that can compromise its integrity.

How much is a 20 foot load-bearing beam?

20 ft LVL beam price

On average, the price of a 20 ft lvl beam can range from $150 to $300. It is recommended to check with us for specific pricing.

How much does it cost to remove a load-bearing wall and install a beam in the UK?

The walls that are most frequently removed are typically those separating the kitchen, dining room, and living room, as well as exterior walls for conservatories. On average, the cost of removing a wall ranges from £1,250 to £1,750, while the installation of structural supports typically costs between £800 and £950.

Do I need permission to remove a load-bearing wall?

To remove one load-bearing wall, planning permission isn't usually required. However, if you're carrying out other building work, contact your local planning authority to discuss your plans. They will be able to let you know whether you need to apply for planning permission before you proceed.

How long does it take to remove a load-bearing wall?

Removing a load-bearing wall is a significant project, and it's essential to understand the time it will take so that you can plan accordingly. The average time it takes to remove a load-bearing or Structural wall is around 1-3 days. However, that can vary depending on the complexity of the project.

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.

Who is qualified to remove a load-bearing wall?

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.

How much to replace a load-bearing wall with a beam?

The cost of this project can vary based on factors such as the size of the wall, the structural complexity, and any additional work required. On average, homeowners can expect to spend between $3,000 to $15,000 for such a renovation, including the cost of installing a beam if necessary.

How do you remove a load-bearing wall yourself?

Here's a quick rundown of the process I went through:
  1. Spec the beam. ...
  2. Put up temporary supports. ...
  3. Tear down the old wall, including plumbing. ...
  4. Assemble and raise the beam. ...
  5. Fasten beam to joists. ...
  6. Put in beam posts. ...
  7. Reroute heating ducts. ...
  8. Redo flooring.

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