How do I know if a wall is load-bearing?
Do not rely on appearance alone. We review the layout, structure above and available site information, with inspection where necessary.
LOAD-BEARING WALL REMOVAL
Open the space, with the structure resolved.
Engineer-led design for load-bearing wall removals, from site information and load assessment through to beam sizing, bearings and Building Control calculations.
GUIDE FEE
From £595 + VAT
TYPICAL PROGRAMME
Typically 3 to 5 working days
BEST FOR
Kitchens, knock-throughs and internal alterations
WHAT THIS SERVICE DOES
You see a wall. The engineer sees everything the wall may be carrying.
Load-bearing wall removal design establishes what the existing wall supports and replaces that support with a safe, buildable arrangement. This may be a beam, posts, padstones or a goalpost frame, depending on the loads, spans and stability of the property.
Why it is required
It is required because a wall can support floors, roof members, masonry or other walls above, even when it looks no different from a partition. Removing it without resolving the full load path can lead to cracking, movement and unsafe temporary conditions.
The emotional promise of an open-plan room is freedom and connection. The engineering work protects that feeling long after the steel has disappeared behind plaster.
What you receive
01
Structural assessment
Review of the wall, supported construction, load path and practical site constraints.
02
Beam and bearing design
Steel or timber member design with padstones, posts or goalpost framing where required.
03
Submission package
Calculations and marked-up design information for Building Control and your contractor.
BEHIND THE FINISHES
What your engineer is tracing before the work disappears.
Structural engineering is largely about understanding the elements a finished home will conceal. These are the decisions that protect safety, comfort, approvals and the cost of changing course later.
01
Structure above
Floors, roofs, chimneys and walls that may rely on the wall being removed.
02
Beam bearings
The padstones, masonry or posts hidden at each end of the new opening.
03
Temporary support
The safe sequence needed while the permanent load path is being changed.
04
Services and depth
Pipes, cables, ceilings and finishes that affect whether a flush beam is practical.
A straightforward route from brief to build.
01 Share the address, proposed works and any drawings or photographs.
02 We confirm scope, fee, information needed and whether a visit is appropriate.
03 Your engineer delivers the agreed information and supports reasonable review queries.
PLAN THE WHOLE PROJECT
Connected structural decisions should be resolved together.
Many projects need more than one isolated calculation or visit. Explore the linked services below, or share the complete brief so the right scope can be confirmed once.
Steel beam design
Size the replacement beam and check its bearings and deflection.
Explore this service
Structural calculations
Provide the design evidence Building Control and contractors need.
Explore this service
Structural inspections
Verify the existing arrangement when drawings or assumptions are uncertain.
Explore this service
Get clarity on scope, fee and next steps.
Submit the project information through the quote form for an engineer-reviewed scope and fixed-fee proposal.
Common questions
What clients usually ask before starting.
Can the beam be hidden in the ceiling?
Sometimes. The available depth, floor construction, services and temporary works must be considered before confirming a flush detail.
Do I need Building Control approval for a load-bearing wall removal?
Usually, yes. Structural calculations and design information can be prepared to support your Building Control submission.
What structural support may be needed after removing the wall?
Depending on the structure, support may include a steel or timber beam, padstones, posts or a goalpost frame.
How long does the structural design usually take?
The typical programme is around 3 to 5 working days, depending on the project information and scope.