How Much of a Load-Bearing Wall Can Be Removed?

Do you want to make your boxy bungalow feel more spacious and bright? If so, you’ll need to hire a general contractor to remove a portion of a load-bearing wall – a wall that’s an active structural element of your home.

In most cases, your general contractor can remove as much of a load-bearing wall as you’d like. However, the general contractor must have a way of redistributing the weight of what it was originally supporting. If you simply remove part of a load-bearing wall without adding support, your roof could buckle or collapse.

Below we discuss the ins and outs of load-bearing walls and why you should consult an expert.

WHAT IS A LOAD-BEARING WALL?

A load-bearing wall is a structural wall that shoulders the weight of upper floors, a ceiling, or even the roof of your home. More often than not, exterior walls are load-bearing. However, most homes also have load-bearing interior walls.

In comparison, a non-load-bearing wall (also called a partition wall) doesn’t bear any weight of the home’s structure. These walls simply divide rooms.

HOW TO TELL IF A WALL IS LOAD-BEARING

Homeowners should always hire a general contractor to tackle a remodel, especially if that remodel involves removing walls. Your general contractor can confirm if a wall is load-bearing by:

MEASURING WALL THICKNESS

Generally, load-bearing walls are thicker than non-load-bearing walls. If your wall is less than 15 centimeters (about six inches) thick, it’s likely a partition wall.

VENTURING TO THE BASEMENT

Load-bearing walls typically cross floor joists and beams perpendicularly, forming a 90-degree angle. If a wall runs parallel to a joist, it should be non-load-bearing.

LOOKING FOR COLUMNS

If the wall you’re knocking down is decorated with a column, it’s probably load-bearing. Though decorative columns are common, most play an important role in the structure of a home.

HOW TO REMOVE A LOAD-BEARING WALL

Do you want more elbow room in your master en suite? Or maybe an open kitchen remodel concept that’s ideal for entertaining? No matter your vision, removing part or all of a load-bearing wall is very technical work.

Since a simple mistake could compromise the structural integrity of your home, you should always hire a general contractor. They can determine if a wall is load-bearing and safely redistribute the weight once the wall is removed.

Generally, when a contractor removes a load-bearing wall, they’ll replace it with either a:

Beam: To offer structural support, your contractor may install a horizontal beam on the ceiling.
Beam & Post: If a beam alone won’t suffice, your contractor will install one or more posts to reinforce the load-bearing wall.

COST OF REMOVING A LOAD-BEARING WALL

Changing the layout of a home can make it brighter and more inviting without breaking the bank. To remove a load-bearing wall in a single-story home, expect to pay between $1,000 and $3,000. For a house with multiple levels, expect to pay $10,000.

As with any home renovation project, you’ll also need to prepare for additional costs. For example, you might have to pay for:

Permitting and structural engineer report
Rerouting of electrical wires
Rerouting of plumbing or gas lines
Touching up paint or wallpaper
Patching the ceiling and adjoining walls
Fixing flooring or sheetrock
Moving cooling ducts

When your contractor opens up your walls, he or she may find unforeseen problems like mold or termites. To avoid further damage to your home, these issues must be addressed.

SHOULD YOU HIRE A CONTRACTOR?

Some home improvement projects are easy to DIY. However, removing part or all of a load-bearing wall is a more complicated task that, if done incorrectly, can lead to huge costs to fix.

Before wading into this major remodel alone, consider the benefits of hiring a contractor to remove your load-bearing wall:

Hiring a contractor could cost less. Though contractors charge for labor, they typically purchase their building materials wholesale. As a homeowner, you’ll be forced to purchase lumber and nails at higher retail prices.
A professional will do a better job. Contractors live and breathe home improvement projects – it’s their livelihood. Because of this, an experienced contractor in Charlotte can offer higher quality work than a novice homeowner.
Contractors are licensed and insured. That means your contractor is liable if your roof starts to buckle or your foundation starts to crack after a load-bearing wall is removed.
They have connections. Removing a load-bearing wall often requires rerouting plumbing, electrical, HVAC ducts, and gas lines. As a homeowner, you’d have to hire specialists to do this work. However, general contractors typically have a team of subcontractors.
A contractor will handle permitting. Most counties and municipalities require a permit for large projects like removing a load-bearing wall. If you hired a contractor, they would handle this process for you and roll the permitting costs into your final quote.

ARE YOU READY FOR AN OPEN FLOOR PLAN?

If you have a cramped ranch-style or boxy bungalow, removing a load-bearing wall (or two) could open up your living space. However, if executed poorly, this home renovation project could compromise the structural integrity of your house.

When a load-bearing wall needs to go, your best bet is to hire a professional. At Portico, our vetted and reputable general contractors can easily and safely modify the floor plan of your home. What’s even better?