Generally, when the wall in question runs parallel to the floor joists above, it is not a load-bearing wall. But if the wall runs perpendicular (at a 90-degree angle) to the joists, there is a good chance that it is load-bearing.

How can you tell if a wall is load bearing or non load bearing?


Quote from Youtube video: Okay so one of the easiest ways to figure out if a wall is load bearing or non-load bearing is to look up at the ceiling above. And see which way the joist. Runs. So when we look up a bit we can see

Which walls are load bearing walls?





Walls that run perpendicular (at a 90 degree angle) to the ceiling joists are load-bearing. Walls that run parallel (in the same direction) as the ceiling joints are non load-bearing.

Where is the load-bearing wall in my house?

Assess your basement — Look in your basement or crawl space for steel beams or joists. If you do spot joists in your basement and there is a wall that runs perpendicular, this wall is most likely load bearing. If the wall is parallel above the joists, it’s most likely not a load-bearing wall.

Is my wall load bearing UK?

Go into your attic or basement and look at the direction of your floor joists. Generally, if a wall is load bearing, these joists will be perpendicular to the wall. Go upstairs and see if the wall continues from below. Load bearing walls often have walls above them.

Who can tell me if a wall is load bearing?

You should consult with a building professional, such as a carpenter, architect, or structural engineer, to confirm that a wall is load-bearing or non-load-bearing. In most municipalities, a permit will be required before removing a load-bearing wall.

How do you know if you can knock down a wall?





Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: If you're around four and a half inches. Chances are that's a 2×4 wall it may not be load-bearing it still could be but it may not be if it's around six and a half inches with the drywall.

Can a stud wall be load-bearing UK?

A stud or partition wall, built with either plasterboard, or lath and plaster, is rarely constructed as a load-bearing structure. There are however exceptions to this – a stud wall may still help strengthen the structure of a building even though it may not technically be load-bearing (particularly in older homes).

Are internal brick walls load-bearing?

What is a loadbearing wall? Walls which support floor joists or other walls above are loadbearing. Bed recess, corridor walls and other walls which run parallel to the back and front walls of a tenement are normally loadbearing. Both brick and timber stud walls may be loadbearing.

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

£1,250 to £1,750



Load bearing wall removal hourly rates



As mentioned, the average cost of removing a load bearing wall in the UK is in the region of £1,250 to £1,750.

Do I need building regs to remove load-bearing wall?

Unless your property is a listed building, you will not need planning permission to remove any interior walls. However, if you are removing a load-bearing wall, you will need building regulation approval from a qualified inspector.

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

Alteration or removal of load bearing walls requires building regulations consent. Generally speaking a structural engineer will not be involved if the alterations are straight forward (Normally simply supported beams with a span of up to 4 metres.)

How much does it cost to knock down a wall between kitchen and dining room UK?



The average price for removing a load-bearing wall in the UK is between £1,250-£1,750. This estimate does not include additional costs, however, such as: Installing suitable supports – £800-£950.

How much of a load-bearing wall can be removed?

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.

Does knocking through kitchen/diner add value?

One of the most popular home transformation projects to add value to a house is knocking through between an existing kitchen, dining and living room to create an open plan kitchen diner.

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

The average cost to remove a load-bearing wall in a single-story home is $4,000 to $10,000 with finishing costs. Removing a two-story load-bearing wall costs between $9,000 and $15,000 on average.



Load-Bearing Support Beam Cost.

Type Cost Per Linear Foot
Poured Concrete Beams $7 – $15

How much does it cost to have someone check if a wall is load-bearing?



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.

Can you replace a load-bearing wall with a beam?

When you or a contractor remove a load-bearing wall, it must be replaced with either a structural beam or a structural beam and post or posts.