Turning your house into a home can be done in many ways.

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It can range from a very simple touch of paint to more radical changes like removing a wall to open-up a room.

If you’re looking to make your mark on your home by doing the latter, it can be quite daunting, but that’s where we can help.

In our latest FAQ, we deal with a query relating to the removal of an internal wall, and what can happen if it’s load-bearing.

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The Query:

“I’m exploring the possibility of removing an internal wall in my home but am concerned it may be load-bearing, could you advise me on my options?

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Our Advice:

Before you even consider making arrangements to remove the wall, the first thing you’ll need to do is find out whether it’s load-bearing, meaning; is the wall carrying any weight from the building or is it merely a simple way of partitioning up the space?

To do this, you’ll need to find a structural engineer.

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Finding a quality structural engineer can be tricky, but you can read our tips on it here.

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From there, the structural engineer will need to undertake a site visit.

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During the site visit, they will determine if the wall(s) that you’re looking to remove are load-bearing. Usually, this investigation can be done unobtrusively, as a structural engineer can often analyse a building by working out how the loads are borne throughout the structure, but occasionally more invasive analysis may need to be conducted.

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What Happens if the Wall isn’t Load-Bearing?

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If the analysis finds that the wall isn’t load-bearing, the structural engineer should issue a report or letter confirming this, which will allow you to move forward with the building work to remove the wall.

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What if it is Load-Bearing?

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If it is load-bearing, the structural engineer can then prepare a design for a steel beam to be installed, which would then allow for the wall to be removed by your builder

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The engineer will prepare the technical drawings and structural calculations for the work, which will then be submitted to building control for approval.

 

How Can Modulus Help?
 

At Modulus, we have worked extensively with residential buildings and homeowners on a wide variety of projects including alterations & extensions, loft conversions and new builds. Our vast experience means we have developed a wide range of cost-effective solutions.

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Our expertise allows us to assist with any part of a project, from initial discussions on feasibility, all the way through to the final design.

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If you are looking to carry out building work on your home, or build a new home from scratch, you can use our simple and fast quote calculator here, email us your project details to quotes@modulus.ltd, or phone us to discuss your project on 01256 768588.