Enlarging a living space nearly always requires removing one or more walls, including those that are bearing loads. This can sometimes be a significant undertaking that requires engineering, project planning, and experienced execution.
If the wall is load bearing, you will need a documented engineered design that correctly anticipates and transfers load across new paths, a permit from the city, temporary supports, new structural members cut and fit perfectly, and the ability to adapt safely when (not if) you discover what had not been anticipated.
Once we start your job we will not leave until it’s finished. Most jobs take 2 to 3 days.
Is that a load bearing wall?
This is probably the most common question we get. While we can’t tell for sure without a site visit, we usually have a pretty good idea and can give you the benefit of our experience over the phone (no charge). Email us some pictures (wide angles are better, and we will need an outside shot of your home as well), and let us know when your home was built, where the wall is in the home, and what two rooms/spaces are on either side of it.
For the most part, we provide residential structural engineering design services* only when we are also going to be doing the physical construction. This reduces our liability and improves outcomes for customers who benefit from having a single point of accountability. We do provide engineering design services on a standalone basis, but only in special situations including when the project is located outside our immediate service area (and where it is impractical for us to manage the construction).
Our designs are grounded in practice and will save you money without sacrificing durability or aesthetics.
We can usually get an engineer out to your site, and have a complete, permit-ready package within a week.
*Our services include site inspection, load-bearing analysis, engineering, and documentation.
Why you should use us for engineering?
Residential structural work and wall removal are all we do. Our engineering solutions come from extensive field experience. We are guided not only by what will be safe and durable, which always comes first but also by what will be practical and inexpensive for the customer.
We are easy to work with. And, we’re punctual.
Bowing roofs or walls? Sagging floors? Walls or ceilings with large cracks getting worse over time? Posts in your basement decaying? These could be signs of structural damage that may need to be fixed as soon as possible.
Delaying structural repairs to your home just adds to the expense of the eventual repair. Meanwhile, structural damage eats into your equity and makes it tougher to sell or refinance your home.
Once we start your job we will not leave until it’s finished. Job durations vary by the number of trades and types of repair.
Types of structural home repair
Major structural members and systems that we repair include:
All About Load Bearing Wall Removal
What we do
We help you enlarge your living space by (re) moving walls.
We handle all related structural modifications and repairs.
Here is what we do when we remove a wall:
Occasionally, the removal of drywall reveals unexpected structural conditions. When this happens, we can and do help clients tackle the newfound structural issues.
The point is — we do what it takes. Always.
*the goal of the engineering design is to reorganize the load paths (after the wall is removed) to preserve the structural integrity of the home in the least intrusive way.
What makes us different
It begins with a question: what is the most practical, inexpensive, and frictionless way to do your project?
That question drives everything we do. It forms the basis of our engineering approach. It shows up in how we lay out your project — floor protection everywhere, dust barriers, and positive pressure so the rest of your home stays clean. It unfolds in the tight logistics of moving men and materials through your site so quickly and cleanly, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
We are easy to work with. We are punctual. We do what we say, which means we won’t keep you hanging. Once we arrive at your site, we won’t leave for another site until your project is finished.
What you can expect
Engineering (a necessary precursor to wall removal)
After our initial phone call in which we gather the facts (it will save you time, so schedule that call today), an engineer and a project manager can usually visit the site the same week.
The complete engineering package takes 5 to 7 work days from start to finish, and is uploaded to a private folder set up for you.
Engineering for simple, targeted structural modifications, such as the removal of a single load bearing wall or the re-design of standard trusses, costs less than $1,000. Some projects cost more.
Load bearing wall removal (demolition and construction)
When the engineering is complete we can give you a firm quote for your project. Your project is scheduled once you sign off on the paperwork. In select cases, we may recommend removing the drywall in advance of the final demolition, to better prepare for an uneventful completion.
Once we begin work on your site, we will not leave for another site until the work is completed. We are fastidious about being neat and will do our best to leave your home in the condition we found it, if not better.
Load bearing wall removal projects range from less than $10,000 to as much as $25,000 and are completed within 1 to 3 days. Most projects cost less than $15,000. In projects that cost $20,000 or more, we find ourselves working with some combination of long spans, complex site conditions, concrete pads, and multiple beams.
Is this a load bearing wall?
By far, this is the most common question we get.
It would not be difficult to write down rules of thumb that laypersons might use to their advantage. The problem is that there are too many caveats and exceptions to do anyone any good.
But, we can often talk you through it over the phone. If you would like that you will need to send us some pictures (wide angles are better, and do include an outside shot of your home as well). Also, let us know when your home was built, where the wall is in the home, and what two rooms/spaces are on either side of it. Dimensions would be nice. If you have plan drawings, even better.
Is removing a wall really that big a deal?
If the wall in question is not carrying any loads (i.e. if it is a simple partition) then removing it is fairly easy. If you aren’t afraid of a little dust, and you know how to wield common construction tools like hammers, crowbars, and saws, you could remove it yourself.
However, some walls in your home or building were purposefully erected to support the weight of the structure above. Those load bearing walls must have their loads re-routed before removal.
With the right tools and the knowledge of exactly how to do it, we routinely remove load bearing walls. It takes considerable skill.
The work includes designing new load paths, shoring the ceiling joists and cutting them to make space for a new beam, removing the wall(s), installing one or more beams, re-attaching cut joists, re-routing wiring, and managing assorted complications.
There is a precise sequence to these steps and there’s not much room to get it wrong — gravity is merciless. Enjoy the video below!
Notice the dust? Us neither. It had to be that way since the client wanted to be able to use the kitchen while we were there! Anyway, after the drywall came off, we replaced this load bearing wall with a flush beam mounted inside the ceiling. That island in the newly-expanded kitchen sits at the blue rectangle on the floor.
Load Bearing Wall Company
We proudly serve the Central Minnesota, Southern Minnesota, and the Twin Cities Metro area. All local governments have their own set of rules and permits. We ensure that all those requirements are met. We pride ourselves on being #1 in customer service. We serve customers in Duluth, Rochester, Minneapolis and St Paul as well as the metro suburbs including Edina, Plymouth, Golden Valley, Roseville, and Eagan. Our service area extends to Shakopee and Lakeville to the south, Stillwater in the east, Elk River and Forest Lake to the north, and Chanhassen and other townships west of Wayzata and Excelsior.
Twin Cities Clients
