4th Floor
Silverstream House
45 Fitzroy Street
London
W1T 6EB
Silverstream House
45 Fitzroy Street
London
W1T 6EB
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4th Floor, Silverstream House, 45 Fitzroy Street, London, W1T 6EB
E: info@kelpstudio.co.uk
T: 020 3835 2633
M: 07561 417319
Load-Bearing Wall Assessment: Is This Wall Load-Bearing?
Planning to knock through, but not sure whether the wall is holding anything up? We visit, inspect the structure and give you a formal written report confirming whether each wall is load-bearing, so you, your builder and your buyer or lender know where you stand.£600 inc. VAT
Report from a Senior Structural Engineer. Up to 3 walls, site visit included.
£1,150 inc. VAT
Report from a Chartered Structural Engineer, for when your lender, solicitor or insurer asks for one. Up to 3 walls, site visit included.
Going ahead with the removal? If you then appoint us for the structural design and calculations, we offer a reduced overall fee.
Book a site visit or call 020 3835 2633
Site visits usually within 3 working days, and reports typically within 48 hours of the visit.
What’s included
• Site visit by a structural engineer
• Inspection of up to 3 walls, and of the floors, ceilings and loft around them
• A formal written report confirming whether each wall is load-bearing and what it supports
• Clear next steps: what’s needed to remove or alter each wall safely
When you might need one
• You want an open-plan kitchen or living space
• You’re buying a property and want to know what’s possible before you commit
• A wall has already been removed and you need to know whether it was structural
• Your builder, architect or Building Control has asked for confirmation
Common questions
How can I tell if a wall is load-bearing?
There are clues: floor joists resting on it, a wall directly above it on the next floor, or solid brick or block rather than a hollow stud wall. But none of these is conclusive. Even a timber stud wall can carry floor or roof loads in older houses. That’s why a site inspection by an engineer is the reliable answer.
What happens if the wall is load-bearing?
It can usually still be removed or opened up, with a steel beam or other support designed by a structural engineer. Our report sets out what’s needed, and we can design it for you at a reduced overall fee. Wall removal calculations →
Do I need Building Control approval to remove a load-bearing wall?
Yes. Removing or altering a load-bearing wall is structural work under the Building Regulations, so you’ll need Building Control approval and structural calculations.
Do I need the Chartered Structural Engineer option?
Usually not. Most homeowners and builders only need to know whether the wall is load-bearing. Choose the chartered option if a lender, solicitor, insurer or local authority has asked for a report from a Chartered Structural Engineer.
Can my builder tell me?
Many experienced builders can make a good guess, but a builder’s opinion isn’t a formal report. Building Control, buyers and lenders will expect confirmation from a structural engineer.
What if the wall is part-hidden?
If the structure can’t be confirmed visually, for example under a ceiling or behind plaster, we’ll tell you exactly what opening-up is needed to confirm it.
12+ years’ experience · £1,000,000 PI insurance · Site visit within 3 working days · 48-hour reports
Chimney breast removal →
Do I need a structural engineer to remove a wall? →
Structural surveys →
Book a visit or call 020 3835 2633
How can I tell if a wall is load-bearing?
There are clues: floor joists resting on it, a wall directly above it on the next floor, or solid brick or block rather than a hollow stud wall. But none of these is conclusive. Even a timber stud wall can carry floor or roof loads in older houses. That’s why a site inspection by an engineer is the reliable answer.
What happens if the wall is load-bearing?
It can usually still be removed or opened up, with a steel beam or other support designed by a structural engineer. Our report sets out what’s needed, and we can design it for you at a reduced overall fee. Wall removal calculations →
Do I need Building Control approval to remove a load-bearing wall?
Yes. Removing or altering a load-bearing wall is structural work under the Building Regulations, so you’ll need Building Control approval and structural calculations.
Do I need the Chartered Structural Engineer option?
Usually not. Most homeowners and builders only need to know whether the wall is load-bearing. Choose the chartered option if a lender, solicitor, insurer or local authority has asked for a report from a Chartered Structural Engineer.
Can my builder tell me?
Many experienced builders can make a good guess, but a builder’s opinion isn’t a formal report. Building Control, buyers and lenders will expect confirmation from a structural engineer.
What if the wall is part-hidden?
If the structure can’t be confirmed visually, for example under a ceiling or behind plaster, we’ll tell you exactly what opening-up is needed to confirm it.
12+ years’ experience · £1,000,000 PI insurance · Site visit within 3 working days · 48-hour reports
Chimney breast removal →
Do I need a structural engineer to remove a wall? →
Structural surveys →
Book a visit or call 020 3835 2633