Wall Removal and Steel Beam Calculations

Knocking through to create an open-plan kitchen or living space? If the wall is load-bearing, you’ll need a structural engineer to design the support and Building Control approval before work starts. We provide the calculations and drawings your builder and Building Control need, across London, Surrey, Sussex, Kent and Essex.

Get a quote or call 020 3835 2633

Not sure if your wall is load-bearing? Our load-bearing wall assessment gives you a formal answer for £600 inc. VAT. Removing a chimney breast? See our fixed-price chimney breast design.

What’s included
• Design of the new beam: steel, timber or flitch beam, sized for the loads above
• Padstones and bearings at each end
• Checks on the walls and foundations below that will take the new point loads
• Support for chimney breasts above, where relevant
• A temporary propping sequence so your builder can work safely
• Structural calculations and a drawing for Building Control
• Answers to any Building Control queries until the design is approved

Typical projects
• Kitchen and dining room knock-throughs
• Removing the wall between front and back reception rooms
• Opening up the rear wall for a new extension
• Removing chimney breasts
• Widening existing openings for doors or bifolds

How it works
1. Send us photos of the wall, any plans you have, and what you’d like to remove.
2. We give you a fixed quote. For most jobs we visit to check the structure above and the direction of the floor joists.
3. We design the beam and supports and send you the calculations and drawing.
4. You or your builder submit them to Building Control, and we answer any questions.

Common questions

How do I know if a wall is load-bearing?
Clues include floor joists running across the top of the wall, walls in the same position on the floor above, and solid brick or block construction. Many internal walls in older houses carry load, so it’s worth checking before anything is removed.

Do I need Building Regulations approval?
Yes. Removing a load-bearing wall is a structural alteration, so it needs Building Control approval, and they’ll ask for an engineer’s calculations.

What about the neighbours?
If the work affects a party wall, for example where a beam bears on it, you may need to serve notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. A party wall surveyor can advise.

Can you design a steel box frame?
Yes. Where a large opening leaves little wall either side, we design steel frames to carry the loads down to new foundations.

Working in Brighton & Hove? Structural engineers in Brighton & Hove →

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All our structural design services →
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Load-bearing wall assessment →
Chimney breast removal →