How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Load-Bearing Wall in 2025?
The average cost to remove a load-bearing wall is $3,000
Most project costs for removing a load-bearing wall range from $1,000 to $10,000 with an average price of $3,000.
The total price depends on the wall’s size and scope, the beam material, labor rates, and any plumbing or electrical rerouting.
Always hire experienced professionals—a load-bearing wall keeps your home structurally sound.
Removing a wall opens up your floor plan, creates space for oversized furniture, and can boost resale value by impressing future buyers.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Expect to spend between $500 and $500 or $3,000 on average to remove a load-bearing wall. Where you live, the wall’s size, how often you tackle projects like this, and the material quality all play a role. Removing a load-bearing wall requires serious structural considerations, and you’ll need to hire the right pros. This guide will help you set your budget and understand the factors that can affect the cost.
Load-Bearing Wall Removal Cost Factors
Several factors contribute to the cost of removing a load-bearing wall, including its location, plumbing and electrical requirements, the presence of mold, and the need for new drywall installation.
Interior vs. Exterior Walls
Every exterior wall carries weight and has been supporting your house since day one, so removing it could cause problems, whereas an interior wall won’t. As a result, exterior walls are rarely removed, whereas interior load-bearing walls may be removed during home remodeling or when changing the layout of a room. When removing an interior wall, it’s important to work with professionals to ensure the job is done safely and correctly.
When building an addition, pros usually leave the exterior structure in place and install a doorway for egress. A pro can refinish the exterior wall to match the rest of the interior, or leave it as is.
Plumbing
Hiring a plumber costs between $45 and $200 per hour, depending on the job, timing, and location. Your exact cost will vary based on the number and type of pipes you need to remove, replace, or relocate.
Electrical
Hiring an electrician costs between $50 and $100 per hour, depending on the complexity of the work, particularly for tasks such as rerouting electrical wires. Your total cost will depend on the complexity of your project. Many electricians also charge a one- to two-hour minimum fee for each trip to your home.
When opening walls in older homes, you might encounter outdated or substandard wiring that indicates issues in the rest of your home, which could increase your project costs.
Mold and Asbestos
In some cases, you may discover hidden hazards such as mold or asbestos behind walls. You should factor in the cost of remediation into your overall project estimate if these issues are present.
Installing New Drywall
Installing drywall costs $1.50 per square foot to cover up parts of the wall exposed by the removal. Your price will depend on the type you choose and the structural complexity of the job. Drywall professionals may also offer price breaks for larger jobs, which have lower overhead. Drywall installation is often the final step in the process.
Painting
The cost to paint interior walls averages $2 to $6 per square foot or $300 to $750 per room for a professional painter. Your job may cost less if you only need to match new drywall to adjoining walls. Ceilings, trim, and specific features will incur additional costs. A professional painter will provide a quote before starting the work.
Cost to Remove a Load-Bearing Wall by Project Type
Removing a load-bearing wall in a single-story home costs between $1,200 and $3,000. For multi-story homes, you can expect to pay between $3,200 and $10,000. Your exact price will depend on the size of the wall and the scope of your project.
You might choose to invest in removing a load-bearing wall for several reasons, including:
Creating a more open floor plan in your home
Making room for larger possessions like big-screen TVs and furniture
Increasing your home's resale value
Making your home more appealing to potential buyers
Cost to Replace a Load-Bearing Wall with a Beam
The average cost to remove a load-bearing wall and install a steel support beam ranges from $1,300 to $5,000, depending on the size and type of steel beam chosen, as well as the labor required for installation.
You cannot remove a load-bearing wall without installing an alternative support structure to replace it. A professional should always size and install the beam. Improperly installed support beams can lead to sticking doors and windows, saggy or cracked ceilings, and unlevel floors. More importantly, your home will no longer be structurally sound and could even collapse.
Creating Half-Walls & Pass-Throughs Between Two Rooms
Creating a half wall or pass-through can open space between living areas. Even though you're only removing a portion of the wall, it's still advisable to consult a professional to ensure the job is done correctly.
Does Removing a Load-Bearing Wall Increase Home Value?
Removing a load-bearing wall can increase a home's value by creating a more open and modern floor plan, enhancing its overall appeal. An open-concept layout makes a house feel brighter, larger, and more inviting, which many buyers appreciate. However, structural modifications can be a significant investment, requiring permits, engineered plans, and professional labor. When executed correctly, the investment can pay off by boosting both aesthetic appeal and resale potential.
DIY Wall Removal vs. Hiring a Pro
Taking down a load-bearing wall is not a do-it-yourself job. That wall holds up your house, so its removal requires care and expertise. Even if you’re convinced it’s not load-bearing, you’ll likely need pros to reroute plumbing, wiring, or HVAC. Leave the demo and beam installation to licensed experts who can ensure the work is safe and compliant with the code.
Find a qualified local wall pro who can handle the structural math, beam installation, and demo safely.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
To determine if a wall is load-bearing, start by checking your home’s original plans or asking a structural engineer. Exterior walls always carry weight, but interior ones only do if they sit over a beam or run perpendicular to floor joists. If a wall lines up with posts in the basement or falls directly under the roof ridge, assume it’s load-bearing and call a professional before attempting to remove it with a sledgehammer.
Calculating the wall load and sizing the beam must be performed by experts to ensure structural safety. You need a structural engineer to evaluate all load aspects and determine the proper beam dimensions. A professional engineer performs precise calculations and advises on any necessary enhancements, such as larger footings for support. An inspector then verifies that the revised structure meets all safety and code regulations before the finishing work begins.
Hiring a structural engineer is essential for ensuring your home remains structurally sound during any major renovation. Their responsibility is to deliver expert assessments and design recommendations for load-bearing modifications. The average cost to hire a structural engineer is $500, with rates ranging from $350 to $800. Consulting a licensed, experienced engineer guarantees that every structural project, whether constructing a new home or remodeling an existing one, is completed safely and efficiently.
Almost all load-bearing wall removals require a permit as they support everything above it, and building departments want proof that the new beam can handle the weight. Pulling a permit triggers plan review and inspections that confirm the work meets local code and safety standards. Skipping this step can lead to fines or being forced to rebuild later, so have your contractor pull the permit before work starts.
Removing a load-bearing wall to create an entrance for a carport or covered patio is a task that comes with defined cost implications. This modification requires extra structural adjustments to ensure safety and proper integration with the adjoining space. When you convert a wall into an entryway, you can expect to pay between $3,200 and $9,500, with an average cost of $6,400. The additional work required for this conversion reinforces the home’s integrity and ensures compliance with applicable building codes.
Get our Angi-powered app
