Who to Hire to Remove a Load-Bearing Wall

This article was created using automation technology and thoroughly fact-checked and edited by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

If you’re planning to remove a load-bearing wall, know that these walls support your home’s structure. A structural engineer should evaluate and guide the plan, and a contractor with structural engineering knowledge should complete the work and secure permits. Always verify experience, licensing, insurance, bonding, and references to find a qualified pro to handle the job.

Benefits of Hiring a Structural Engineer to Remove a Load-Bearing Wall

Hiring a structural engineer ensures safe, code-compliant planning and removal. They assess structural integrity and specify the supports your home needs, including beams and temporary walls. Their guidance reduces the risk of structural compromise and helps streamline permitting and inspections. You gain a clear engineering plan that contractors can price and follow with confidence.

Here are some of the top benefits of hiring a structural engineer for the job:

• Evaluates your home’s structural stability before any demolition begins

• Determines if beams or other permanent supports are required for safety

• Plans temporary support walls when needed to protect the structure

• Identifies rerouting needs for wires or pipes discovered in the wall

• Helps you follow permit and inspection requirements during the project

• Provides expertise for multi-story load-bearing wall removal

• Offers a clear pricing scope when comparing multiple quotes

• Brings specialized structural engineering knowledge to the plan

• Considers the size of the wall to inform support design

• Accounts for the number of walls to be removed in the project

Can I Hire a Licensed General Contractor to Remove a Load-Bearing Wall?

A licensed general contractor with experience removing load-bearing walls and structural engineering knowledge can perform the work. The contractor should acquire the required permits and manage on-site safety and inspections. If the contractor lacks specific experience, your home’s structural integrity can be compromised, so verify qualifications.

Get multiple estimates and confirm experience with rerouting utilities and installing supports. For non-load-bearing walls, a general contractor or handyman is appropriate. Load-bearing removal requires advanced expertise. If you’re not sure where to start, you might want to consider a general contractor near you to ensure the job is done safely and up to code.

How Do Pros Remove a Load-Bearing Wall? 

Pros follow a structured wall removal process to keep your home safe:

1. Draft the layout and define which walls are removed

2. Have a structural engineer assess the wall and plan supports

3. The contractor acquires the required permits and schedules inspections

4. Set temporary support walls if needed for safety

5. Reroute any wires or pipes discovered in the wall

6. Remove the wall per the engineered plan and install supports or beams

7. Complete inspections and finalize adjacent spaces

How Much Does Removing a Load-Bearing Wall Cost?

Removing a load-bearing wall costs $1,000 to $10,000. The total price varies by the size and number of walls you remove. Costs can exceed $3,000 in multi-story homes due to additional support and complexity. Rerouting wires or pipes and adding beams or temporary supports increases the total. Get at least three quotes from structural engineers to compare pricing models and the included scope of work.