Load-bearing wall · calculationFrom €419 excl. VAT (business) · €506.99 incl. VAT (private customers)What can be included in your commission?
Your quote specifies the exact elements and documents. The following topics matter for this structural calculation:
The replacement structure
Calculations for the agreed beam and any columns needed for your wall opening.
Supports and connections
Assessment of bearings and connection details within the agreed scope.
Calculations and drawings
The structural assessment and agreed drawings to coordinate the design with the parties involved.
Calculations, drawings and construction work are separate parts of a project. Your quote defines what is included. Mention any questions about a site visit, temporary support or design changes.
Start with a short description and the information you already have. Sending an enquiry is free of obligation and does not place a paid order.
What is assessed?
The most important question is what the wall supports: a floor, the roof, upper walls or a combination. The structural engineer examines the loads and the route by which they are transported to the foundation.
A beam alone is not always sufficient. The supports, any columns and the existing foundation must also be able to absorb the new forces.
What data is needed?
The following information can be used to prepare the assessment. The structural engineer determines whether additional research is necessary.
| Information | What should you send? |
|---|---|
| Floor plans of all floors | Mark the wall you want to remove on the plans and identify the storey. |
| Desired width and position of the opening | Draw the proposed opening and note any changes to doors or window positions. |
| Photos of the wall, floor and upper situation | Include overview photos and identify the wall shown on the plan. |
| Available archive and construction drawings | Include available records of earlier wall openings and state which drawings are missing. |
Not everything available yet? Describe what you have and what is missing. You do not need to calculate load capacity yourself. Any survey or additional investigation needed will be discussed for your project.
Materials and drawings
The choice of materials and connections follow from the design. Read more about Steel and the difference between a architectural drawing and a construction drawing.
How does the process proceed?
You describe your project and share the available data. The assignment, any additional information and planning are then coordinated. Check it out complete step-by-step plan for all phases.
Price and scope: agree these points first
The price above is a starting point. Compare quotations covering the same elements and ask for additional work to be listed separately.
What should be calculated?
Specify the opening, beam, bearings and any columns. Ask whether the structure below and its foundations are included in the assessment.
What needs a separate agreement?
A site survey, temporary support design, permit application, demolition, steel supply, installation and finishes are not automatically included. Discuss revisions after the first design too.
What affects the schedule?
Drawings of several floors, earlier alterations and missing information can affect preparation. Coordinate the calculations, temporary support and construction date.
Ask your quotation to identify who prepares the calculations, who provides the drawings and who answers technical questions. State your preferred date; feasibility is agreed for your commission.
Can I already order material?
Order structural parts based on the coordinated and current design data. A preliminary estimate is not a complete basis for this.
Is a site visit necessary?
That depends on the project and the available information. Sometimes drawings and photos are sufficient for the inventory; sometimes an admission or additional examination is necessary.
What happens if my plan changes?
Report changes before they are implemented. The structural engineer assesses whether calculations and drawings need to be adjusted.
Frequently asked questions about removing a load-bearing wall
Can I tell from the thickness whether my wall is load-bearing?
Wall thickness is at most an indication. The load-bearing direction of floors, upper building components, previous renovations and the actual support must be considered together. Collect drawings from multiple floors and determine what additional information is needed. Do not start removal based on a knock test or a comparison with another home.
Is the foundation also examined for a load-bearing wall?
That depends on the agreed assignment and the consequences of the breakthrough. A beam can concentrate forces on smaller support points. The underlying construction and foundation may therefore be relevant. Ask explicitly which supports, columns and existing parts are included, so that it is clear where the assessment ends.
What is included in the starting price for a load-bearing wall calculation?
A load-bearing wall calculation starts at €419 excl. VAT (business) · €506.99 incl. VAT (private customers). Your quotation specifies which parts and drawings are included for your project. Demolition, steel, installation, finishing and temporary propping are not automatically included in the calculation assignment.
Can the beam disappear completely into the ceiling?
That is a design question related to floor structure, available height, loads and connections. Please indicate the desired finish when requesting. Have possible solutions agreed upon by the designer and structural engineer before the ceiling height, installations and steel order are finalized.
Related structural topics
Your project location
Provide the building address and share available drawings and photographs. Discuss whether a site survey is needed and which travel or investigation costs form part of the commission.