Do I need a structural engineer to remove a wall?

The short answer

If a wall carries load from the floor, roof or walls above, you need structural calculations to remove it safely and to satisfy Building Control. Even some walls that look non-structural turn out to be carrying load, so it is worth checking before you start.

How to tell if a wall is load-bearing

Walls that run at right angles to the floor joists, walls that continue up through the building, and walls below a wall on the floor above are often load-bearing. The only reliable way to be sure is an assessment by a structural engineer.

What the engineer provides

We size the beam that replaces the wall, check the bearings and padstones, and issue stamped calculations and a sketch. That package goes to Building Control and your builder works from it.

What it does not include

Calculations are not a guarantee of build quality. The builder must install the beam and supports as specified. We can inspect the works where that is needed.