Cost to remove load bearing wall and install 22' support beam?

3/10/2016 at 3:41:17 PM

Hi Nelson,

A good contractor will have a reasonably priced engineer that he works with on a regular basis.

The contractor can determine if the wall is structural or not. Opening the ceiling drywall to see which way the joists run above the wall may be necessary.

The engineering fee for preparing a stamped drawing, ready for building permit should be less that $2500.

The cost for replacing the structural wall with a flush beam, inserted into the ceiling (not hanging below) can vary from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on many variables:

What else is there in the wall that needs to be relocated? Electrical? Heating ducts? Intercom? Thermostats?

Are posts and basement support posts necessary at new beam ends, with new concrete pads below?

Temporary walls will need to be put up on the main floor and directly underneath in the basement to hold up the house while the structural wall is replaced with the flush beam. If the basement is finished, or if there are walls, beams, bathrooms etc. in the way, this can be challenging to do.

1st floor finishes may be challenging as well, or not.

The floor where the wall was will now need to be patched, or redo the kitchen floor, or redo the living room floor, one or the other. The costs are in addition to the ones I mentioned above.

Get yourself a good contractor, as this scope of work can be involved, and the structural integrity of your home is at stake.

Make sure you have informed your insurance agent, in writing.

Best,

Andrew Parker

Par-Tek Construction