How Much Does It Cost to Knock Down a Wall? (2026 UK Guide)
How much does it cost to knock down a wall in the UK in 2026? It depends on whether the wall is load-bearing, the size of the opening and the property type. Most kitchen knock-throughs cost between £1,800 and £4,500 in total including the structural engineer fee, the steel beam, the builder's labour and making good. This guide covers the complete project budget so you can plan accurately before you start.
Quick Cost Summary: Knocking Down a Wall in 2026
| Cost Element | Typical Cost (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Structural engineer fee | £245 to £600 | Required for all load-bearing walls |
| Steel RSJ beam (supply) | £80 to £300 | Depends on span and beam size |
| Builder labour | £800 to £2,000 | Propping, removal, beam installation |
| Making good (plaster, floor, ceiling) | £500 to £1,500 | Matching period features adds cost |
| Building Control fee | £200 to £500 | Local authority or private inspector |
Total typical cost to knock down a wall (load-bearing): £1,800 to £4,500. Non-load-bearing walls cost significantly less because no steel beam or structural engineer is needed.
Is the Wall Load Bearing? How Much to Knock Down a Wall Changes Completely
The biggest single factor in wall removal cost is whether the wall is load-bearing. A non-load-bearing partition can be removed by a builder with just some plasterwork to make good. A load-bearing wall requires structural calculations, a steel beam and Building Control approval.
Non-load-bearing wall removal cost
£400 to £1,200 total. No structural engineer, no steel, no Building Control application. The main costs are the builder's labour and the plastering.
Load-bearing wall removal cost
£1,800 to £4,500 total. Structural engineer fee, steel RSJ supply, installation and Building Control approval are all required on top of the builder and making good. See our detailed guide: load bearing wall removal cost.
How Much Does It Cost to Knock Down a Wall: Each Element Explained
Structural engineer fee: £245 to £600
Building Control requires structural calculations for any load-bearing wall removal. The engineer calculates the correct RSJ beam, designs the padstones at each end and produces a Building Control-ready pack. Without this, Building Control will not approve the work. A single-span kitchen knock-through starts from £245 and is usually ready the next working day. For a full breakdown: structural engineer cost guide.
Steel RSJ beam: £80 to £300
Your builder orders the RSJ from a steel stockholder based on the structural engineer's specification. A typical beam for a 3 to 4 metre kitchen opening costs £80 to £180. Longer spans and heavier sections cost more. The structural engineer's drawings include the exact beam specification to nothing is ordered until the calculations are done.
Builder's labour: £800 to £2,000
Removing a load-bearing wall involves installing temporary propping before the wall comes down, removing the masonry, setting the beam on padstones and removing the temporary works. A typical kitchen knock-through takes two people one to two days. Solid brick walls in Victorian terraces take longer than modern cavity brick. London and South East rates are typically 25 to 40% higher than the national average.
Making good: £500 to £1,500
Once the beam is in place, the floor, ceiling and wall junctions need making good. Matching period features to original coving, floorboards, tiles to costs significantly more than a plain plaster finish. Budget at the higher end if your property has original features you want to preserve.
Building Control fee: £200 to £500
All load-bearing wall removals require Building Control approval. Your structural engineer's calculation pack is what you submit. See our guide to structural calculations for Building Control for the full process.
Real Examples: Wall Removal Costs in 2026
Example 1: Kitchen-diner knock-through, 1930s semi
3.5m opening, load-bearing wall, plain plaster finish.
- Structural engineer: £320
- RSJ beam (152x89 UB): £130
- Builder labour (2 days): £900
- Plastering and making good: £600
- Building Control: £280
Total: approximately £2,230
Example 2: Open-plan lounge, Victorian terrace
4.5m opening through solid brick, chimney breast removed at the same time, period coving matched.
- Structural engineer (wall and chimney): £550
- RSJ beam (178x102 UB): £190
- Builder labour (3 days): £1,400
- Plastering, coving, making good: £1,100
- Building Control: £320
Total: approximately £3,560
Example 3: Non-load-bearing partition, two bedrooms
2.4m lightweight partition, confirmed non-structural from drawings.
- Builder labour (half day): £300
- Plastering and making good: £350
Total: approximately £650 to no engineer, no steel, no Building Control
What Affects How Much It Costs to Knock Down a Wall
- Wall construction: solid Victorian brick costs more to remove than modern cavity brick or lightweight block
- Opening width: wider openings need heavier beams and more substantial propping
- Floors above: a wall carrying two floors plus a roof needs a larger beam than one carrying a single floor
- Making good complexity: matching period features costs significantly more than a plain finish
- Access: tight access on terrace houses with no side passage increases labour time
- Location: London and South East add 25 to 40% to labour costs
FAQ: How Much Does It Cost to Knock Down a Wall?
How much does it cost to knock through a kitchen wall?
A kitchen-diner knock-through through a load-bearing wall typically costs £1,800 to £3,000 in total including the structural engineer, steel, builder and making good. Non-load-bearing kitchen walls cost £500 to £1,200.
Do I need planning permission to knock down an internal wall?
No. Internal wall removals do not require planning permission. They require Building Control approval if the wall is load-bearing, but planning is a separate process that applies to external changes.
How long does it take to knock down a wall?
The builder's work on site typically takes one to three days. Before that you need the structural engineer's calculations (24 to 72 hours for a simple wall removal) and Building Control plans approval (usually five working days).
Can a builder guess the beam size?
No. Building Control will not accept a guess, and an undersized beam will cause the floor above to deflect and crack. The structural engineer's calculation is what protects you legally and financially. It starts from £245 and is ready the next working day for most domestic wall removals.