Load Bearing Wall Removals
Structural Calculations & RSJ Beam Design
Load bearing wall removal calculations from SECalcs are produced by a Chartered Structural Engineer and delivered as a Building Control-ready pack your builder can follow on site.
- RSJ and steel beam design — not guesswork
- Fixed fee confirmed before work starts
- Building Control-ready pack in 24–72 hours
- Used by homeowners and wall removal contractors across the UK
Typical projects: kitchen knock-throughs, chimney breast removals, rear wall openings and extension steelwork.
Internal Wall Removal Cost Calculator
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Planning estimate only. Use the quote form for a fixed fee specific to your project.
Structural Engineer Cost for Wall Removal
The engineer fee is legally required and typically less than 10% of the total project cost.
What the fee includes
- RSJ beam sizing and section specification
- Padstone design and masonry bearing checks
- Full calculation pack for Building Control submission
- Structural drawings your builder follows on site
- Response to any Building Control queries after submission
A builder's beam size estimate is not sufficient. See our full structural engineer cost guide.
Load Bearing Wall Removal Calculations
This is the document your builder and Building Control both need before structural work begins.
What the calculation pack includes
- Beam section sizing — e.g., 203×133×30 UB based on your span and load
- Utilisation check — beam proven within capacity to Eurocode 3
- Deflection check — sag limited to prevent cracked plaster (L/360)
- Padstone design — concrete bearing pads at each beam end
- Masonry checks — walls below verified to carry the new load
- Drawings — beam position, padstone location, connection details
Turnaround times
All packs are signed off by a Chartered Structural Engineer (MIStructE) and formatted for direct submission to Building Control.
What Is a Load Bearing Wall?
A load bearing wall carries the weight of the structure above — floors, roof timbers, masonry and sometimes chimney breasts.
Remove it without a properly designed steel beam and the loads have nowhere safe to go.
We assess the full load path — not just the wall you want to remove — and design the right RSJ to carry the loads safely.
- Sits directly under joists or beams from above
- Brick or block wall that lines up with walls upstairs
- Supports a chimney breast or heavy masonry above
If unsure — treat it as load bearing and speak to a structural engineer before any cutting starts.
Typical Load Bearing Wall Removal Projects
- Kitchen and dining room knock-throughs
We design the RSJ, padstones and any posts so the new opening is safe and passes Building Control. - Rear wall openings for bi-folds and extensions
We set beam sizes so deflection limits keep bi-fold doors operating smoothly. - Chimney breast and nib removals
We design beams or brackets and check the wall to each side of the removal. - Internal walls removed as part of loft conversions
We check how new loft beams tie into existing walls below. - Checks on past wall removal work
No records from a previous owner? We inspect, check the beam size and issue a written report. - Support for builders and wall removal contractors
Fast RSJ design so contractors can price and plan jobs with confidence.
Design Checks We Perform
Every calculation pack includes four critical checks before issue:
- Beam section — e.g., 203×133×30 UB (Universal Beam)
- Utilisation ratio — beam within capacity (e.g., 0.82 EC3)
- Deflection — sag limited to prevent cracked plaster (L/360)
- Building Control format — ready to submit in 24–72 hours
What Our Clients Say
"SECalcs sized the RSJ, padstones and posts and Building Control signed it off without any changes."
Homeowner, Manchester
"As a wall removal company we need reliable calculations. The drawings are clear and quotes are easier because we know the beam sizes early."
Wall removal contractor
"Previous owner had removed a wall with no records. SECalcs checked the beam and gave us written confirmation that satisfied the surveyor."
Buyer, Surrey
Watch: Load Bearing Wall Removal Engineering
A short tutorial showing the key design checks for steel beam sizes in a typical wall removal:
- How to confirm if the wall is load bearing
- What information is needed to size the steel beam
- How deflection and bearing checks work
Wall Removal Calculations Across the UK
We cover England and Wales. Most projects are completed from drawings and photos — no site visit needed.
Recent calculations have been produced for homeowners in Manchester, London, Birmingham, Cambridge, Coventry, Leeds, Bristol, Sheffield and many more locations.
Load Bearing Wall Removal FAQs
Ready to Open Up Your Space?
Send us a few details and we will confirm a fixed fee for your load bearing wall removal calculations.
Your builder gets a clear pack. Building Control gets signed calculations. You get peace of mind.
- Head Office: Corwell Lane, Uxbridge, England, UB8 3DE.
- 07359 267907
- info@structuralengineercalcs.com
- Company No: 12653163