Structural Engineer for Wall Removal RSJ Beam Design • Padstones • Calculations • Building Control
Removing a load-bearing wall? Our structural engineer for wall removal service provides fixed-fee RSJ beam design and structural calculations for internal wall removals across the UK. A clear, Building Control-ready pack for your builder — delivered fast, without a site visit in most cases.
5/5 from 150+ reviews • Wall removals across the UK
Get Your Wall Removal Calculation Quote
Tell us about the wall and we'll confirm a fixed fee within one working day.
What a Structural Engineer for Wall Removal Provides
Everything your builder needs to remove the wall safely and everything Building Control needs to approve it.
RSJ and Steel Beam Sizing
We calculate the loads coming from above and size the steel beam (RSJ, universal beam or box section) that replaces the load-bearing wall.
- Load assessment from floors, walls and roof above
- Steel beam size and section specification
- Deflection check under working loads
Padstone Design
Where the beam bears onto the masonry at each end, we design the padstone to spread the load without crushing the brickwork beneath.
- Padstone size and specification
- Bearing length check onto masonry
- Lintel design where padstones bear onto a lintel
Temporary Propping Notes
Your builder needs to know how to prop the structure safely before the wall comes out. We include propping guidance as part of the pack.
- Number and position of temporary props
- Load on each prop for your builder
- Sequence of works advice
Builder-Ready Drawings
Clear dimensioned drawings showing beam size, padstone details and bearing positions so your builder can order the steel and install it correctly.
- Section through the new opening
- Padstone position and size detail
- Beam end bearing and connection notes
Building Control Calculation Pack
A complete set of structural calculations, formatted and referenced for Building Control submission by your architect or directly by your builder.
- Full load take-down calculation
- Beam design calculation
- Padstone and bearing calculations
Building Control Support
If Building Control comes back with technical queries, we respond directly and revise the pack as needed until approval is granted.
- Direct response to Building Control queries
- Reasonable revisions included in the fee
- Support until formal sign-off
From First Enquiry to Your Builder Starting Work
Most projects are completed without a site visit. Photos and dimensions are usually all we need to get started.
Send Photos and Dimensions
Share photographs of the wall, the floor above and the ceiling below, along with the approximate wall length and the number of floors above. We confirm a fixed fee within one working day.
Fixed Fee Agreed
You receive a clear scope, fixed price and turnaround time. No hourly rates and no surprises. Your builder knows when to expect the beam design.
RSJ Design and Drawings
We produce the full structural calculation pack — RSJ size, padstone design, propping notes and builder-ready drawings — typically within three to five working days.
Building Control Support
We deal with any Building Control queries directly and revise the pack as needed. Once approved, your builder can remove the wall and install the beam.
Information We Need to Design Your Wall Removal
The more you can tell us, the faster we can confirm your fee and get started.
The Wall Itself
- Photographs of the wall from both sides
- Approximate length of the wall
- Wall construction: brick, block or timber frame
What is Above
- Number of floors above the wall
- Photographs of floor joists above from the room above or loft
- Whether the wall runs parallel or at right angles to the joists
Property Details
- Property type: detached, semi or terrace
- Approximate age of the property
- Full address or postcode
Drawings (if available)
- Architect's or builder's drawings if available
- Existing floor plan showing wall position
- Any previous structural reports on the property
Wall Removals We Have Designed
Comments from homeowners and builders on load-bearing wall removal projects across the UK.
"Fast, clear and exactly what our builder needed. We had the RSJ size, padstone details and propping notes within four days. Building Control passed the calculations without any queries. Excellent service."
Kitchen and Dining Room Opening — Sheffield
"Our builder had worked with all sorts of structural engineers and said SECalcs were the best for wall removal calcs — clear drawings, sensible beam sizes and the whole pack was ready faster than we expected. Would highly recommend."
Full Open-Plan Ground Floor — Liverpool
"I wasn't sure whether the wall was load-bearing. SECalcs reviewed the photos and confirmed it was, sized the beam, and had the full Building Control pack ready in three days. Really responsive and knowledgeable."
Lounge and Dining Room — Nottingham
Structural Engineer for Wall Removal — Questions Answered
Common questions from homeowners and builders planning a load-bearing wall removal.
Yes. Building Control requires structural calculations and drawings before any load-bearing wall can be removed. The engineer sizes the steel beam that replaces the wall, designs the padstones, specifies the temporary propping and produces drawings your builder can follow. Without these calculations, Building Control cannot approve the work and your builder should not proceed.
We assess the loads coming from above the wall (floors, walls and roof), size the steel beam (RSJ or universal beam) that replaces it, design the padstone bearings where the beam sits on the masonry, specify temporary propping for your builder, and produce a full Building Control-ready calculation and drawing pack. The fee is fixed and agreed upfront.
Structural engineer fees for a load-bearing wall removal start from £300 for a single-span RSJ design. Projects with multiple spans, particularly heavy loads, or additional works such as combined extension structural calculations are priced on enquiry. All fees are fixed and agreed before any work begins.
The most reliable way to confirm whether a wall is load-bearing is to have a structural engineer assess it. As a general guide, walls running at right angles to the floor joists above, sitting on the foundations below, or positioned near the centre of the house are more likely to be load-bearing. However, without seeing the structure it is not possible to be certain — and getting it wrong has serious consequences for the building and for safety. We can assess from photographs in most cases.
In most cases, yes. We work from photographs of the wall, the floor above and any drawings you have. Your builder can take a few key measurements on site if needed. A site visit is occasionally required for older or more complex properties — we will tell you upfront if that is the case.
A standard wall removal uses a single horizontal steel beam (RSJ) bearing onto the masonry at each end with padstones. This works well for most residential openings where the masonry can carry the beam reactions. A steel box frame or goalpost frame uses steel columns and beams and is used when the opening is very wide, the loads are heavy, or when the masonry cannot safely carry the point loads from a single beam. We design both — if you are unsure which applies to your project, just describe it in your enquiry and we will advise.
Need a Structural Engineer for Wall Removal?
Send us a few photos of the wall and tell us what is above it. We'll confirm a fixed fee — most enquiries answered within one working day.
- Head Office: Corwell Lane, Uxbridge, England, UB8 3DE.
- 07359 267907
- info@structuralengineercalcs.com
- Company No: 12653163