Removing load-bearing walls can be hard but worth the effort

BEFORE: When an addition off the back of this walk-out basement created a larger family room, great effort went into hiding the new beam in the ceiling and the new columns in the walls where the old back wall of the house used to be. This ensured that the new space would feel like one large room rather than two small rooms next to each other.

Annie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson

Editor's note: Portions of this column were previously published on deseretnews.com and on their website at renovationdesigngroup.com.

Identifying load-bearing walls is an important part of home remodeling. However, just because a wall is a structural wall doesnt mean it cant be removed if needed. Removing a load-bearing wall is not a design deal breaker.

We have discussed removing structural walls in this column before, but it is worth discussing again.

Removing a structural wall is not so difficult that avoiding this possibility should be the driving factor in the redesign of your home. The most important consideration is to determine how your family functions and how your home can be changed to support your lifestyle.

If a structural wall needs to come down to achieve your goals, then so be it.

Removing a load-bearing wall will require the services of a structural engineer. When a project requires structural changes, the municipal body that will issue the building permit will require stamped, signed drawings and calculations issued by a licensed structural engineer.

Before beginning to draw final drawings, we like to meet with the engineer at the home to consult on what the existing structural conditions probably are. At this stage, design professionals use their expertise and experience to make educated assumptions regarding the structural framing of the house. If the structure is not visible, a few test holes may be cut here and there which are helpful. However, it is not until the contractor actually tears into the project that the whole structural story may be known.

There are many ways to put a house together some much better than others so it is not shocking or upsetting if part of the solution has to be reconsidered. When you have created a great team with a competent, experienced architect, engineer and contractor, the adjustments can be quickly made, and you are on your way again. There is usually not a great financial impact to such a redesign. Keeping a 10 percent contingency fund will help in not being stressed by the adjustments that may happen along the way.

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Removing load-bearing walls can be hard but worth the effort