Home / Services / Interior alteration / load-bearing wall
Project type
Opening up a house, safely and with the right approvals
Structural openings and layout changes, coordinated with an engineer and documented for the building department.
Do you need this?
Removing or altering a load-bearing wall changes how the building carries loads, so it generally requires engineered drawings and a building permit. Non-structural partitions often do not, but the answer depends on your municipality and what is inside the wall.
What you receive
- Site review to identify what carries load
- Layout options for the opened-up space
- Coordination with a structural engineer for beams and posts
- Notes for temporary support during construction
- Permit drawings and submission support
- Coordination of mechanical and electrical changes
What we need from you
- Photos of the wall and the floors above and below
- Existing drawings, if any
- What you want the space to become
- Access to the attic or basement
What affects timeline and cost
- Span and loads above
- Beam depth compared with ceiling height
- Pipes, ducts and wiring inside the wall
- Footing or foundation needs under new posts
- Finishes affected
We cannot promise municipal timelines. Our early-stage fees are on the pricing page.
Comments reviewers commonly raise
- Missing engineer’s design or seal
- Beam bearing at the ends
- Fire separation and egress
- Relocation of ducts and plumbing
- Notes on temporary shoring
Common questions
Before you start
How do I know if a wall is load-bearing?
Joist direction, wall location and the structure above give clues, but only a site review can confirm.
Do I need an engineer?
For load-bearing changes, almost always.
Can the work be done in stages?
Yes, with temporary support planned by the engineer and contractor.
Related services
Engineering coordination
Engineering from affiliated firms or your own engineer, coordinated with our drawings so the building works as one set.
Home addition
Rear, side, garage and second-storey additions, checked against zoning before you invest in design.
Building permit drawings
Clear, coordinated drawings that show your municipality how the work meets the Ontario Building Code and zoning, with the city’s comments handled through to approval.
Start with a 15-minute call
Send us the address and what you are planning. We will tell you what is likely to be involved before you spend anything.
LA Design Inc. (operating as LA Architects & Partners) · 111 Valleymede Dr, Richmond Hill, ON