I am knocking through my wall between the kitchen/dining room do I need a structural engineer?

Question

also how much do they cost & does anyone know a good one in oxford?

I am also going to knock through the back external wall so I can put in some french doors.

Answer 1

You can work out whether it's load bearing by the direction of the floorboards in the room above (the joists run at 90 degree angle to the boards). The external wall will need to have building regs etc so I wouldn't touch that if I were you.

Answer 2

Just to come out and have a look and tell you what is needed will only take an hour, and they shouldn't charge much (In the £30-£50 range perhaps, but ask beforehand). In some areas they may be able to advise you without even visiting, if there are a lot of similar properties nearby. You can probably find one through a surveyors or an estate agents, or just try yellow pages. Since you definitely need to know what you're doing for the french doors, just get advice on the internal wall at the same time.

Answer 3

Would be a good idea to consult a structural engineer first, especially for the french doors. The larger the opening you make, the larger the chance is that you could do damage. To determine if it is load bearing, you really have to look at what is above and below the wall. Are there other walls helping to support the load? How are the floor joists ran and what does the foundation look like underneath the house?

Answer 4

Be sure to support the weight of the floor above by placing a beam - of worthy dimensions! - between two solid up-rights about two to three feet away from the where the hole is going in. Make sure the beam covers the entire length of the proposed hole/demolition. This set up will support the above floor until you can determine if the wall is a load bearing wall. On any external wall it's always a load bearing wall.

Answer 5

First take all the drywall out so you can see all the studs, beams & supports in that area you desire. If you see a beam or double studs which looks different then all the rest, that might be a main house support beam. I would maybe have the opening around these beams, if you have them.
No, you don't need an Structural Engineer, unless your in a tall building and need permits. But if this is a homie project, you can ask you local lumber dealer these questions: Best would be Lumber 84 and Wicks, they have the most smart people there to ask. Stay away from Home Depot or Lowes, they hire the idoits of the idoits!

Answer 6

Yep, you'll definately need building regs approval as well, they will want to see a drawing from a qualified/insured architect.

Chances are you'll also need planning permission

To get it drawn up wit cost £2-400 + planning fees ( could be £265 (permission) + 150 (regs) depending on where you are )

If you knock the wall down without all this, chances are you'll not be insured if it all goes a bit wonky

Answer 7

you don't need a structural engineer or planning permission, but you must make sure that the wall is not load-bearing. if there is a bedroom wall above and it is brick, not a timber stud, it is load bearing and you need to call a builder in to put in a rsj, a steel joist, to take the weight of the wall. not a hard job but not a diy project as it is structural.

Answer 8

Kitchen/dining room wall will depend upon what is above it - if it is load bearing you will need an RSJ inn first to hold up what is above it. Re the outside wall you must consult a builder who should be able to advise you

Answer 9

Quick answer is yes. Where I live a HICK builder removed a supporting wall and not only did the house fall down, but the adjoining house also had to be demolished.

Answer 10

You need one. The house was designed assuming those walls/parts will be there, taking them out will put additional stress on anything above whatever you install. It won't matter if you're modifying the top of your house.

Good luck with it. sorry i dont know any in your area