Beam installation costs $3,346 on average, and prices commonly range from $1,253 up to $5,440, depending on the type of beam, the length, and more.
Beam installation costs an average of $3,346, but prices can range from $225 up to $11,500 depending on a few factors, like the type of beam you need, the length, and more. You can expect to pay between $3 and $40 per linear foot of beam you need, with steel beams totaling between $6 and $20 per square foot.
The type of beam you need will have a significant impact on your beam costs, as some materials are up to twice as expensive as others. Traditional wooden beams, LVL beams, aluminum, and steel beams fall on the lower end of the range, and engineered wood and glulam beams are some of the most expensive.
We’ll include typical pricing for each type of beam in the table below but note that these might not all be options available to you. You should contact a local structural engineer to help decide which type of beam is right for your project.
| Beam Type | Material Cost (per Linear Foot) |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | $13–$30 |
| Engineered wood | $3–$40 |
| Glulam | $5–$40 |
| LVL | $3–$12 |
| Steel | $6–$20 |
| Traditional wood | $5–$30 |
Since support beams often include pricing by the linear foot, it’s probably obvious that beam installation costs can vary by size, too. Longer beams will not only require more material and labor to install, but they can also be more challenging to deliver, which can drive up delivery costs. The average cost per linear foot for beam installation is around $17 per linear foot for materials only, but prices can range from $3 up to $40 or more depending on the material.
The table below includes pricing based on beam size, but note that beam thickness will also play a role. You might need to upgrade to thicker beams to support more weight or span greater distances to create a more open floor plan. Again, speak with a structural engineer to figure out which beam size is right for your project.
| Beam Length (ft.) | Avg Material Cost |
|---|---|
| 10 | $170 |
| 20 | $340 |
| 30 | $510 |
| 40 | $680 |
Beam installation requires help from a professional—often a general contractor—because it’s a structural component of the home. You can expect to pay between $60 and $400 per linear foot for labor for beam installation if you hire a local general contractor.
It’s crucial to note that this is the price for the beam installation only. It doesn’t include removing a load-bearing wall, replacing and refinishing drywall after the installation, or any other form of buildback to return your home to its original condition. You’ll have to budget separately for these line items.
Most projects that involve installing a beam or replacing one will require help from a structural engineer, as they’ll need to draw up building plans or sign off on plans from an architect to ensure the construction is safe. Structural engineers cost between $350 and $500 for this type of project.
Before you move forward with beam replacement, you may want to budget for some other professionals who can help bring your home back to its pre-construction condition.
Drywall installer cost: $1,000–$3,200
Interior painter cost: $1,000–$3,000
Flooring installer cost: $1,500–$5,000
Foundation repair professional cost: $2,200–$8,000
The majority of your beam installation cost will go toward labor, so your costs will vary quite a bit based on your location and the cost of living in your area. You can expect to pay more for beam installation in high-cost states or in and around metropolitan areas to account for the higher cost of living.
| State | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| California | $4,720 |
| Florida | $3,380 |
| Georgia | $3,000 |
| Illinois | $3,130 |
| Michigan | $3,000 |
| New York | $4,080 |
| North Carolina | $3,210 |
| Ohio | $3,100 |
| Pennsylvania | $3,140 |
| Texas | $3,030 |
There are a few other things that can affect your budget that you should consider if you want the most accurate estimate possible.
Generally speaking, there are two kinds of projects that may require beam installation: a renovation project that includes a change to the footprint or structural loads of your home and new construction. Installing a beam during a new construction project is significantly easier because your contractor doesn’t have to cut away, replace, or relocate drywall, insulation, or plumbing and electrical lines. As such, you can expect installation costs to sit closer to $1,253 for new construction.
If you’re installing a beam as a part of a home renovation, not only will your contractor have to work around building materials, but you’ll also have to budget for buildback after the installation. In that case, your total is likely to push closer to $5,440.
One of the most expensive types of beam installation will be for the main beam. The cost of replacing the main support beam in your home averages around $3,250 but can reach as high as $25,000. Accessibility to the beam you need to replace is a major factor, so you’ll see lower costs if you’re replacing a beam in an exposed pier and beam foundation, for example, than you would if replacing a beam surrounded by building material and interior finishes.
Beam installation as a part of a home renovation or add-on will often demand some demolition to expose the area where the new beam will sit, which can increase costs a bit. If you’re replacing a beam in your home, as is often the case when installing a steel beam instead of a wood beam to open up your floor plan, your contractor will also need to do some prep work beforehand to ensure the structural components remain supported while they’re working.
Demolition and prep work can vary widely in price depending on the extent of the work you need.
Many general contractors will include some level of post-construction cleanup with major construction projects like beam installation, but you’ll need to check your contract to see if yours does include it. If not, you can expect to pay somewhere between $270 and $700 for an in-depth cleaning after installation.
Beams are long and heavy, so delivering yours to your home isn’t always a trivial task. For smaller beams under 20 feet, your contractor will often be able to bring the beam to your home using a standard truck. For longer or heavier beams, you’ll likely need delivery on a flatbed, which will cost you more for the specialized equipment. Expect to pay between $100 and $370 for beam delivery if your materials are longer than 20 feet.
Finally, most projects that require beam installation will include structural changes to your home, which will require building permits. Permits for beam installation will often cost between $100 and $500, depending on where you live. Some municipalities charge for permits based on a percentage of the total construction cost, so your permits could be more expensive if you’re installing a beam as part of a larger construction project.
For homeowners who have damaged beams in their homes, the question of whether it’s better to repair or replace the structural component is an important one to consider. In most cases, repairing by installing additional supports to take loads off of the damaged beam will be less expensive and less intrusive, but it may not last as long as a full replacement.
You should speak with a structural engineer in your area to see what the best course of action would be.
With beam installation costs reaching as high as $11,500, you may want to explore the following options that can help you save some money in the process.
Consider a repair instead. If you speak with a structural engineer and discover that beam repair would be a safe alternative to replacement, this option will usually save you money, as it takes less materials and labor to complete.
Choose your material carefully. Beam costs range widely depending on the material, so choose the most affordable option that an engineer confirms will suit your project to save money. For example, you could pay $20 less per linear foot for the cost of an LVL beam than you would for an engineered wood beam.
Get the work done by a structural engineer. You’ll need a structural engineer to design your beam for you, but you can choose a general contractor to do the installation. If your engineer is also willing to do the physical labor, you could save a bit on labor costs if you guarantee them the entire job from start to finish.
Tackle the buildback yourself. While you shouldn’t attempt to install or replace structural beams in your home, you can DIY some of the work to reduce labor costs. Consider tackling things like drywall repair, repainting, and post-construction cleanup to save some money.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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In most cases, no, it’s not legal to install a beam yourself. Most municipalities require certified professionals to tackle any structural work within a home or commercial building, so installing or altering structural beams isn’t suitable for DIYers. Instead, consult a structural engineer and a general contractor to get the work done safely.
It’s sometimes safe to replace a load-bearing wall with a beam, but you need a structural engineer to sign off on the project. You’ll also likely have to upgrade to a steel I-beam or another material that’s stronger than wood to maintain the level of support you need without the wall underneath.
You should avoid drilling or cutting into load-bearing beams because removing material will weaken it and increase the risk of structural damage or even collapse. If you do need to drill into a load-bearing beam, speak with a structural engineer first to discuss where it’s safest to drill and the width and depth of the bit that’s safe to use.
