How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Load-Bearing Wall? [2024 Data]

Size

The size of the wall can impact the cost of removal. You’ll need to demolish the existing wall and install load-bearing beams for support. It costs $0.30 to $6.40 per square foot to demolish the existing wall and $3 to $35 per linear foot for the beams, depending on the material. The higher your ceilings, the taller the beam.

General Contractor Cost

The cost of a general contractor is between 10% to 20% of the total project cost. Contractors charge per project and only rarely charge per hour, which case the average rates are $50 to $150 per hour or $300 to $500 per day. If they require a helper, you can expect to spend an additional $150 to $250 per day.

Since removing a load-bearing wall can seriously impact the structure of your home, you’ll want to hire a licensed general contractor to manage the project. Not only do they have a deep understanding of building code and the expertise to undertake large construction projects, but they’ll also manage a team of subcontractors, which could include plumbers, electricians, and structural engineers. 

Additional Pros to Consider Hiring 

A solid portion of load-bearing wall removal costs goes toward labor. In addition to hiring a general contractor, you may need to hire several different pros. This includes a local structural engineer or an architect to make sure your home remains structurally sound, as well as electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians to deal with what’s inside of your walls:

• Architect costs: 8%–20% of the total project

• Structural engineer costs: $350–$800

• Electrician costs: $50–$100 per hour

• Plumber costs: $45–$200 per hour

• HVAC technician costs: $100–$250 per hour

• Carpenter costs: $40–$125 per hour

Material

Demolition is another key factor when removing load-bearing walls. Your wall material will impact how much the demo portion of your project will add to its price. For example, demoing a brick wall will cost more than demoing drywall. Below is a table of the cost of removing a load-bearing wall by material.

Additional Cost Factors of Removing a Load-Bearing Wall

The basic load-bearing wall removal costs involve the size and material of the wall, as well as the labor. Beyond that, a few factors can dramatically impact the price, including the location of the wall, the number of stories in your home, and what’s inside the wall you’re trying to remove.

One-Story vs. Multi-Story House

If you have a multi-level home, the cost to remove a load-bearing wall climbs. For a single-story home, you’ll pay around $1,200 to $3,000. But for a two- or three-story home, that price can reach $3,200 to $10,000.

Interior vs. Exterior Wall

Removing an interior and exterior load-bearing wall is entirely different, and the total cost reflects this difference. On average, removing an interior load-bearing wall costs $1,200 to $2,500, depending on the material and whether you have lines and ducts inside that wall that must be rerouted. 

Most contractors rarely remove exterior walls because they’re fundamental to the structure of your home. If you build an addition, the engineer will likely leave the wall in place and add a door or egress. If you need to remove an exterior wall, you’ll need to hire a structural engineer, architect, and general contractor to get this job done safely and budget for up to $10,000. 

Permits

Your remodel must adhere to local building codes, pass inspections, and have the proper permits. After all, load-bearing walls offer support to the rest of the house, and your permitting agency will want to know that the structural integrity of your home is not affected. The average cost for a building permit is $1,700, but it could cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000 depending on the scope of the project.

Removing Mold or Asbestos 

If you’ve had water damage, you might have mold in your walls. Mold remediation costs around $10 to $25 per square foot, depending on the severity of the mold growth. Another issue that can run up this project total is asbestos. On average, asbestos removal costs $5 to $20 per square foot. 

Rerouting Electrical Wires

For your lights to continue working as expected after removing your wall, all the electrical wires that your wall was housing will need to be rerouted. On average, an electrician will charge $50 to $150 per hour to do this job. Factors such as project complexity and the type of wiring can impact this project’s total cost.

Rerouting Plumbing or Gas Lines

Sometimes, when removing a load-bearing wall, you’ll need to reroute any existing lines. You can expect to pay $45 to $200 per hour for a plumber to reroute your plumbing lines. If gas lines need to be moved, budget for $15 to $25 per linear foot.

Touching Up Paint or the Wallpaper

Another cost you’d need to budget for is touching up your paint or wallpaper. The last thing you’d want is chipped paint or torn wallpaper after removing your wall. A fresh paint job will cost $2 to $6 per square foot, plus $20 to $50 per hour for a painter to complete the task. 

Retexturing the Ceiling or Adjoining Walls

If you can’t live without your textured wall, restoring it or your ceiling to its former glory can cost around $45 for a 35-square-foot area. On average, a task like this costs $1.80 to $3.80 per square foot. Factors such as the type of texture and whether you need a wall, ceiling, or both retextured can impact the cost. 

Moving HVAC Ducts

You might need to reroute your HVAC ducts with a project like this. Moving your ducts can cost $25 to $55 per linear foot. Factors such as the type of ducts and whether you need to update them can add to this project’s price.

Costs to Remove a Load-Bearing Wall and Add a Beam

When removing a load-bearing wall, you’ll need to put a beam in its place. Hiring a pro to replace a load-bearing wall with a beam costs $3,300, though the price depends on the type of support beam you need. “For larger sections, your structural engineer will specify additional foundational elements, such as footings and concrete piers below one or both ends of the support beam,” says Robert Tschudi, Expert Review Board member and North Carolina-based homebuilder and remodeler. 

Other types of beams may include:

• Laminated lumber beams: 5.25" x 13.75" x 16’ Glulam beam costs about $440

• Sawn timber beam: 8” x 12” x 16’ long beam is about $290

The price of each type of beam depends on the availability of the material, length, width, and labor cost for installation. Some decorative beams may add to the look of your room but may not offer the support you need. Before choosing a support beam, consult a pro who removes load-bearing walls for expert advice and guidance.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Remove a Load-Bearing Wall

While grabbing a sledgehammer and chipping away at your wall bit by bit until your space is wide open might sound appealing, this isn’t a DIY project we recommend. A load-bearing wall is a key part of your home’s structure, and its removal should be handled carefully. Plus, not many homeowners know how to tell if a wall is load-bearing with confidence. That’s why we recommend leaving this job to the pros.

“The larger the opening you are making in the structural wall, the more hazardous it can be,” says Tschudi. “Most homeowners can successfully install a header over a new doorway safely, but anything larger should be done only after consulting a general contractor, a framing carpenter, or a structural engineer.”

Also, you’d likely need a structural engineer foundation inspection before and after the job, an engineer, an HVAC tech, a plumber, and a general contractor or carpenter to oversee this project. 

Saving Money on the Cost to Remove a Load-Bearing Wall

Photo: 4595886 / Adobe Stock

While DIYing this project isn’t feasible for most homeowners, that doesn’t mean your project’s total cost is set in stone. If you’re up for a weekend project, it’s possible to save money when removing your wall. Here are a few ways you can do so:

• Painting: If you’re removing a portion of your wall, it and your ceiling may need to be repainted to keep everything looking good as new. You can bypass hiring a painter by tackling this part of the project yourself.

• Adding fresh wallpaper: Your wallpaper will look worse for wear if you only remove part of your load-bearing wall. So, you can install a fresh layer of wallpaper yourself to save some bucks.

• Opting for budget-friendly material: There are different types of beam materials on the market, and if you have a little flexibility, you can look for the most budget-friendly option that still meets your needs. For example, an LVL beam costs around $3–$12 per linear foot, while a steel beam costs about $6–$20 per linear foot.