How Much Does Steel I-Beam Installation Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $1,200 - $5,350
Steel I-beam installation costs between $1,200 and $5,350, with an average of $3,200. A pro will need to assess the size of the project and the labor involved.
Steel I-beam installation costs around $3,200, on average, but prices can fall anywhere between $1,000 and $20,000, depending on the length of the beam you need and whether you’re including it as part of new construction costs or a home renovation. Expect to pay between $100 to $400 per linear foot for your steel I-beam, and expect prices to be higher if you’re retrofitting an existing home as part of a renovation project.
- Average
- $3,200
- Low end
- $1,000
- high end
- $20,000
Size
Installing steel I-beams costs $100 to $400 per linear foot for labor and materials. Materials account for just a small portion of the total, but the size of the beam will also affect labor costs, with longer beams requiring more work to deliver and maneuver the beam into place.
| Steel I-Beam Size (Feet) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 10 | $1,000–$4,000 |
| 12 | $1,200–$4,800 |
| 16 | $1,600–$6,400 |
| 20 | $2,000–$8,000 |
| 30 | $3,000–$12,000 |
| 40 | $4,000–$16,000 |
| 50 | $5,000–$20,000 |
Structural Engineer Costs
Safely installing a steel beam requires the help of a structural engineer. Hiring a structural engineer costs $350 to $800 on average for an assessment. The engineer will inspect the property and provide a design with the correct beam size so you can hire a company specializing in steel beams to complete the job.
“Our rule is to never change a structural wall without the review and official letter from a licensed structural engineer,” says Bob Tschudi, Angi Expert Review Board member and general contractor in Raleigh, NC. “Not only can they advise you on how to secure the new framing, but they often can share ideas that other contractors paid them to identify.”
Additional Costs to Consider
Steel beam installation can come with plenty of prep work. Here are the common additional costs that homeowners encounter when tackling this project.
| Additional Costs | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Permits | $150–$2,000 |
| Delivery costs | $80–$400 |
| Removing a wall | $1,000–$10,000 |
| Relocating a gas line | $250–$750 |
| Relocating plumbing | $360–$2,000 |
| Removing asbestos | $1,200–$3,200 |
| Ceiling repairs | $45–$90 per sq. ft. |
| Foundational piers | $2,000–$4,000 each |
Permits
You’ll likely need a permit to replace a wall with a supporting beam. Prices vary between $150 and $2,000, so contact your local construction and inspections office. You might also need permits to move any plumbing or electrical.
Your structural engineer should ensure there’s proper strength to support the weight of the floor above. Don’t skip this step. Your permit might require it, but even if it doesn’t, you run the risk of collapse without a good foundation.
Delivery Costs
While your contractor will include delivery fees in their flat estimate, delivery will account for $80 to $400 of the total cost of the steel I-beam. Delivery fees increase if you live in a hard-to-reach area or if you need a particularly long steel I-beam that requires special equipment to deliver.
Remove a Wall
When preparing to add a steel I-beam-supported wall, you'll need to remove the old one first. Always double-check whether a wall is weight-bearing before removing it. If it is, the cost of removing the weight-bearing wall ranges from $1,400 to $10,000.
Relocating Gas Lines
Whether you're constructing a new wall or tackling pier-and-beam foundation repair, you may encounter gas lines that require delicate attention when installing your steel I-beam. Only a specialized contractor—typically a plumber—can adjust gas lines, and the cost to hire a gas pro to move a gas line runs between $375 and $750, depending on the length of the pipe.
Relocating Plumbing
Considering a redesign of your kitchen, bathroom, or basement? Pipe replacement costs range between $370 and $2,100, though they heavily depend on the type and use of the plumbing. For example, moving a washer and dryer hookup can cost up to $2,000. Plumbing relocation costs can get expensive if you have pipes running through the wall you’re removing and replacing with a steel I-beam, so make sure to get separate estimates before hiring anyone.
Removing Asbestos
Older homes may have larger problems lurking in the walls, including asbestos. Budget between $1,200 and $3,300 for the cost of asbestos removal, and always have the area checked before disturbing old insulation yourself.
Ceiling Repairs
Altering the design of walls can also affect the state of the adjacent ceiling. Remember that ceiling repairs cost between $45 and $90 per square foot, while replacing drywall costs $45 to $55 per square foot.
You may also need to install new ceiling beams or roof joists to reach the new steel I-beam, so you might need to budget for a larger section of ceiling repair than you initially thought. Ask your professional engineer how much of the ceiling they’ll need to remove for access during installation.
Adding Foundational Piers
Since installing a steel I-beam means moving the structural loads in your home, you may need to pay to install additional foundational piers to provide support for the new loads. I-beam foundation piers cost between $2,000 and $4,000 each. The price includes the cost of labor for a foundation repair team near you.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Install a Steel I-Beam
Even if you’re an avid DIYer with tons of experience, you’ll need some help to install your new steel I-beam. In fact, it’s a job that legally requires help from a certified professional throughout most of the country. Installing a steel I-beam involves making structural changes to your home, and any mistakes can lead to catastrophic consequences, including entire home collapse.
At a minimum, consult a structural engineer near you to ensure the beam size and placement are adequate to support the house. You’ll likely need to reroute things like plumbing, electrical, and gas lines that run through the wall. Hire professionals if those tasks are out of your comfort zone or require a licensed professional or a permit. In some cases, you’ll only get approved for the permit if you confirm that you've hired a professional for the job.
Steel I-Beam vs. Other Materials
Before solidifying your decision to install a steel I-beam, consider these alternatives:
Solid wood beams cost $6–$80 per linear foot and are the most traditional option for residential construction. Wooden beams aren’t as strong as steel I-beams and can’t span the same distances, but exposed wood beams provide a natural aesthetic.
Glulam beams cost $6–$40 per linear foot. Manufacturers make these beams with wood laminations pressed together with adhesives. They’re considered to be more durable than solid wood beams and can help create more open spaces with fewer supports getting in the way. However, they can’t stretch as far as steel I-beams without middle supports.
Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) is $3–$12 per linear foot. These are similar to glulam beams in that they’re made from engineered wood and sliced wood veneers. This material doesn’t shrink or warp and can handle vertical and horizontal loads. They’ll stretch longer than wood beams of equivalent sizes, but again, not nearly as far as steel I-beams can.
Keep in mind that some of these options are not as durable as steel I-beams and cannot open up your space as much.
| Support Beam Material | Average Cost (Per Linear Foot) |
|---|---|
| Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) | $3–$12 |
| Natural wood | $6–$80 |
| Glulam | $6–$40 |
| Steel I-beam | $6–$20 |
Repairing vs. Replacing a Steel I-Beam
If you already have a steel I-beam in place and are experiencing issues with sagging or beam integrity, your best option is to replace it altogether. Repairing and replacing will typically require a similar amount of work, and in both cases, you need to build back the wall or ceiling. So, you’re usually better off carrying out a full replacement. This will leave you with the highest level of structural integrity—plus, a replacement should last longer than a repair.
If you’re dealing with corrosion on your existing steel I-beam, it’s still a good idea to go with a full replacement, but you should also have a professional assess why you’re experiencing the issue in the first place. They might be able to direct you toward plumbing leaks or other problems that are causing the underlying issue to alleviate future concerns.
Ways to Save Money on Steel I-Beam Installation Costs
Steel I-beams will almost always run higher than the cost of LVL beams, but you’re saving money in the long run. Steel beams are incredibly strong, adding decades, if not centuries, of support to your home. There are a few ways to save on the cost of I-beam installation to get the best support for your home without breaking the bank:
Wait for the price of steel to drop before giving the green light for your project.
Work with a local contractor who has access to wholesale steel beam prices.
Start your project outside the busy construction season—often in the summer.
Consider alternative materials in case they fit your structural needs and cost less.
Does Installing a Steel I-Beam Increase Home Value?
Installing a steel I-beam will almost always increase your home value because it allows you to remove load-bearing walls and support beams to open up your space. Most homebuyers prefer open floor plans, and installing a steel I-beam is the best way to achieve that. You can reasonably expect a return on investment of around 80% to 90% of the installation cost, which is outstanding.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
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 extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on 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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Frequently Asked Questions
Steel I-beams are an increasingly popular choice for supporting a structure because they support a large amount of weight with a small profile and without the need for load-bearing walls or supports underneath. This allows for more open floor plans, which most people tend to prefer. They also resist fire, pests, and rot and last for the lifetime of your home.
You can install exposed solid wood beams for between $6 and $80 per linear foot, but these beams are often decorative if you’re retrofitting an existing home with them. Laminated veneer lumber beams, more commonly called LVL beams, cost $3 to $12 per linear foot, and while they can’t span nearly as long of a distance as steel I-beams, they can provide more open spaces than traditional wooden beams.
The best way to know if your beams still provide adequate support is to consult a structural engineer. Structural beams can crack and even sag over time but may still be structurally sound. Keep an eye out for signs of issues in your home, such as sagging floors or ceilings, major cracks in your ceiling and walls, or signs of water damage around a weight-bearing wall.