Consider what the wall supports before it goes.
A wall may carry floors, roof members, masonry or loads from previous alterations. Establishing its role is the first step in assessing a proposed opening. A permanent design should identify the new support and how that support connects to the remaining structure.
Small domestic alterations still deserve careful engineering. The focus is on what carries the load, what will change and the information your contractor needs to price and plan the work. For wall removal & rsjs, the first conversation is about your objectives, what is known about the building and what needs to be established.
What the appointment can include
- Assessment of the information available for the wall
- Design of an agreed beam or support arrangement
- Consideration of bearings and supporting walls or columns
- Relevant calculation and drawing information
- Identification of site checks or further opening-up required
The written quotation will identify the actual deliverables and exclusions for your project.
Questions to resolve
What is carried by the wall?
Start with the available drawings and observations. Where the information is incomplete, agree the necessary survey or investigation before making a design assumption.
Are the supports and foundations below adequate?
Consider how the proposed work connects to the existing property and any specialist design. Record interfaces and limitations in the project brief.
Who is responsible for temporary works?
Make the responsibility clear in writing. A coordinated project needs a shared understanding of who provides, checks and uses each part of the information.
Explore an illustrative project
Our concept study explains the design questions without presenting generated imagery as evidence of client work.
Opening up a family kitchen ↗