How much does it cost to remove a wall in Gloucester?
Knocking two rooms into one? Post the job for free and it goes to local builders who cover your area. Only the builder who takes it on gets your contact details.
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Removing a wall
Knocking two rooms into one is a common building job, and the first question is always whether the wall is load-bearing. A load-bearing wall holds up something above it: floor joists, a wall upstairs or part of the roof. You can’t reliably tell by looking.
Removing a load-bearing wall needs building regulations approval. A structural engineer usually works out what the wall is supporting and designs the beam, which needs proper bearing at each end and sometimes padstones. Steel beams normally need fire protection, often by plastering or boarding around them. The builder will prop the structure above while the wall comes out.
Non-structural walls are simpler, but there may still be cables, pipes or radiators to move. Any electrical work should be done by an electrician, and some of it needs building regulations approval or a competent person scheme certificate.
In a semi or terrace, putting a beam into the party wall can bring in the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. You have to serve notice at least two months before work on a party wall starts.
In older houses, walls can hide surprises such as old flues, timber lintels or earlier alterations. If your house was built or refurbished before 2000, there could be asbestos in boarding or old coatings, so mention anything you’re unsure about. On a listed building, removing any wall is likely to need listed building consent.
What to include when you post
Photos from both sides of the wall help most. Include:
- Which wall, how long and how high it is
- Photos of both sides, the ceiling above and the room upstairs
- Whether you know if it’s load-bearing
- Whether you have structural calculations or drawings
- Radiators, sockets, switches or pipes on the wall
- Whether the wall joins a neighbour’s house
- The rough age of the house
- Whether you want the floor and ceiling made good where the wall was
- Whether you’ll be living in the house during the work
If an engineer has already visited, attach or describe their findings. It saves a builder guessing at the beam size and gives a firmer quote.
Approvals and neighbours
Removing a load-bearing wall needs building regulations approval. Agree who applies, who arranges the engineer’s calculations, and who books the inspections. At the end, make sure you get the completion certificate.
If the beam goes into a shared wall, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 may apply and you’ll need to serve notice before work starts.
When comparing quotes, ask:
- Whether the beam, padstones, propping and fire protection are included
- Whether plastering, flooring repairs and making good are in the price
- Who moves any electrics, pipes or radiators
- How dust will be controlled and who takes away the rubble
Get it in writing, with exclusions listed.
Not quite the right job?
See every job on our Builder page, or post it anyway and describe it in your own words.
Before a tradesperson starts work
Registrations
Some work must be done by a registered professional. Work on a gas boiler, cooker or fire must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer, which you can check on the Gas Safe Register.
Our business check
Limited companies are checked with Companies House and sole traders upload their insurance certificate. Trade registrations are confirmed by the tradesperson when they sign up.
Get the price in writing
Ask for a written quote that sets out the work and the price before anything starts. Your contract for the work is with the tradesperson.
Questions
What people tend to ask before booking this job. For anything specific to your home, ask the tradesperson who takes it on when they get in touch.
Not reliably by looking. A builder or structural engineer can check what the wall is supporting, such as joists, a wall above or the roof.
If the wall is load-bearing, usually, though timber or concrete can sometimes be used. The engineer specifies the size and building control inspects it.
For a load-bearing wall, yes. Building control checks the beam, its bearings and fire protection. For a non-structural wall, often not, but check if it affects fire escape routes or electrics.
Not usually for a house, as it's internal work. Listed buildings are the main exception, where listed building consent is likely to be needed.
If the beam will sit in a wall you share with a neighbour, it's likely to. You need to serve notice at least two months before starting that work.