Removing a load bearing wall - can it be done?

Zaney327

Has anyone been successful removing a load bearing wall? 

The house we are considering buying has a load bearing wall in between Family room and Kitchen.  We are wanting to know if this would be possible (maybe if beams can be put up for support) at some point.

Its not a deal breaker for, but just curious if anyone has been through something similar.  We like the open floor plan alot.

 

~NB~

Yes. Wasn't the big deal I thought it would be. Many resources are readily available to help you through it.

+PuppyWuppy+

Yup - it is really easy. We had a contractor remove the wall and add the additional support for us. I think it was around $1,500 - $2,000. This was not something we wanted to attempt ourselves. It was a very painless experience.

toothpastechica

+PuppyWuppy+:

Yup - it is really easy. We had a contractor remove the wall and add the additional support for us. I think it was around $1,500 - $2,000. This was not something we wanted to attempt ourselves. It was a very painless experience.

This....it can be done, but get a pro to do it. Its a major issue (for obv reasons) if it is not done right. Sometimes you can just add a more supported beam...other times you will have to leave some posts, depending on the length you are trying to cover and the age/layout of the house. Get a contractor to give you a quote and ask around to make sure you are getting a good contractor.

Magdala9

If the removing the load bearing wall requires removing part of the central beam for the house, it is a bad idea.    If the wall is load bearing but the central beam is not affected by the wall's removal, it can be done by installing a header to support the load. 

I have an open floor plan house, the benefits are space and light.   The downside is increased heating/cooling costs and you have to coordinate your decorating in the open rooms.    If you don't coordinate the decorating, it looks wrong.

HarleyKins

You can get rid of a load bearing wall but you should really enfore the header to keep the structure sound.

Cortney1982

Haven't done this myself but I had watched a lot of HGTV to know this can be really expensive and you'll want a professional to do it.  In same cases, an engineer is needed.  A handyman, or somebody who calls themselves a carpenter who thinks they know what they are doing can cost you a lot more in the long run after you start noticing structural damage.