Licensed general contractor. Insured. Fixed written estimates. Permits pulled under our own license.
What removing a load-bearing wall involves
Most LA homes built before 1980 have a wall between the kitchen and living room that carries roof or ceiling load. Removing it means an engineer sizes a beam and posts, we shore the ceiling, cut the wall out, set the beam, transfer the load, then patch floors, ceilings and walls so nothing shows. It is permitted, inspected work, and it is the single most common first step of a kitchen remodel.
Beam options
- Flush beam hidden in the ceiling for a clean, uninterrupted line.
- Dropped beam below the ceiling, faster and less invasive, can be wrapped or left as a feature.
- Steel beam for long spans or two-story loads.
- Partial opening with a header when a full removal is not needed.
What we check before we cut
- Direction of ceiling joists and roof rafters, and what the wall actually carries
- Plumbing, electrical and HVAC runs inside the wall
- Foundation and footing under the new post locations
- Second-floor loads if the house has two stories
- Floor patching: hardwood weave-in, tile or slab work
How the job runs
- Site visit: we open a small inspection hole and confirm framing and utilities.
- Structural engineering and a permit through LADBS or your city.
- Temporary shoring walls on both sides.
- Wall removal, beam and post installation, load transfer and inspection.
- Reroute any wiring or plumbing that lived in the wall.
- Drywall, ceiling and floor patching, paint and trim.
Why not just do it without a permit?
Because an unpermitted structural change shows up at sale, in an insurance claim and, worst case, as a sagging ceiling two years later. We are a licensed general contractor: the beam is engineered, the work is inspected and you get the paperwork.
Related remodeling services
- Kitchen Remodeling
- Whole Home Renovation
- Drywall Repair & Installation
- Flooring Installation & Repair
- Electrical Repairs & Upgrades
- Recessed Lighting & Ceiling Fans
Where we build this in Los Angeles
Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Woodland Hills, Encino, Tarzana, Granada Hills, Culver City, Burbank and across the San Fernando Valley and the Westside.
Planning guides
What is included in this service
- Inspection opening and framing verification
- Structural engineering and beam sizing
- LADBS or city permit and inspections
- Temporary shoring
- Wall demolition and disposal
- Beam, posts and footings as engineered
- Rerouting of electrical, plumbing and HVAC in the wall
- Drywall, ceiling and floor patching
- Paint and trim to match
- Final clean and walkthrough
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my wall is load-bearing?
Walls perpendicular to ceiling joists and walls near the center of the house usually are. We confirm by opening a small inspection hole at the site visit.
Do I need a permit to remove a wall?
For a load-bearing wall, yes, with engineering and inspection. For a non-bearing partition, usually not, but we check for utilities first.
How long does it take?
Engineering and permit take 2-4 weeks. The removal, beam and patching take one to three weeks depending on finishes.
Will there be a beam showing?
Your choice. A flush beam hides in the ceiling; a dropped beam is faster and can be a design feature.
Can you do this as part of a kitchen remodel?
Yes, and that is the most common case. We sequence it first so the kitchen layout can use the open span.
What about the floor where the wall was?
We weave in hardwood, patch tile or pour and level slab so the line disappears.
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