Load-Bearing Wall Removal Guide Ottawa: What You Need to Know

# Load-Bearing Wall Removal Guide Ottawa: What You Need to Know

*Last updated: December 2025 | Read time: 9 min*

Opening up your floor plan by removing a wall can transform your home. But if that wall is load-bearing, the project becomes significantly more complex. This guide covers what Ottawa homeowners need to know before taking down walls.

**Quick answer:** Load-bearing wall removal in Ottawa costs $3,000-$15,000 depending on span and beam requirements. A structural engineer is required, permits are mandatory, and proper support beams must be installed.

## Table of Contents

1. [Load-Bearing vs Non-Load-Bearing](#identifying)

2. [How to Tell the Difference](#how-to-tell)

3. [What's Required](#requirements)

4. [Cost Breakdown](#costs)

5. [The Process](#process)

6. [Beam Options](#beams)

7. [Permits & Engineering](#permits)

---

## Load-Bearing vs Non-Load-Bearing {#identifying}

### What is a Load-Bearing Wall?

A load-bearing wall supports weight from above - the floor, roof, or another storey. Remove it without proper support, and your house can sag, crack, or worse.

### What is a Non-Load-Bearing Wall?

Also called partition walls, these only support themselves. They divide spaces but carry no structural weight. These can usually be removed without structural modifications.

### Why It Matters

| Wall Type | Removal Complexity | Typical Cost |

|-----------|-------------------|--------------|

| Non-load-bearing | Simple drywall work | $500-2,000 |

| Load-bearing | Requires beam, permits, engineering | $3,000-15,000+ |

---

## How to Tell the Difference {#how-to-tell}

### Signs It's Likely Load-Bearing

**Wall runs perpendicular to joists:**

- Look in basement or attic

- If floor/ceiling joists run into the wall, likely load-bearing

**Wall is in the center of the house:**

- Exterior walls are always load-bearing

- Center walls often support spans

**Wall runs continuously through floors:**

- Walls that stack floor to floor are often structural

**Wall is thick (6" or more):**

- May contain doubled studs or posts

**Wall has posts in basement below:**

- Teleposts or columns below indicate support above

### Signs It's Likely Non-Load-Bearing

- Runs parallel to joists

- Doesn't align with walls above/below

- Standard 2x4 construction

- No support below

### The Only Way to Know for Sure

**Hire a structural engineer.** Visual inspection isn't enough. Engineers check:

- Joist direction and span

- Loads from above

- Foundation support

- Original blueprints (if available)

Cost for engineer assessment: $300-800

---

## What's Required for Removal {#requirements}

### For Load-Bearing Wall Removal

| Requirement | Details |

|-------------|---------|

| Structural engineer | Design beam and posts |

| Building permit | City of Ottawa requires |

| Temporary supports | Hold weight during work |

| Beam installation | Steel or LVL beam |

| Post supports | Transfer load to foundation |

| Inspections | Rough and final |

### For Non-Load-Bearing Wall Removal

| Requirement | Details |

|-------------|---------|

| No engineer usually needed | Still good to verify |

| No permit usually | Unless electrical/plumbing involved |

| Basic demo and patching | Floor, ceiling, wall repairs |

---

## Cost Breakdown {#costs}

### Load-Bearing Wall Removal Costs (Ottawa)

| Component | Cost Range |

|-----------|-----------|

| Structural engineer | $400-1,000 |

| Building permit | $200-500 |

| Temporary shoring | $200-500 |

| Beam (LVL or steel) | $500-3,000 |

| Labour (demo + install) | $1,500-5,000 |

| Electrical/plumbing relocation | $500-2,000 |

| Drywall and finishing | $500-2,000 |

| Painting | $300-800 |

| Flooring repairs | $300-1,500 |

| **Total** | **$4,600-16,300** |

### Cost by Span Length

| Opening Width | Typical Total Cost |

|---------------|-------------------|

| 6-8 feet | $3,500-6,000 |

| 10-12 feet | $5,000-9,000 |

| 14-16 feet | $7,000-12,000 |

| 18+ feet | $10,000-18,000+ |

Longer spans = larger beams = higher cost

### Non-Load-Bearing Wall Removal

| Component | Cost Range |

|-----------|-----------|

| Demo and debris removal | $300-800 |

| Electrical relocation | $200-800 |

| Floor patching | $200-800 |

| Ceiling patching | $200-600 |

| Drywall finishing | $300-800 |

| Painting | $200-500 |

| **Total** | **$1,400-4,300** |

---

## The Process {#process}

### Step 1: Assessment (1-2 weeks)

1. Contractor initial assessment

2. Structural engineer evaluation

3. Engineering drawings prepared

4. Permit application submitted

### Step 2: Preparation (1 day)

1. Protect floors and adjacent areas

2. Locate utilities in wall

3. Disconnect/relocate electrical, plumbing, HVAC

4. Set up temporary supports

### Step 3: Temporary Shoring (Half day)

Critical step - must be done properly:

1. Install temporary posts on both sides of wall

2. Install temporary beam above

3. Verify load is transferred

4. Now safe to remove wall

### Step 4: Wall Removal (1 day)

1. Remove drywall

2. Remove studs

3. Remove top and bottom plates

4. Clean work area

### Step 5: Beam Installation (1-2 days)

1. Install permanent posts

2. Lift beam into place

3. Secure beam to posts

4. Connect to floor system above

5. Inspection of rough work

### Step 6: Finishing (2-3 days)

1. Frame around beam if concealing

2. Patch ceiling and adjacent walls

3. Repair flooring

4. Drywall and tape

5. Paint

### Total Timeline: 1-2 weeks

Plus 2-4 weeks for engineering and permits beforehand.

---

## Beam Options {#beams}

### LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber)

Most common choice for residential.

| Pros | Cons |

|------|------|

| Cost-effective | Can be bulky for long spans |

| Easy to work with | Must stay dry |

| Can be stained/painted | Less strong than steel |

| Common sizes available | May need multiple plies |

**Typical sizes:** 1.75" x 9.5" to 1.75" x 18"

**Can be doubled or tripled for longer spans**

### Steel I-Beam

Best for long spans or tight spaces.

| Pros | Cons |

|------|------|

| Strongest option | More expensive |

| Compact for strength | Requires welding/bolting |

| Allows longest spans | Harder to conceal |

| Won't burn | Can rust if exposed |

**Typical sizes:** W6 to W12 for residential

### Glulam Beams

Engineered wood alternative.

| Pros | Cons |

|------|------|

| Can be exposed (looks nice) | More expensive than LVL |

| Very strong | Heavy |

| Large sizes available | Lead time for ordering |

### Flush vs Drop Beam

**Flush beam:** Hidden within floor/ceiling depth

- Cleaner look

- May require joist modifications

- More complex installation

- Higher cost

**Drop beam:** Hangs below ceiling

- Simpler installation

- Lower cost

- Visible (can be boxed in)

- Reduces headroom

---

## Permits & Engineering {#permits}

### Permit Requirements

City of Ottawa requires permits for:

- Any structural modification

- Load-bearing wall removal

- Beam installation

### What You'll Need

1. **Structural engineer drawings showing:**

- Beam size and type

- Post locations and sizes

- Connection details

- Load calculations

2. **Permit application including:**

- Site plan

- Floor plans (existing and proposed)

- Structural drawings

- Engineer's stamp

### Inspection Stages

| Stage | What's Checked |

|-------|---------------|

| Rough framing | Beam installed, posts in place, connections |

| Final | Everything complete, matches drawings |

### Why This Matters

**Without proper engineering and permits:**

- Beam may be undersized (sagging, cracking)

- Insurance won't cover damage

- Major problems when selling

- Liability if failure occurs

- Could be required to undo work

---

## Common Projects

### Kitchen to Dining Room

Most popular wall removal project:

- Creates open concept living

- Improves flow for entertaining

- Typical span: 10-16 feet

- Cost: $6,000-12,000

### Kitchen to Living Room

Often combined with kitchen renovation:

- Maximum impact

- Usually longer spans

- May require steel beam

- Cost: $8,000-15,000

### Opening Up Main Floor

Removing multiple walls:

- Complex engineering

- May need multiple beams

- Consider HVAC implications

- Cost: $12,000-25,000+

### Basement Beam Replacement

Converting drop beam to flush:

- Increases headroom

- Requires proper support during work

- Often done with basement finishing

- Cost: $3,000-8,000

---

## What Can Go Wrong

### Without Proper Support

- Ceiling sag

- Floor bounce/dip above

- Cracking drywall

- Sticking doors

- Structural failure (worst case)

### Common Mistakes

1. **Assuming wall isn't load-bearing**

2. **Inadequate temporary shoring**

3. **Undersized beam**

4. **Posts not properly supported below**

5. **Skipping permits**

### How to Avoid Problems

- Always get engineering assessment

- Use experienced contractor

- Pull permits

- Don't cut corners on beam size

- Verify post foundations

---

## Questions to Ask Your Contractor

1. Have you done load-bearing wall removals before?

2. Do you work with a structural engineer?

3. Who handles the permit?

4. How will you shore the wall during removal?

5. What beam type do you recommend and why?

6. What's included in your quote?

7. How will the beam be finished?

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*Thinking about opening up your floor plan? [Contact us](/contact) for a free assessment - we handle engineering, permits, and installation.*