The most popular kitchen renovations today involve creating an open-plan living and dining space. While knocking down a wall might seem straightforward, it can involve a major structural risk. Unlike a standard refit, removing a kitchen wall isn’t just labour; it includes professional assessment, compliance, and certification.
Finding the right professional is the first critical step, and that’s where Rated People provides unparalleled confidence. Our platform connects you with verified, high-calibre kitchen fitters in your local area who are reviewed by real homeowners. By hiring a trusted professional through us, you ensure your project prioritises expertise, quality, and your long-term peace of mind.
A responsible kitchen fitter will know their limits and will flag the need for a structural engineer and building control before the sledgehammer comes out. Here is when and why these experts must be involved.
The fundamental question: Load-bearing vs. non-load-bearing
The primary reason to call a structural engineer is to determine if a wall is load bearing. A load-bearing wall supports the structure above it (e.g., floor joists, roof trusses). Removing it without installing adequate support will cause severe structural damage.
How to spot the difference:
| Wall Type | What it Does | Action Required |
| Load bearing | Runs perpendicular to the ceiling joists, or supports a wall above it. | Requires a Structural Engineer for calculations and design of a replacement support (RSJ/Steel Beam). |
| Non-load-bearing | Runs parallel to the ceiling joists, acting only as a partition. | Fitter/Builder can usually remove it, but check for plumbing or electrical services within. |
Your fitter must defer to an engineer if your plans involve any of the following:
- Removing or moving a wall in a two-storey or higher property.
- Modifying external walls for new doors, large bi-fold windows, or part of a kitchen extension.
- Any work on a chimney breast or its supporting stack.
The process: Getting a steel beam installed and certified
If the answer to “is my kitchen wall load bearing” is yes, your project moves from a simple kitchen refit to a building project.
- Structural engineer: They visit the property, perform calculations, and design the necessary support (the size and type of steel beam needed). This blueprint is critical for the Building Control application.
- Building control: Your local authority’s building control team must approve the plans in advance. They will inspect the work when the hole is first made and again after the steel beam installation is complete and the beam is in place, ensuring compliance with building regulations.
- The fitter/builder: The professional team handles the safe demolition, installation of the beam, and critical fire-stopping elements (known as encasing the beam).
The legal and financial imperatives
While the extra fees for an engineer and building control add to your removing kitchen wall cost, they are non-negotiable insurance for your property:
- Safety & insurance: They guarantee your house is structurally sound. Your home insurance policy will be invalid if uncertified structural work leads to a later failure.
- Property saleability: When you sell your home, the buyer’s solicitor will demand a Building Control Completion Certificate for any structural work. Without this, your property’s value is drastically reduced, and you may face issues obtaining a mortgage.
- The party wall act: If the wall you are removing is shared with a neighbour (e.g., in a terraced house), the Party Wall Act may apply. Your fitter should flag this, as it requires you to serve notice to your neighbour, potentially incurring surveyor fees—another crucial cost to budget for.
When working with a professional fitter, listen to their advice regarding structural integrity—it demonstrates they are competent and prioritising the safety and legality of your home.
With Rated People, you have the power to get it done. Find a trusted, local tradesperson today.
