The short answer
When you remove a load-bearing wall, the structural engineer designs the beam and supports that take over the load and produces signed calculations for Building Control. The engineer's design fee alone is typically £300–£700, covering beam sizing, bearing and padstone checks, load assessment and a Building Control-ready calculation pack. That's separate from the rest of the job: the whole wall removal usually costs £1,800–£7,500 once you add the builder, the steel beam (often £300–£600 per metre supplied and fitted) and Building Control fees. You don't normally need planning permission for an internal wall, but you do need Building Regulations approval — which is why the engineer's calculations are required.
It helps to separate the engineer's fee from the whole job. The engineer designs and signs off the structure; the builder does the physical work. Here's how the pieces fit together.
Typical UK costs
- Engineer's design fee£300–£700
- Whole wall removal£1,800–£7,500
- Steel beam supplied & fitted~£300–£600 / m
- Calculations turnaround~1–3 working days
- PermissionBuilding Regs, not planning
What the engineer actually does
- Assesses the load: works out what the wall is carrying — floors, roof, walls above.
- Sizes the beam: specifies the RSJ or steel beam to span the new opening safely.
- Checks the bearings: designs the padstones and supports at each end so the beam can transfer load into the walls.
- Produces signed calculations: a Building Control-ready pack that the build is checked against.
| Item | Typical figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Engineer's design fee | £300–£700 | calculations only |
| Steel beam supplied & fitted | ~£300–£600 / m | varies by size & span |
| Whole wall removal | £1,800–£7,500 | incl. builder & making good |
| Calculations turnaround | ~1–3 working days | for a standard domestic wall |
Indicative UK figures for guidance. Sources: Checkatrade and MyJobQuote cost guides.
Building Control and timescales
Internal wall removal doesn't usually need planning permission, but it does need Building Regulations approval — Building Control checks the beam design, padstones, bearing length, fire safety and the finished workmanship. The engineer's calculations are often turned around in about 1–3 working days for a standard domestic wall, though the whole project, including approvals and the building work, commonly runs over several weeks. Keeping the signed calculations and the completion certificate is what protects you when you later sell.
Planning to remove a load-bearing wall?
We'll match you with a vetted chartered structural engineer who designs the beam, produces signed calculations, and sets out exactly what Building Control will need.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a structural engineer charge to remove a load-bearing wall?
The engineer's design fee alone is typically £300–£700, covering beam sizing, bearing and padstone checks and signed calculations. That's separate from the whole job, which usually costs £1,800–£7,500 once you add the builder, the steel beam and Building Control.
Do I need planning permission to remove an internal load-bearing wall?
Usually not — internal wall removal is normally permitted development. But you do need Building Regulations approval, which is why signed structural calculations from an engineer are required.
How long do the structural calculations take?
For a standard domestic wall, calculations are often turned around in about 1–3 working days. The whole project, including approvals and the building work, commonly takes several weeks end to end.
Sources & further reading
- Checkatrade — cost to remove a load-bearing wall
- MyJobQuote — removing a load-bearing wall cost guide
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific project. They are guidance, not a quotation.