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Submit plansI recently had a double storey rear extension completed - both first fix and second fix. After moving in I realised that the space around the open living area is not as per my expectations and want to demolish one of the structural internal walls to help add some open space. This is a old external wall ( which has become internal wall after the rear extension ) - about 250mm thick and I want to demolish about 1.5m of this wall. Is it even possible to perform such structural alterations, potentially by adding a steel beam, after all the major build work is complete?
Hi Deepak,
Making alterations like this is quite common and, with the right approach, shouldn’t be a problem. The key is to follow the correct process and ensure everything is done safely.
The first and most important step is to appoint a structural engineer. They’ll take a look at what you’re planning to do and provide a design that shows how the work should be completed. This typically involves a site investigation and some calculations to ensure the structure remains sound, the right size lintel is used and that there aren’t any unexpected surprises once the work is complete.
Once the structural engineer gives you the green light, you’ll also need to plan to deal any existing services such as pipes and cables and making good to finishings. Ideally, there won’t be anything in the way, but if there is, they’ll need to be altered so the structural work can proceed safely.
When it comes to making good, it’s usually straightforward, but there’s one thing to keep in mind: floor levels. If you’re forming a new opening between rooms, it’s not uncommon to discover that the floors in each room are at slightly different heights which will need to be levelled to provide a seamless finish.
Hope this helps!
Mark Stevenson (Project Management expert)