What to consider before knocking down an internal wall

Is it a load-bearing wall? 

Load-bearing walls act as support for the floor above, the roof, or another wall above or on either side. They provide structural stability to the home, which can put a spanner in the works if you want your wall knocked down.

Integral as they are, identifying a load-bearing wall can be tricky, so you’ll need a trusty contractor or structural engineer for internal wall removal. Before you make the call, keep a look out for the following wall types:

• Exterior walls: These typically make up your property’s structure and are likely to be load-bearing.
• Central walls: Walls that run from side to side or front to rear with a consistent wall line between floors are usually load-bearing.
• Walls with a wall immediately above: These run from the first floor down to the ground floor and can also support the roof.
• Walls perpendicular to floor joists: Walls that run perpendicular to floor joists (wood or steel slats) are usually load-bearing. You’d need to open the ceiling to have a proper look.

Does it have a supporting beam?

Most load-bearing walls have a support beam or rolled steel joist (RSJ) beam to distribute weight pressure. If you knock down a load-bearing wall, you’ll need to replace it with a beam of the same length, size and density.

Removing internal load-bearing walls requires Building Regulations approval. This is because fitting a new beam involves detailed property dimensions, calculations, weights and materials. Your local building control inspector will review these details before knocking any internal walls down.

Are there pipes or wires in the wall?

Some walls might contain plumbing pipes, electricity cables or gas lines that will need rerouting. When contractors knock a wall down, they will trace the electrical wiring from light switches and sockets using a cable detector.

Knocking walls down without these vital checks can lead to damaged electrical cables that are difficult and dangerous to fix. 

Will I need planning permission to knock down an internal wall?

You normally don’t need planning permission to knock down an internal wall. This is only the case if your property is listed . However, you will need approval from Building Regulations. This is mandatory regardless of the size of the project – whether you’re knocking through a wall to make a doorway or removing an internal wall completely.

To get approval, you must make an application to Building Regulations or other building control body (BCB).  Inspectors will confirm that the work complies with safety standards and issue the completion certificate, allowing you to knock the wall down.

Building consent is crucial if you’re looking to sell your home, as knocking down a wall without complete certification can void your insurance policy.

Is the wall connected to another property?

Load-bearing walls that connect to another property, also known as party walls, are normally found in terraced or semi-detached homes. Supporting beams rest in these shared walls, which could impact the neighbouring property if knocked down.

Before knocking any connecting walls down, you must get consent from your neighbour and consult a Party Wall Surveyor. They can advise you or draw up an agreement on your behalf.

Will I need to redecorate?

Once you knock down an internal wall, surfaces like the floor or ceiling on either side may need to be patched or re-plastered. Factoring redecorating into the overall cost can prevent any surprises later down the line.

Removing internal walls can sometimes result in minor cracks due to impact. In some cases, you may need to account for new plastering, laminate flooring, re-tiling or replacing floor surfaces. Always have a budget available to repair the surrounding areas. 

Will my home insurance still cover me?

If you’re having renovations done to your house, home insurance cover is likely restricted to FLEE (Fire, Lightning, Explosion and Earthquake) so you’re not covered for any resulting damage of a knocked down wall for example.

It's always best to contact your insurer before you begin any renovations work to check your cover

Sainsbury's Bank Home Insurance is arranged and administered by Sainsbury's Bank and is underwritten by a carefully selected range of insurers. When you get a quote we will tell you who the insurer is before you buy the policy.