ABOUT OUR COMPANY
Professional Load-Bearing Wall Removals
Load-bearing wall demolition plays a critical role in major renovations where structural changes are needed. These bearing walls are structures that supports the weight of the floors, roof, or walls above it. Unlike non-load-bearing walls, which can be removed without impacting the integrity of the building, taking out a bearing wall affects the overall structure, which is why it must be done correctly.
Removing them safely requires experience, planning, and the right permits, which is why we specialize in them. At ALMAR Demolition, we specialize in engineered structural wall removal. The process involves detailed assessments, coordination with structural engineers, and proper permitting to make sure your property is safe during and after the removal.
- WSIB registered
- Over 20 years of industry experience
- We make sure everything is done properly, from site assessment to post-job clean-up
How a Load-Bearing Wall Removal Runs
- Confirm it is actually load-bearing. Plenty of walls people worry about are not, and plenty of walls people assume are fine are. Direction of the joists above, what sits over it upstairs, and whether it lines up with a beam in the basement all tell the story.
- Get the engineering done. A load-bearing wall removal needs a design: the beam size, how the load transfers down to the footing, and what the posts land on. That comes from an engineer, before anyone books a crew.
- Permit and drawings in place. Structural changes are permit work in Ontario. Your municipality issues it and it needs the engineer’s drawings with it.
- Shore the load. Temporary shoring takes the weight on both sides of the wall before a single stud is cut. This is the step that is never skipped.
- Open the wall. Finishes, services and framing come out in a controlled sequence, with anything live isolated by the right trade first.
- Beam in, shoring out. The new beam and posts go in, the load transfers onto them, and only then does the temporary shoring come down.
What Makes This Different From Ordinary Interior Demolition
This is the one interior job where the demolition is the smallest part of the work. Things that decide the scope:
- An engineer’s design, which is not optional and drives everything else
- Beam type and span, which changes the price more than the demolition itself does
- Where the load ends up, because posts need a footing under them and that can mean opening the basement floor
- Services in the wall: ducts, plumbing stacks and electrical usually have to be rerouted by other trades
- Head height, since a dropped beam changes the ceiling line and sometimes the design
- Whether the house is occupied, which sets how the space is sealed and protected
More Demolition Services
ALMAR handles the whole range across Toronto, the GTA and Southern Ontario. A few that often go with this one:
- Interior demolition
- Kitchen removal and demolition
- Bathroom demolition
- Basement demolition
- Floor removal and demolition
See the full list on our demolition services page, or check the areas we serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a wall is load-bearing?
Look at which way the joists above run, whether the wall lines up with a beam or post below, and whether anything heavy sits over it. Those are good indicators, not proof. The only reliable answer comes from an engineer or a qualified designer, and on a wall this matters, that is the answer to get.
Do I need a permit to remove a load-bearing wall?
Yes, structural changes are permit work. Your local municipal building department issues it and will want the engineer’s drawings. ALMAR does not apply for permits as part of the service, though we can assist for an additional fee.
Can you supply the beam as well?
The beam is specified by the engineer and installed as part of the structural work. Tell us at quote stage whether you want us handling the demolition only or coordinating the opening with your builder, because the two price differently.
How long does it take?
The demolition itself is usually quick. The engineering, the permit and the beam supply are what set the timeline, and those normally run in weeks rather than days. Start them early.
We Remove Structural Walls Throughout Southern Ontario