Knocking internal load-bearing wall for doorway: what's involved/price?

[Hillsalt]

I want to remove a a section of wall between a sitting room and dining room and put in double doors. I understand that the wall is load bearing.

What's involved? I have no idea what sort of price I can expect? Anyone with a ballpark idea?

I have chosen double doors which I would buy seperately but the person doing the job would have to install.

Thanks in advance.

 

[sallins]

Obviously you need a lintel to span over the door opening. It must be sized to carry the load from above and transfer it to either side of the new opening. There is a wide variety of proprietary lintels on the market which will do the job. Suggest you contact a structural engineer or a builder with related experience who will likely contact a structural engineer to size the lintel.

 

[Concert]

We did this in out last house, didn't use any engineer, used a builder who did similar in other houses where we lived, ceiling never fell so must have been ok. Similarly last year (different house) we used the same builder to take down wall between family and kitchen/dining room and open it up. Everything ok. Dont think you need structural engineer if you get reputable builder used to doing this type of work.

 

[Hillsalt]

I got an engineer in today to investigate.

He also recommended a builder to do the job. I have 2 others lined up to price the job.

 

[Home&away]

I'd recommend getting an engineer involved. Two years ago we had a builder knock a wall and fit an RSJ over a 4-metre span. Two years later, due to a fire in the house, we found out that the RSJ hadn't been seated correctly, and was borderline on being too small for the job.

This time around we weren't prepared to take chances. The engineer cost about €800 and €2200 for the builder to remove the old RSJ and fit a new bigger beam. The difference in the two jobs is substantial. And we now have a certified alteration, and the confidence that it hasn't comprimised the house.