How do I know if a wall is load-bearing?

Load-bearing walls typically run perpendicular to floor joists and are often located in the centre of the building. Brick walls over 215mm thick are usually load-bearing. Key indicators include: the wall continues through multiple storeys, joists rest on or span towards it, and removing it would leave unsupported spans. A structural engineer should always confirm before removal — never assume a wall is non-load-bearing.

What is a needle and prop system?

Needles are temporary steel beams (typically 150mm × 150mm timber or steel) inserted through holes cut in the wall above the removal area. Acrow props support each end of the needles, transferring the load above to the floor below while the wall is removed and the permanent RSJ installed. Needles are typically spaced at 1.2-1.5m centres along the opening.

Do I need Building Regulations approval for wall removal?

Yes, removing a load-bearing wall is notifiable building work under the Building Regulations 2010 (England & Wales). You need either a Building Notice or Full Plans application to your local Building Control body. A structural engineer's design for the replacement beam is required. Non-load-bearing stud wall removal does not typically need approval but should still be confirmed.

What are padstones and why do I need them?

Padstones are concrete or engineering brick bearing pads placed at each end of the RSJ where it sits on the remaining wall. They spread the concentrated beam load over a wider area of masonry to prevent crushing. Typical padstone sizes are 225mm × 225mm × 150mm deep in concrete, or 3 courses of Class A engineering bricks. The size depends on the beam reaction and the strength of the supporting masonry.

How much does wall removal cost in the UK?

A typical internal load-bearing wall removal with RSJ costs £1,200-£2,500 for a standard domestic opening (2-4m span). This includes temporary propping, demolition, RSJ supply and installation, padstones, plastering, and waste disposal. Larger spans, party walls, or structural walls supporting multiple floors will cost significantly more.

TradeCalculator.co.uk

Wall Removal Calculator

Calculate wall area, temporary support requirements (needles and props), RSJ sizing for the span, padstones, and making-good quantities for UK wall removal projects.

Wall Length

Total length of wall to remove

Wall Height

Floor to ceiling height

Wall TypeConstruction type and thickness

Load-Bearing Wall

Load-bearing walls require RSJ support

Opening Width

Leave blank if removing entire wall

How We Calculate This

This calculator estimates the materials, temporary supports, and waste quantities for internal wall removal. It covers both load-bearing walls (requiring RSJ support) and non-load-bearing partition walls.

Calculation method

Wall volume: Length × height × thickness. One-brick walls (215mm) are the most common load-bearing internal walls in UK houses.

RSJ sizing: Indicative beam sizes are based on typical domestic floor loads (1.5 kN/m² imposed + dead loads) per BS EN 1991. The actual size must be confirmed by a structural engineer based on specific loading conditions.

Temporary support: Needles at 1.2-1.5m centres with Acrow props at each end. The number of prop pairs depends on needle count and load distribution.

Padstones: Two padstones required (one at each RSJ bearing point). Sized to spread the beam reaction over sufficient masonry area.