Orange County
Open up aload-bearing wall.
Find out what your wall supports and get the beam, post, and foundation plans needed for permits and construction.
Service scope
What must be resolved
A wall opening changes more than the beam overhead.
- 01Floor, ceiling, roof, and wall framing around the proposed opening
- 02Loads carried by the wall and where the new supports will transfer them
- 03Beam options that fit the span, headroom, finishes, and layout
- 04Posts, connections, bearing points, and the structure below
Project deliverables
Deliverables matched to your project
We define the documents before work begins.
- A determination of the wall’s structural role from accessible or documented conditions
- A defined opening and replacement support design
- Beam, post, connection, bearing, and support-below details as required
- Permit calculations, drawings, and field-verification notes when included
A clear path forward
From layout idea to buildable opening
01 Step
Show us the change you want
Share photos, dimensions, plans, and the layout you want to achieve.
02 Step
Evaluate and design the support
We review existing framing and engineer what is needed around the opening.
03 Step
Use the design
Take the agreed structural documents into permitting, pricing, and construction.
Avoid solving only half the problem
A beam works only when its loads can reach suitable support below.
- Opening options shaped around headroom, finishes, and layout
- Clear beam, post, connection, and bearing details
- Review of affected framing and support below
- A way to address documented field conditions that differ from the plans
Client experience
What clients say
“Their quality of work and customer service is excellent.”
“They were very responsive, helped me salvage what I could from the previous firm, and provided the expertise and knowledge needed to finish the job quickly and efficiently.”
Questions
Frequently asked questions.
How do I know whether a wall is load bearing?
Framing direction offers clues, but it cannot confirm the answer by itself. A Professional Engineer reviews accessible framing, the construction supported above, how that weight reaches the foundation, and available documents. Exploratory openings may be needed when finishes conceal critical conditions.
Can every load-bearing wall be removed?
Many can be replaced with an engineered support system, but the practical options depend on span, loads, headroom, support below, utilities, and budget.
Do I need a permit?
Structural wall modifications commonly require a building permit. Requirements vary by location and project, so the local building department makes the final determination.
What if the wall was already removed?
We can evaluate the current condition and determine whether temporary measures, additional investigation, or remediation design is appropriate.
Can you work with my contractor or architect?
Yes. Early coordination helps align the architectural opening, structural solution, utilities, finishes, and construction sequence.
Who plans temporary support and construction sequencing?
The contractor is responsible for construction means, methods, temporary shoring, and site safety. The engineering work can identify design reactions or permanent support requirements needed for that planning.
