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Nov 26 2021

5 things to do before removing a wall

An open floor plan is definitely the current home design trend. But tearing down an interior wall to open up the space can be risky and should not be taken lightly.

Structural or load-bearing walls support the roof, floors and non-structural walls. They keep the house standing and, therefore, are vital. So before knocking down a wall, find out whether or not it is load-bearing.

Here are five tips to avoid disaster.

5 things to do before removing a wall

1. Determine whether the wall is structural

1. Determine whether the wall is structural

The blueprints or building plans for the house – available from your municipality if you don’t already have a copy on hand – will indicate the location of supporting beams and structural walls. There are also signs in the house that can help you identify them. For example, check in the basement to see if there’s a wall or an I-beam directly below the wall you’d like to remove. If the two parallel partitions run the entire length of the building, then your targeted wall is indeed load-bearing.

The direction of the roof trusses or the floor joists can provide another clue: If they run perpendicular to the targeted wall, the latter is definitely structural. For peace of mind, it’s highly recommended that you consult a building professional such as a structural engineer or licensed general contractor. Your house’s structural integrity and your own safety depend on it.

2. Open up the wall

Once you’ve determined the type of wall you’re dealing with, the next step is to find out what’s inside. Use a utility knife (never brute strength) to cut out an opening.

Proceed cautiously so as not to damage what you might find within, like electrical wires, water pipes, heating or vent ducts, or some other surprise or two if your house is several decades old.

If you do find something, be sure to call in a professional electrician or plumber who can safely remove or relocate anything unexpected. This will inevitably involve extra costs, but it’s necessary. A word of advice: Contact the professionals ahead of time to avoid delays.

2. Open up the wall

3. Support the load temporarily while the wall is being removed

 Support the load temporarily

Removing a structural wall requires careful planning. Before proceeding, you must absolutely install a support beam or pillar – from floor to ceiling – to bear the load while the wall is being demolished. This will prevent damage to the structural integrity of your home.

A tip: If the wall in question is used to support the roof, it’s preferable to remove it in summer rather than winter because any accumulated snow on the roof will increase the load on the temporary support beam.

4. Replace the load-bearing wall

Once the wall is demolished, you will need other means to support the weight of the level above, such as ceiling beams and pillars on either side of the new opening. Note that these replacement structures don’t all have the same strength and rigidity, so make sure the weight is properly distributed to prevent the roof or floor from sagging, either in the short or long term.

Also, the new beams and pillars must extend all the way to the basement foundation to ensure overall stability. The job of assessing load-bearing capabilities and the related construction work to be done is complex and requires professional attention. Consult a structural engineer or a licensed general contractor. For good references, contact Versa Style Design.

4. Replace the load-bearing wall

5. Factor in extra expenses

removing a wall

The project doesn’t end with the wall removal. There are still repairs necessary to make everything match throughout the house. These will include redoing or patching the floor, filling the gap left in the ceiling (for example, with a strip of gypsum board), fixing the joints, and repainting.

This work should be planned ahead of time and be included in the renovation budget, with extra allowances if you plan to have them done professionally.

You would like to adopt some of these ideas in your own space but you don’t know where to start?

Contact us to transform your home or office according to your style, your budget and your specific needs. By discussing your project we can provide you with relevant information concerning our services, the process and our design fee.

Click here to contact us.

Home Renovations

Written by Lucie Pitt · Categorized: Renovations · Tagged: rénovations, taking down a wall, walls

Jan 25 2019

A well-planned home renovation

Kitchen renovation pantry
Have you been thinking of renovating but felt a little daunted by the process, and don’t really know where to start? Your home has a direct impact on your quality of life, so home improvement is not to be taken lightly or even neglected. On the contrary, proper planning will save you time and money in the long run. I cannot repeat too often to my clients: Renovating a house or condo with a happy ending requires careful planning right down to the smallest detail.
 

The home improvement projects most in demand by my clients are:

  1. Kitchen renovations
  2. Bathroom renovations
  3. Basement renovations

I suppose it must be because they are such central spaces to family life,
and are high traffic as well.

Renovating the shower and bathroom
 

Kitchen, bathroom and basement renovations are a smart investment

 
basement storage renovations
Good News! Kitchen, bathroom and basement renovations are what give home owners the highest return on their investment. If these spaces are properly done, you can get back as much as 75% – 100% on your money, if not more.
Real estate agents agree that a seller should concentrate on these three rooms to sell their homes. So even if you intend on living there for many more years, you know that the eventual market value will be considerably higher than it is now!
 

The 3 phases structuring a home renovation project

Phase 1: Dream

 
Because we all forget the daily irritations triggered by our dysfunctional spaces , and because we don’t recall all the nifty items we come across or read about, you should keep a running list of ideas and photos in a file, for months if need be! Sometimes it is easier to write down what is NOT working in our space before we can put a great wish list together.
renovating the bathroom
 
kitchen and cabinet renovations
You should surf the net and visit suppliers in order to familiarize yourself with new products and materials newly released on the market to make life easier, and more stylish! Purchase decoration magazines and visit inspirational websites such as Houzz and Pinterest and keep the photos that have elements that catch your sense of style or practicality. A picture is worth a thousand words.
 

Phase 2: Recruit and plan

Get help from an Interior designer

 

Interior designers are specialists in planning great interiors. They also provide technical plans, and supervise renovations but they have the added bonus of being creators of environments, personalizing spaces from a functional and practical point of view .

With the help of your designer, establish your priorities as well as short, medium and long term goals with a logical sequence to avoid back-tracking and undoing previously done work. This professional can also help you when comparing various price quotes and ensure the entrepreneur is conforming his work to the plans!

floor plan for renovations
 

Choosing the right trades-people

 
renovations and workers
Always get the name from a satisfied client, designer or architect for the right person for YOUR project. Every trade and professional has their strong points and specialties, so make sure the match is right. I always get a good grasp of a client’s plans before knowing which entrepreneur or contractor would be perfect for the scope and type of home improvement project.
 
They should be established for several years, and possess all the proper permits, insurances and industry requirements, as well as having worked on the same type of project as yours. They should provide a clear and prompt price quote, references, and a proper contract. Don’t forget to get your plans approved by your municipality before progressing. The municipal codes and regulations vary from one municipality to the next.
kitchen renovations, cabinet renovations
 
 

The right timing

 
bathroom renovations
If you are able, try to schedule these people well enough in advance (with a contract and deposit), or plan your home renovation project during a quieter time of year. The busiest times of year in the home improvement industry are spring and autumn.

During the hottest summer weeks they take their vacations, however, it is often too quiet in this sector of activity in the colder winter months after the holidays. From January through March these trades are often looking for work, so it’s a good time to book them and perhaps negotiate a better price. They want to work, they are passionate and they are excellent!

 

Phase 3: Action

Ordering

 
With your designer and entrepreneur, consider the waiting times for each order to avoid unnecessary delays, and coordinate this aspect carefully. For instance, the floor covering must be delivered and installed before the kitchen cabinets or that new bathroom vanity.

decor ideas and ordering
 

To conclude

 
We can clearly see all the benefits to a well-planned home renovation project. Apart from the aesthetic side, renovating even just a room will introduce greater comfort, a higher level of security, a practical and functional living space, and generally improve every family member’s quality of life.
 
Statistics have demonstrated that certain home improvement projects increase the market value of the property.
Now all that remains is for you to dream of your new living or work space!

Kitchen Renovations
Basement Renovations
Bathroom Renovations

You would like to adopt some of these ideas in your own space
but you don’t know where to start?

Contact us to transform your home or office according to your style, your budget and your specific needs. By discussing your project we can provide you with relevant information concerning our services, the process and our design fee.

Click here and we will respond within 24 hours.

Written by Lucie Pitt · Categorized: Renovations · Tagged: home renovations, interior design, interior renovations, renovating

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Lucie Pitt

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