Load-Bearing Wall Analysis by a Licensed Structural Engineer

Removing a load-bearing wall without proper engineering analysis is one of the most common causes of serious structural damage in residential renovations. Raymond Gessner, PE provides independent load-bearing wall analysis and PE-stamped engineering reports that give you and your contractor a clear, reliable basis for the work ahead.

What's Involved

Identifying Load-Bearing Walls

Not every wall that looks structural is, and not every wall that looks non-structural is okay to remove for the stability of the home. We analyze framing layout, load paths, and structural context to make an accurate determination, something visual inspection alone cannot reliably provide.

Load Path Analysis

When a load-bearing wall is removed, the load it was carrying has to go somewhere. We calculate what that load is, where it transfers, and what structural system, beam, post, or column, is required to carry it properly.

PE-Stamped Report

Our analysis is documented in a PE-stamped engineering report that details our findings, load path conclusions, and beam and connection specifications, giving your contractor and building department everything they need to move forward.

Beam & Header Sizing

We specify the correct beam dimensions, material, and connection details required to replace the wall’s structural function, giving your contractor the engineering they need to do the job correctly and in compliance with code.

Why This Matters

There have been well-documented cases of homeowners removing what they believed to be non-structural walls, only to experience floor sagging, roof settlement, and wall cracking in the months that followed. The damage often appears gradually, making the root cause harder to identify and more expensive to correct after the fact.

When Mr. Ray Gessner analyzes a load-bearing wall and writes a report, that report is not just a permit formality. It is a detailed report that defines exactly what needs to happen structurally for the renovation to perform as intended over the long term.

FAQs

How do I know if a wall is load-bearing?
Some signs of load-bearing walls are those that run perpendicular to the joists, those that have another wall right above or below them, those in the middle of the building, and those that have beams/posts visible in the basement/attic above/below them. Yet even when one considers all these signs together, it is still not enough to determine load-bearing walls with certainty.
In most places, it is required. Demolishing a load-bearing wall involves getting a construction permit, and obtaining one necessitates that you provide an engineering drawing signed by a Professional Engineer. Moreover, not performing the engineering will pose structural hazards.
Without proper load path analysis and beam sizing, removing a load-bearing wall can cause floor sagging, roof settlement, wall cracking, and in more serious cases, partial structural collapse. Because the consequences often appear gradually rather than immediately, the root cause can be difficult and expensive to diagnose and correct after the fact.
Yes. Our PE-stamped engineering report includes the findings, load calculations, and specifications required by most building departments for structural permit applications. Requirements vary by jurisdiction; contact us, and we can advise on what your specific project needs.
Yes. Load-bearing wall calculation is just as essential in commercial remodels as in tenant improvements. The engineering process is identical; only the code and documentation vary depending on the type of structure and use.
The on-site assessment typically takes one to two hours, and reports are generally delivered within a few business days. Planning a Wall Removal? Start With the Engineering. Call us now!

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