Open-plan living is all the rage these days. So if you resolve to open up the space in your home this year, knocking down a wall is your quickest way to achieve this.
But, tread carefully! There is much to consider before you grab a sledgehammer and reciprocating saw and start tearing down a wall.
Check out the rest of this blog on what to keep in mind when knocking down walls in your home. If you are looking for guaranteed ways to make your online presence more effective check out Socialgreg and their wide range of services.
6 Important Considerations When Tearing Down a Wall
What is the point of tearing down a wall in your home?
To some homeowners, it may sound like too much hard work.
But for others, it’s a great way to extend a narrow room, connect two rooms, or adapt a floor design.
This being said, tearing down a wall takes plenty of planning and, in some cases, the advice and expertise of a professional.
Especially if the wall is load-bearing- check out this article for more on that!
So, let’s get down to it, here’s what to consider before you begin your DIY destruction project:
- What Type of Wall Is It?
There are two distinct types of walls in your home. One serves to separate one room from the next.
The other is a little more important and holds the roof above your head aloft – also known as a load-bearing wall.
Typically, a load-bearing wall is closer to the middle of your home and should not normally be torn down.
However, there are a few alternatives like support beams and wider doorways you could consider to replace this support.
This type of wall destruction project should always be handled by a professional as they will be able to gauge a suitable support substitute.
- Is There Anything Inside the Wall?
While the walls in your home look like blank walls, they could actually be cavity or vessel for a number of systems running throughout your home.
Some of the most common items to consider including electrical wiring, piping, HVAC vents and wiring, and other various cables.
If this is the case, you’ll need to put your project on hold until you’ve hired the help of an electrician or plumber to reroute any of these systems.
- Matching Up Your Flooring
When a wall is torn down, it generally leaves behind a blank space beneath it and above it, at the point it meets your floor and ceiling.
So, how will you match these blank areas to the rest of your home?
What’s important to consider is the type of flooring on either side of the wall and how you can patch up this blank area to make it look seamless.
Typically, hardwood flooring is more difficult to match between rooms.However, matching up carpet flooring is easier.
Keep in mind that you may need to replace all the flooring in order to seamlessly match everything, so you’ll need to factor this into your budget.
- It’s a Messy Job
An important thing to bear in mind when tearing down a wall in your home is how messy this job really is.
You could be faced with weeks of dust and debris throughout your home and may even need to move out during this time.
To add to this, how will you dispose of the debris? You will need to hire a waste bin to collect this debris and keep your home clean throughout the duration of the project.
In short, it’s not a pretty or clean job. If you aren’t up to getting dirty or suffer from severe allergies, this job is best left to the professionals.
- The Timing of the Project
Is there ever a good time to do major renovations on your home?
If you keep putting it off, you will most likely never get it done.
But the key is to time your wall destruction with another project you may be running concurrently.
Ideally, you should consider replacing your flooring during the same time the wall is being torn down.
It allows the whole project to run seamlessly, while all the mess and dust is confined to this one time period, rather than being divided between two.
- Your Budget
And finally, one of the most important factors to consider before you take to the wall with a sledgehammer is your budget for the project.
The cost of the project depends on the size of the wall and the space on either side of it.
It also depends on the systems inside the wall and the cost of re-routing them.
You’ll also need to factor in your flooring and whether you can patch up the blank space or need to replace your floors entirely.
Typically, cost estimates run from $2,000-$3,000 for a non-load-bearing wall in a one or two-story home.
This includes the cost of a laborer, the hire of a waste bin and other specialists needed in removing the wall.
However, if your wall is load-bearing, costs could increase considerably.
You should budget for approximately $3,500-$5,000 to remove a load-bearing wall.
This includes the expertise of an experienced contractor, adding additional load beam support, patching the floor, etc.
Just keep in mind that whatever your budget may be, it’s wise to add on 20% over and above that for unforeseen issues that may present themselves!
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