Open Concept Remodeling in Sylvania, OH

Most walls that run perpendicular to the floor joists are load-bearing, especially if they're positioned near the center of the house. Walls directly below another wall on the second floor are almost always carrying weight. In Sylvania homes built in the 1960s-1980s, the center wall dividing the main living spaces is typically structural.

That said, the only way to know for certain is to have someone look at the framing in the attic or basement. We do this during our initial assessment, and if there's any doubt, we bring in a structural engineer to verify before we start work.

It depends on the span and the load. For openings up to about 12-14 feet, a laminated veneer lumber (LVL) beam usually works well. For wider spans or heavier loads, steel I-beams are often required. The engineer makes this determination based on the calculations—it's not a guessing game.

LVL beams are easier to work with and can be finished to look like regular framing. Steel beams are stronger but require more labor to install and sometimes need to be boxed in for aesthetic reasons.

In most cases, yes. Load-bearing walls often contain electrical wiring, outlets, light switches, and sometimes HVAC ducts or cold air returns. These all need to be relocated before the wall comes down.

We coordinate with licensed electricians and HVAC technicians to handle these modifications. It's part of the overall scope, and we make sure everything is brought up to current code during the process.

Yes. Any structural modification that involves removing a load-bearing wall requires a building permit in Sylvania. The permit process ensures that the work is reviewed by a building inspector and that it meets local code requirements.

We handle the permit application and coordinate with the inspector for the required inspections. Skipping the permit process can cause serious problems if you ever try to sell your home—buyers' inspectors will flag unpermitted structural work, and it can kill a deal.

For a straightforward load-bearing wall removal with beam installation, the actual structural work typically takes 3-5 days. This includes installing temporary supports, removing the old wall, setting the beam, and finishing the framing.

If electrical or HVAC work is involved, add another day or two for those trades to complete their modifications. The total timeline also depends on permit approval and inspector availability, but we keep the project moving as efficiently as possible.

It depends on the scope of the project. If the wall removal involves your kitchen, you'll have limited access to that space while we're working—especially during the demo and beam installation phases. We try to minimize disruption, but there will be dust and noise.

Most clients set up a temporary kitchen in another room (microwave, coffee maker, etc.) for a few days. We cover doorways with plastic sheeting to contain dust and clean up at the end of each day.

It's not uncommon to find surprises—old plumbing lines that were capped off, extra wiring that wasn't documented, or framing that's not standard. When this happens, we stop, assess the situation, and discuss the solution with you before proceeding.

Transparency is critical. If something changes the scope or cost, you'll know about it immediately. We don't hide problems or try to work around them improperly.

Legally, no. In Ohio, structural modifications must be performed by a licensed contractor and inspected by the local building department. Beyond the legal requirement, removing a load-bearing wall without proper support and beam installation is genuinely dangerous.

DIY structural failures can result in collapsed ceilings, cracked foundations, and repair costs that far exceed what professional installation would have cost. It's not worth the risk—to your home or your family's safety.