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myRemoving A Partition Wall Cost
At a glance
- The average cost to remove a partition wall is around £1,750
- The job will take approximately 1 - 3 days to complete
- A complete pricing breakdown, which includes things to consider and what such a task usually involves
- How long the job should approximately take, and a general overview of what kind of jobs can be performed
- How to find and hire a partition wall specialist
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Want to know how much removing a partition wall costs?
This guide covers everything you need to know about the cost of removing partition walls, including identifying if it's a load-bearing wall or not, labour fees to remove a wall and much more.
On average, you're looking at an overall cost of around £1,750 to get a wall knocked down.
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£1,750
Table of Contents
How Much to Knock Down a Wall?
Internal wall removal is a popular choice for homeowners who want to make the most of their home's space without building an extension.
If there is a partition wall within your home, removing it could be a far cheaper way of increasing usable space. However, the cost to remove load-bearing walls may include structural changes, and so it might not be as economically effective.
It may be possible to remove a partition wall yourself, but we recommend hiring a professional to avoid any mistakes and safety hazards. If you remove a load-bearing partition wall without proper care, you could cause major damage.
Removing a partition wall can cost anywhere up to £1,750 for removing a large area wall, and builder’s day rates will vary from £100-£300.
I've recently discovered that the loft partition made of plasterboard is not sitting at the central point of chimney breasts (we removed ours). Do I have to restore it to the centre? Is it the neighbours responsibility and cost? What rights do I have?? Does it matter how many years it's been like that Can I just employ someone to do it?
"Contact your local planning department/building control officer. They should be able to ascertain if your neighbour had permission to erect partition or loft conversion at all"
Partition Wall Removal Prices
| Job Description | Duration | Material Cost | Labour Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remove Partition Wall of Single doorway – around 1m | 1-2 days | £1250 | £100-£250 per day depending on labourer's rate |
| Remove Partition Wall of Double doorway – around 2m | 1-2 days | £1500 | £100-£250 per day depending on labourer's rate |
| Remove Partition Wall of Large open plan – around 4m | 1-3 days | £1750 | £100-£250 per day depending on labourer's rate |
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Things to Consider When Removing a Partition Wall
There are many things to consider when removing a partition wall. You must first figure out if the wall you want to remove is a load-bearing or a non-load-bearing wall. A load-bearing wall will support the weight of other elements of the house, such as the roof or a wall above. If you remove a load-bearing wall without hiring a professional, it could end badly.
The cost of removing partition walls will be a lot cheaper than paying for an extension to create space that removing an internal wall can also create. You will have to consider the builder day rates when removing a partition wall.
It will typically take 1-3 days to remove the partition wall, depending on your requirements, it could take longer. Removing a partition wall can cost anywhere up to £1,750 for removing a large area wall, and builder day rates will vary from £100-£300.
You should hire a professional to remove your partition walls to avoid any damage to your walls.
Benefits of Removing a Partition Wall
There are several benefits you can weigh against the cost of knocking down an internal wall, such as:
- Creating an open-plan layout.
- Increasing the usability of the existing space.
- Improving natural light across a space.
- Increasing the efficiency of heating and improving airflow.
- Modernising older homes with smaller, separate rooms.
Often, wall removal will have a positive impact on your living space in multiple ways.
One of the most common reasons for internal wall removal is to create an open-plan kitchen and living area. For example, if you want a larger kitchen but can’t afford to splash out on an extension, removing a partition wall between the kitchen and another room helps to create your new big kitchen without the price tag.
Permissions and Building Regulations
You will not usually need to apply for planning permission to remove a partition wall. However, if your property is listed, you may need to get consent. If you're in any doubt, check with your local authority first.
Building regulations will apply to partition wall removal, and it is likely that an inspector will need to be consulted, potentially at several points of the removal.
In the case of partition walls, regulations cover:
- Structural Issues - If the wall is load-bearing, this will usually require extra support to be installed. A Building Control Officer will need to sign off on this to ensure the building is safe.
- Electrical Safety - Rules around electrical wiring and safety are strict, and you will usually need to hire a competent person to make any changes if you encounter wiring in your partition wall.
- Fire Safety - The removal of a partition wall should not be allowed to affect fire-protected escape routes.
- Sound Insulation - In flats or HMOs, particularly, there may be rules about the amount of soundproofing required.
- Ventilation - If removing a wall affects the airflow in a property, this may be subject to building regulations.
You will also need to know whether the partition wall contains asbestos. If it does, safe removal by a professional is required.
Your contractor will be able to advise which of the regulations are relevant to your partition wall removal.
Doing it Yourself
It may be possible to remove a partition wall yourself, but it isn't recommended that you try to do this job yourself.
The DIY risks include:
- Accidentally removing or damaging a load-bearing wall, which may damage the structure of your home.
- Affecting the party wall between your house and your neighbour's.
- Encountering hazardous materials such as asbestos.
- Damaging services such as electrics, gas or water that may be present within the wall.
- Failing to follow building regulations if you need approval for the work.
If you're worried about the cost of removing an internal wall and believe you can save money by doing it yourself, remember that fixing any issues caused by a botched removal may cost more money in the long run.
We recommend getting up to 3 quotes from professionals so you can receive the best price for removing partition walls. A professional will have years of experience in removing partition walls, giving you peace of mind that you’ll receive a high-quality service from them.
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Hiring a Partition Wall Specialist Checklist
- Removing a partition wall in your home creates the illusion of more space, as well as saving you a lot of money on having an extension.
- If you remove a partition wall that is load-bearing, you will cause major damage. A professional will have many years of experience in removing partition walls.
- You would have to work out if the wall is load-bearing or non-load-bearing to avoid causing major damage if you attempted it yourself.
- We recommend getting up to 3 quotes from professionals so you can receive the best price for removing partition walls.
- Ensure that your chosen contractor is fully insured and can provide examples of similar work.
- Removing a partition wall can cost anywhere up to £1750 for removing a large area wall, and builder day rates will vary from £100-£300.
- If your house is a listed building, you will need to apply for listed building consent to have a partition wall removed.
FAQs
How long does it take to remove a wall?
The time it takes to remove a partition wall depends on the size of the wall and the material the wall is made of. If the wall is brick, then it might take a long time to get through. On average, it will take 1-2 days to take down the wall and make it look tidy.
How do you know if a wall is load-bearing?
Looking at joists can help you work this out, with walls running perpendicular to joists more likely to be load-bearing. You can also check if a wall runs through multiple floors or if it supports a chimney stack or external upper wall. However, you should consult a professional to be sure.
What types of partition walls are there?
Several materials are commonly used for partition walls. The most common for domestic properties is timber or metal-studded plasterboard. You may also find brick or lightweight block partitions in some spaces, or glass partitions in commercial spaces.
Can you remove the wall yourself?
It isn't recommended that you remove a partition wall yourself unless you are absolutely certain that it is non-load-bearing and have the skills to check. Even then, advice from a professional is highly recommended.
