How much does it cost to knock down a wall?

In almost all the integral reforms that we design in Studio by Clikalia we have to remove a wall or partition. It is totally normal, especially when we want to adapt and update the distribution spaces of an old house, to the needs of a family or couple today.

Knocking down a wall is, without a doubt, one of the most common changes when renovating and is usually requested to integrate rooms, such as the kitchen and living room, or simply to gain meters and a sense of continuity. However, before you start planning the new layout or dreaming of an open kitchen, it is essential to understand how much it costs to knock down a wall and what the implications of this work are.

The price can vary significantly, influenced by a variety of factors. It's not as simple as just picking up a sledgehammer and starting to break. You have to take into account safety, necessary permits and subsequent work.

First of all: Is it a load-bearing wall or a simple partition wall?

This is the most important question before you consider knocking down a wall. The difference is crucial, both for the safety of your home and for the cost and permits.

• Load-bearing walls: These are a fundamental part of the building structure. They support the weight of upper floors or the roof and are generally untouchable, since modifying them could cause serious structural damage or even collapse.
• Partition walls: Their only function is to separate spaces or rooms. They do not support structural weight and are much easier and safer to remove, although always with caution.

How can you tell if your wall is load-bearing?

To know if a wall in your house is load-bearing or not, it is mandatory to review the plans of the house and always consult with a professional architect or renovation studio. In Studio by Clikalia we do not recommend to be guided only by the classic touch of knuckles on the wall to know if a wall is a load-bearing wall or not. Keep in mind that altering a load-bearing wall can put your safety and that of your neighbors at risk, in addition to the corresponding fines and penalties. Still, here are some clues that reveal whether a wall is load-bearing:

• Thickness: Load-bearing walls are usually thicker than partitions, especially in older buildings. In modern dwellings, where plasterboard is often used for partitions, partition walls are very thin.
• Foundation support: Load-bearing walls are usually "born" directly from the building foundation. Exterior walls, for example, are usually load-bearing walls.
• Repetition in floors: If the same wall appears in exactly the same position and with the same thickness in all floors of a building, it is very likely to be load-bearing.
• Beam support: If you see beams (from the roof or floor structure) resting directly on that wall, it is a clear indication that it is a load-bearing wall.

Modifying a load-bearing wall is not impossible, but it requires a very detailed technical project carried out by qualified professionals. It often involves replacing the wall with another supporting element, such as a steel or timber beam with columns, something that only an expert can calculate and design correctly.

Estimate of how much it costs to knock down a wall

As we have already mentioned, the cost can vary greatly. However, to give you a general idea, the price to knock down a partition wall (not a load-bearing wall) usually ranges from €60 to €800 in total, depending on the size and complexity.

If we calculate it per square meter, which is a common way of budgeting this work, the price is generally between 10 and 15 euros per square meter*. But as we always remember in our blog articles, these prices are very general approximations, in no case are binding. The final price in an integral reform quote depends on many factors: materials, location, labor, etc.

Factors influencing the price of wall removal

Several elements can cause the cost to go up or down. Considering these factors will give you a more accurate idea of how much it costs to knock down a wall in your particular case.

• Type of wall material: As we saw before, the material directly affects the difficulty and time of demolition. Concrete or solid brick are more resistant and therefore more expensive to remove than hollow brick or Pladur. Glass partitions require special handling because of their fragility, which can increase the cost.
• Accessibility and location: What floor is your house on, is there an elevator, is it easy for operators and vehicles to access the building? On high floors without elevator or in places with complicated access, transporting debris becomes more laborious and makes the work more expensive.
• Need for technical reports: If there is the slightest doubt as to whether the wall is load-bearing, or if it definitely is and you want to modify it (open a hole, for example), you will need reports and projects from architects or quantity surveyors.
• Additional work and finishing: Removing the wall is just the beginning. You will almost certainly need to repair or level the floor and surrounding walls, perhaps extend the existing flooring or lay new flooring. You may need to relocate electrical wiring, water pipes or air conditioning ducts that were running inside the wall. If you plan to put in a new partition (such as a glass partition) or install doors, these additional jobs also add to the budget.
• Debris management: You can't just throw the debris in the trash. Disposal and transportation of debris to authorized landfills or recycling points comes at a cost. This often involves renting special containers.
• Licenses and permits: Almost any reform that involves knocking down a wall requires a municipal permit. If it is a normal partition wall, a minor construction permit will probably suffice. If it is a load-bearing wall, you will need a major construction permit and, generally, an approved technical project. The cost of these licenses varies depending on the municipality, but it is usually a significant percentage of the total budget for the work.

Knocking down a wall is an excellent way to transform and improve your home, gaining in amplitude, light and functionality. However, it is a work that requires planning and, above all, making sure not to compromise the structure of the house.

For that reason, and although it may seem like a minor work, before making a decision, it is crucial that you have the help of professionals who can evaluate the type of wall, advise you on the feasibility of the work and calculate precisely how much it costs to remove a wall in your specific case. In all of our projects at Studio by Clikalia we detail the price of all the items of the integral reform and we make sure that any modification of the distribution of the house is safe.

If you want to know how much can cost a integral reform of an entire house or a more specific room, such as the kitchen, we invite you to learn more in detail our blog.

*A small note: The prices shown in this post are approximate and may not coincide with those budgeted in a Studio by Clikalia reform. Keep in mind that, when budgeting, there are many variants that can influence the final price: geographic location, qualities and materials chosen, volume of the reform, availability and price of materials at the time of the reform, etc.