Planning an open-floor renovation? Removing a load bearing wall requires proper engineering. NEC Solutions LLC provides beam design, structural calculations, and PE-stamped drawings for load bearing wall removal in Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, and Texas — with a 5–7 business day turnaround.
Removing a load bearing wall is one of the most common home renovation projects in Pennsylvania and the surrounding region — and one of the most frequently done incorrectly. When you remove a wall that carries structural load, that load has to go somewhere. If you don't design the replacement beam and support posts correctly, the results range from annoying (sagging floors, sticking doors) to dangerous (structural failure).
At NEC Solutions LLC, we handle the complete structural engineering for load bearing wall removal projects. We assess the existing structure, calculate the loads being carried, design the replacement beam and posts, specify the required hardware and connections, and deliver PE-stamped drawings that your contractor can build from and your building department will approve.
We work with homeowners, contractors, and architects across Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, and Texas on wall removal projects ranging from a single kitchen wall to full first-floor open-plan conversions. Most projects are delivered within 5–7 business days — and many don't require a site visit.
Free quote within 24 hours. No commitment required.
Get a Wall Removal Quote →Before any work starts, you need to know what you're dealing with. Here are the signs that a wall is — or isn't — load bearing. Keep in mind: only a licensed structural engineer can make a definitive determination.
Signs It IS Load Bearing
Signs It May NOT Be Load Bearing
Visual inspection — even by an experienced contractor — is not a reliable way to confirm whether a wall is load bearing. The only way to know for certain is to have a licensed structural engineer evaluate the structure. Our PE engineers can review your project remotely (photos + plans) and give you a clear answer before any work starts.
Get an engineering assessmentWe evaluate the existing structure — framing type, floor system, ceiling heights, load path above and below the wall — to fully understand what loads the wall is carrying before designing the replacement.
We calculate the dead loads, live loads, and any snow loads transferring through the wall — at every floor level involved. These calculations determine what size beam is actually required — not a guess or rule of thumb.
We design the replacement beam — specifying material type (LVL, steel, glulam), size, and bearing requirements. The beam is engineered to safely carry the full load of the removed wall with an appropriate factor of safety.
The new beam has to land somewhere — posts and footings must be designed to carry the concentrated loads down to the foundation. We design the full load path from beam to footing so nothing is left to guesswork.
We prepare clear construction drawings showing beam size, post locations, bearing details, hardware, and footing requirements — PE-stamped and ready for your building department permit submission.
If your building department has questions or requires revisions, we address them at no extra charge. We stay with your project until the permit is issued and your contractor is ready to build.
The right beam type depends on the span, the load, the ceiling height, and the project budget. Our engineers specify the correct beam for your specific conditions.
The most common choice for residential wall removal in PA and DE. LVL beams are strong, dimensionally stable, and widely available at lumber yards. They look like thick engineered wood and are typically concealed in the ceiling or wall framing.
The go-to for longer spans and heavier loads — especially in commercial projects and multi-family buildings. Steel I-beams can span further with a shallower depth than wood, which is important when ceiling height is limited. Common in NYC and Philadelphia commercial work.
Glulam beams work well for open, exposed architectural applications — great when the beam will be visible in an open-plan living space and you want a natural wood appearance. They handle long spans and heavy loads while providing an attractive finish element.
Every year, homeowners and contractors attempt load bearing wall removal without proper engineering — sometimes using online beam calculators, sometimes just guessing. Here's what can go wrong when the engineering is skipped or done incorrectly:
Call (610) 888-9818 or submit online with your project address and what you want to remove.
We review your project and send a clear, upfront quote within 24 business hours.
Email us photos of the wall, basement framing below, and any existing floor plans you have.
We complete beam design, calculations, and PE-stamped drawings in 5–7 business days.
Submit drawings for permit, your contractor builds to the design. We support plan review at no extra cost.
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chester County, Delaware County, Bucks County & statewide.
Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, Westchester County & across New York State.
Wilmington, Newark, Dover, New Castle County & across all three DE counties.
Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth & communities statewide.
Yes — in virtually every Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, and Texas municipality, removing a load bearing wall requires a building permit and PE-stamped structural drawings. Working without a permit is illegal, can void your homeowner's insurance, and will create significant problems when you go to sell the property. The permit process exists to protect you and your home.
Yes — most load bearing wall removal projects are handled remotely. You send us photos of the wall, the framing below (basement or crawl space), and the floors above, along with any existing plans. We use this information to complete the structural analysis and beam design. A site visit is only needed when the existing framing is unusually complex or unclear from photos.
There are visual indicators — walls running perpendicular to joists, walls in the center of the house, walls with framing directly above or below — but the only reliable way to confirm is a structural engineering assessment. Send us photos and we can give you a professional opinion as part of the quote process.
Multi-story load paths are more complex to engineer but are very common — especially in two-story homes where a first-floor wall carries second-floor and roof loads. Our calculations account for all loads from every floor above, and the beam is designed to carry the total cumulative load. More complex projects may require a site visit and take slightly longer to complete.
Most load bearing wall removal projects are delivered in 5–7 business days from receipt of project information. If you have a tight timeline — a contractor ready to start, or a permit submission deadline — call us at (610) 888-9818 and we'll discuss rush options. We do our best to accommodate urgent project timelines.
Yes. Our PE engineers hold valid licenses in Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, and Texas. Our PE-stamped drawings are accepted by all building departments, municipalities, and townships in those four states — including Philadelphia L&I, NYC Department of Buildings, New Castle County, and Texas municipal building departments.
Get a free quote within 24 hours. PE-stamped drawings in 5–7 business days.
