Structural engineer recommendation please (how much, refrigerator, purchase) - New Jersey (NJ) - City-Data Forum

betigers · 01-05-2010, 01:15 PM

We want to take down a wall separating our kitchen from the family room. It is a load bearing wall as per our assessment and that of a couple of general contractors who came out for evaluation. If we take it down, we will have to support it with headers etc.
I am looking for recommendations for structural engineer who could provide drawings and calculations regarding what size header to put in for support and consult about other issues that we may have not thought of.
Before picking up someone from the yellow pages, I wanted to post this on the forum to request recommendations.

Anyone have experience with this? How much should we expect to pay?

Thanks!

NatasNJ · 01-05-2010, 01:42 PM

Where are you?

bay · 01-05-2010, 01:46 PM

we just done it in our new purchase home. the total opening is 24 ft, but we have a 2*6 supported in the middle. we used microlam beam. You can go to lumber yard that sells micro beam and they will have software to help you calculate the load and size. we submitted the document provided by lumber yard to the township and got the permit. we do not need an engineer to sign off on the plan (we did the drawing and plan by ourselves). It's been done by our contractor in 3 days. It looks very nice.
The beam itself costs around $600 and labor cost is $3000.

armx · 01-05-2010, 02:16 PM

OP:

Is there any room or exterior wall above the wall you would like to replace with the new beam? Before you follow "bay"s advice you better make sure that potential settlement does not cause more problems upstairs (if there is one)

Sergio M · 01-05-2010, 02:31 PM

How big of an opening? Will it be a flush header or dropped. A flush header looks nicer, but may be a lot more work.

betigers · 01-05-2010, 04:16 PM

The kitchen is on the first floor and we have a basement below. There are bedrooms upstairs.
The wall that we want to take down is about 10 feet in length. We are new to this and have been gathering information from various forums about how to go about our project. I was told that a structural engineer would be able to make an evaluation and provide guidance.

We are in central NJ (somerset county).

Thanks!

betigers · 01-05-2010, 04:19 PM

Forgot to mention that we don't mind a dropped header. We have to move a couple of existing electrical outlets and a small plumbing line (for refrigerator) when we take the wall down.
What would be the approximate cost of this project? Since we have no idea what to expect, I thought I would ask.
Thanks.

Sergio M · 01-05-2010, 07:09 PM

14" microlam should suffice unless there is a point load above it. You're probably looking at 10 K (WCS) or under. Make sure you take out the permits and have it inspected. Do not try to hire a handynman that does this on the side. AND, BY ALL MEANS do not hire illegals!

bay · 01-06-2010, 07:48 AM

If you do not have any idea of the structure of the house, it's better you have engineer to take a look. Get some quotes by phone. I think my husband did find an engineer who is willing come to job site without extra charge. Others mostly will charge $500 to draw a plan and extra to come to job site.
In our case, it's not that complicated so we did not use an engineer. We only have crawling space under and attic above the wall. However, as we plan to build up the attic in the furture. We had lumber yard to calculate the extra load for the beam to support a complete living floor. Therefore, we do not need to worry about floor support in the future when we are ready to build up.
I totally agree Sergio M that you definitely need to get permit and have the job inspected even you hire professional contractor. Sometimes, professional still will do lousy job.
Compare with the cost to remove a load bearing wall, moving outlet and refrigerator water line won't cost a lot. With licensed electrician and plumber, probably couple hundreds dollars can do it.