How to Remove an Internal Brick Wall Safely
Updated: 10th September 2026
Removing an internal brick wall can completely change the way you use your home. It can create an open-plan kitchen and dining room, connect previously separate living spaces or simply make an existing room feel larger and brighter.
But before any bricks are removed, there is one important question to answer: is the wall load-bearing?
If an internal brick wall supports floors, walls or the roof structure above, removing it is a structural alteration. The load will need to be safely transferred using an appropriate structural solution, which will often involve installing an RSJ or steel beam.
At Wall Away, we specialise in internal wall removal & load-bearing wall removal and RSJ installation across Hertfordshire and North London. Here's what homeowners need to know before removing an internal brick wall.
Can You Remove an Internal Brick Wall?
Yes. In most properties, it is possible to remove an internal brick wall, provided the structural implications are properly assessed first.
The fact that a wall is made from brick doesn't automatically mean that it is load-bearing. Equally, you shouldn't assume that a wall is safe to remove simply because it looks like an ordinary internal partition.
A wall may be supporting:
floor joists above
another wall on the floor above
part of the roof structure
other structural elements within the property
If the wall is load-bearing, suitable support must be designed before the wall is removed.
This is why identifying whether a wall is load-bearing should always be the first step in a structural wall removal project.
How Do I Know if an Internal Brick Wall Is Load-Bearing?
There are sometimes clues that suggest an internal wall may be load-bearing, but it's difficult to determine with certainty from appearance alone.
The position and direction of floor joists, walls on the floors above, roof structure and original construction of the property can all help establish what the wall is supporting.
However, these shouldn't be treated as a DIY checklist.
A professional wall removal survey allows the existing structure to be assessed before work begins. Where the wall is structural, the required calculations can then be completed to determine how the loads above should be supported.
This is particularly important in older properties, where previous renovations may have altered the original structure of the building.
What Happens if You Remove a Load-Bearing Brick Wall?
A load-bearing wall transfers weight from the structure above into the foundations below.
Removing that wall without replacing its structural function means those loads are no longer adequately supported.
This can result in:
cracking to walls and ceilings
movement or sagging in floors
doors and windows becoming difficult to open
movement in the structure above
damage to surrounding masonry
in serious cases, partial structural failure
Problems aren't necessarily immediate. An inadequately supported alteration can remain in place for some time before signs of movement become obvious.
That's why the structural solution should be determined before demolition begins, rather than attempting to correct problems afterwards.
How Is a Load-Bearing Brick Wall Removed?
Removing a load-bearing brick wall is more involved than simply demolishing the masonry.
The exact process depends on the property and proposed opening, but a typical project involves several stages.
1. Assessing the Existing Wall
The first step is establishing whether the wall is structural and identifying what it supports.
The proposed size of the new opening also needs to be considered. Removing a doorway-sized section of masonry creates very different structural requirements from opening almost the entire width of a property.
2. Structural Calculations
Where structural support is required, calculations are used to determine how the loads above will be transferred.
This determines the appropriate steel beam or other structural arrangement, including its size, specification and required supports.
3. Building Regulations Approval
Removing a load-bearing wall is normally subject to Building Regulations.
The structural design and calculations are submitted as part of the Building Control process so the proposed work can be assessed for compliance.
4. Temporary Support
Before the existing wall is removed, the structure above must be appropriately supported.
This allows the masonry to be taken down without leaving the floors, walls or roof above unsupported.
5. Wall Removal and Steel Installation
The required section of brickwork can then be carefully removed and the specified structural steel installed.
Depending on the design, this may be a single RSJ or a more complex steel arrangement.
6. Inspection and Making Good
Once the structural work has been completed, the installation can be inspected as required by Building Control.
The surrounding area can then be made good and prepared for the next stage of the renovation.
Do You Need an RSJ to Remove an Internal Brick Wall?
Not always.
If the wall is genuinely non-load-bearing, removing it may not require a replacement structural beam.
If the wall is load-bearing, however, the loads it previously carried need to be supported by another means.
An RSJ or other structural steel beam is one of the most common solutions in residential properties.
Despite the term "RSJ" being widely used by homeowners, the actual steel specified for a project may be a Universal Beam (UB), Universal Column (UC) or another structural steel arrangement.
The correct solution depends on factors including the span of the opening and the loads being supported.
This is why an RSJ shouldn't simply be selected based on the width of the opening. The steel needs to be specified for the individual property.
Can I Remove a Wall Between My Kitchen and Dining Room?
In many cases, yes.
Removing the wall between a kitchen and dining room is one of the most common structural alterations we carry out. It can create a much larger kitchen-diner and is particularly popular when creating an open-plan layout.
The same principles still apply.
Before the wall is removed, you need to establish whether it is load-bearing, whether structural steel is required and whether there are electrical cables, plumbing, heating pipes or other services running through it.
If the opening is structural, the appropriate calculations and Building Control approval should be arranged before work begins.
Can You Remove Only Part of a Load-Bearing Wall?
Yes. You don't necessarily need to remove an entire wall.
Structural openings can be created in existing load-bearing walls to connect rooms while retaining sections of the original wall.
For example, you might want to create:
a wide opening between a kitchen and dining room
an opening between two living spaces
a new doorway
a larger opening into an extension
space for bi-fold or sliding doors
The size and position of the opening affect the structural design, so the required support needs to be calculated specifically for the project.
Do I Need Building Regulations Approval to Remove an Internal Wall?
If the internal wall is load-bearing, Building Regulations approval will normally be required.
Building Regulations are concerned with ensuring that alterations to a property remain safe and structurally sound.
For a load-bearing wall removal, Building Control will typically need information showing how the loads previously supported by the wall will be transferred once it has been removed.
This is usually supported by structural calculations and details of the proposed steelwork.
If the wall is non-load-bearing, structural approval may not be required. However, other Building Regulations considerations can sometimes apply, particularly where an alteration affects fire safety, escape routes, ventilation or other aspects of the property.
At Wall Away, we can manage the Building Control process alongside the structural work, so homeowners don't have to coordinate each stage separately.
Do I Need Planning Permission to Remove an Internal Brick Wall?
In most ordinary homes, planning permission isn't required simply to remove an internal wall.
However, planning permission and Building Regulations approval are not the same thing.
You might not need planning permission but still require Building Regulations approval because you're altering the structure of the property.
Different requirements can also apply to listed buildings, where consent may be required for internal alterations.
If you're unsure, it's best to establish the requirements before work begins.
What About Electrical Wiring and Plumbing Inside the Wall?
Internal walls frequently contain more than bricks and mortar.
Electrical cables, sockets, switches, radiators, pipework and other services may all need to be dealt with before or during the removal.
These need to be identified and safely isolated or rerouted as part of the project.
This is another reason why removing an internal wall should be planned as a complete alteration rather than simply treated as demolition work.
How Much Does It Cost to Remove an Internal Brick Wall?
There isn't a single standard price for internal brick wall removal because two apparently similar walls can require very different amounts of structural work.
The cost is influenced by factors including:
whether the wall is load-bearing
the length of the proposed opening
the loads being supported
the steel beam specification
access to the property
temporary support requirements
structural calculations
Building Control requirements
electrical or plumbing alterations
making good after installation
A straightforward opening will naturally cost less than removing several metres of load-bearing masonry requiring substantial structural steelwork.
For projects involving structural steel, you can also read our guide to how much steel beams cost for a load-bearing wall.
The most reliable way to establish the cost is therefore to assess the actual wall and proposed opening rather than relying on a generic per-metre figure.
How Long Does Internal Wall Removal Take?
Again, this depends on the project.
The physical removal of the masonry may only represent one part of the job. A structural project can also involve the initial survey, calculations, Building Control, preparation, temporary support, RSJ installation and making good.
Larger openings and more complicated steel arrangements naturally take longer than straightforward wall removals.
At Wall Away, the project is assessed in advance so we can explain what's involved and provide a realistic timescale before work starts.
Can I Remove an Internal Brick Wall Myself?
The important distinction here is between demolition and structural alteration.
Physically removing bricks isn't necessarily the difficult part. The risk is removing a wall without fully understanding what it supports.
If the wall is load-bearing, incorrect removal can compromise the structure above and potentially create a dangerous situation.
Even if you believe a wall is non-load-bearing, hidden services and previous alterations to the property can complicate the work.
For that reason, we'd recommend having an internal brick wall professionally assessed before deciding how to proceed.
What Are the Signs That a Wall Has Been Removed Incorrectly?
Sometimes homeowners contact us because a wall has already been removed, either by a previous owner or during earlier renovation work.
Potential warning signs can include new or worsening cracks, sagging ceilings, movement above the former wall position or doors and windows that have started sticking.
However, the absence of obvious cracking doesn't prove that an alteration is structurally sound.
We've encountered previous structural alterations where inadequate support remained in place for years before becoming a problem.
If you're concerned about an existing wall removal or steel installation, it is worth having the structure inspected rather than waiting for visible signs of failure.
Who Should I Contact About Removing a Load-Bearing Wall?
A load-bearing wall removal usually involves several interconnected elements: assessing the existing structure, completing structural calculations, arranging Building Control approval, temporarily supporting the property, removing the masonry and installing the permanent steelwork.
You can coordinate those stages separately, or work with a specialist structural wall removal company that manages the process.
Wall Away specialises in load-bearing wall removal and RSJ installation across Hertfordshire and North London, with the structural survey, calculations and Building Control requirements managed as part of the project.
FAQs About Internal Brick Wall Removal
Can any internal brick wall be removed?
Most internal walls can potentially be removed or altered, but whether this is practical depends on the structure of the property. Load-bearing walls require an appropriate replacement support system.
Does a brick wall mean it's load-bearing?
No. A brick wall isn't automatically load-bearing. Its structural function depends on the design and construction of the property and what, if anything, it supports above.
Do I need a structural engineer to remove an internal wall?
If the wall is load-bearing, structural calculations will normally be required to design the replacement support. A professional assessment can also establish whether the wall is structural in the first place.
Can I remove a load-bearing wall without an RSJ?
Potentially, depending on the structural design, but the loads still need to be safely supported. Structural steel is one of the most common solutions. The appropriate support should be determined from the requirements of the individual property.
How much of a load-bearing wall can be removed?
Large openings are often possible, including openings spanning several metres. The greater the opening, however, the more significant the structural requirements may become. The feasible opening depends on the property and the structural solution available.
Can you remove a brick wall between two rooms?
Yes. Walls between kitchens, dining rooms and living rooms are frequently removed to create larger or open-plan spaces. The wall should first be checked to determine whether it is load-bearing.
Will removing an internal wall damage my ceiling?
Temporary support and an appropriately designed structural solution are used to support the structure while a load-bearing wall is removed. Some making good is normally required as part of the renovation, but properly managed structural work shouldn't leave the building above unsupported.
Can you tell if a wall is load-bearing from house plans?
Plans can provide useful information, but they don't always reflect the property exactly as it exists today, particularly if previous alterations have been made. An on-site assessment provides additional information about the existing structure.
Thinking About Removing an Internal Wall?
If you're considering opening up your kitchen, connecting two rooms or removing an internal brick wall as part of a wider renovation, find out what the wall is supporting before demolition begins.
Wall Away provides wall removal surveys, load-bearing wall removal, structural openings and RSJ installation across Hertfordshire and North London.
We can assess the wall, determine the structural requirements, arrange the necessary calculations and Building Control process, and carry out the wall removal and steel installation.
Get in touch with Wall Away to arrange a free site survey and find out what's possible with your space.