How Much Does Beam Installation Cost? [2026 Data]

In 2026, the national average cost for beam installation is $3,374, based on 134 verified projects from Angi Pros. Most homeowners pay between $1,244 and $5,505, with costs ranging from $3 to $40 per linear foot depending on beam type, length, and project complexity. Renovation work that requires demolition and rebuilding will push your total higher than that of new construction.

Beam Installation Cost Factors: What Affects the Price?

Consider these essential cost factors when budgeting for installing a new beam.

Type of Beam

The type of beam you choose is one of the biggest cost drivers in any installation project, with some materials costing up to twice as much as others. Traditional wooden beams, LVL beams, aluminum beams, and steel beams sit at the lower end of the price spectrum, while engineered wood and glulam beams rank among the most expensive options. Not every beam type will be structurally appropriate for your project, so contact a local structural engineer before settling on a material. 

The table below compares average material costs across nine beam types, measured per linear foot as of 2026:

Size of Beam

Beam size directly affects your installation cost, with material pricing averaging $18 per linear foot and ranging from $3 to $48 or more, depending on the material you choose. Longer beams require more material and more labor, and they can also be harder to deliver, adding to your overall project total. Beam thickness is a separate variable—you may need to upgrade to a thicker beam to support greater loads or span wider openings, so speak with a structural engineer to confirm the right size for your project.

The table below shows average material costs for four standard beam lengths:

General Contractor Costs

Beam installation is a structural job that requires a professional, and hiring a local general contractor costs $60 to $400 per linear foot for labor alone. That labor rate covers the beam installation only—it does not include removing a load-bearing wall, replacing drywall, refinishing surfaces, or any other buildback work needed to restore your home. Budget separately for those line items, as they can add significantly to your total project cost.

Structural Engineer Costs

Most beam installation and replacement projects require a structural engineer, who will draw up building plans or review and approve an architect's plans to confirm the work is structurally safe. Structural engineers cost $350 to $500 for this type of project. This fee is separate from your general contractor's labor costs, so include it as its own line item when building your budget.

Additional Pros to Consider Hiring: What to Budget For

Beam replacement rarely ends with the beam itself—restoring your home to its pre-construction condition often means hiring additional professionals for buildback work. Plan for these costs before your project begins:

• Drywall installer cost: $1,000 to $3,200

• Interior painter cost: $1,000 to $3,000

• Flooring installer cost: $1,500 to $5,000

• Foundation repair professional cost: $2,200 to $8,000

Beam Installation Costs by State: Where Does It Cost the Most?

Labor accounts for the largest share of beam installation costs, so your location has a significant effect on what you'll pay. Homeowners in high-cost states and metropolitan areas consistently pay more than those in lower cost-of-living regions. The table below shows average beam installation costs in various states across the U.S.:

Beam Installation Additional Costs: What to Budget For

There are a few other factors that can affect your budget, which you should consider if you want the most accurate estimate possible.

Project Type

Your project type is one of the most influential cost factors in beam installation, with new construction projects running closer to $1,244 and renovation projects pushing toward $5,505 once buildback is factored in. New construction is less expensive because contractors don't need to cut through drywall, insulation, or mechanical systems to access the installation area. Replacing the main support beam is among the costliest scenarios—the cost of replacing the main support beam in your home averages around $3,250 but can reach as high as $25,000 depending on accessibility. Beams in exposed foundations, such as a pier-and-beam foundation, are far easier and cheaper to access than those buried behind finished interior surfaces.

Demolition and Prep

Demolition and prep costs for beam installation run $300 to $1,500, depending on how much work is needed to expose the installation area. Renovation and add-on projects almost always require some demolition to access the space where the new beam will sit. If you're swapping out an existing beam—for example, installing a steel beam instead of a wood beam to open up your floor plan—your contractor will also need to temporarily support surrounding structural components before work begins.

Post-Construction Cleanup

Post-construction cleanup after beam installation costs $270 to $700 if it isn't already included in your contractor's contract. Some general contractors bundle cleanup into their pricing for major structural projects, so review your contract carefully before assuming it's covered. If it isn't included, budget for this separately to avoid a surprise charge at the end of your project.

Beam Delivery

Beam delivery costs $100 to $370 for materials longer than 20 feet, where a standard truck isn't sufficient and a flatbed with specialized equipment is required. Shorter beams under 20 feet can typically be transported in a standard truck, which your contractor may handle without an added delivery fee. Factor this cost into your budget early, especially if your project calls for long or heavy beams.

Permits

Building permits for beam installation cost $100 to $500, though the final amount depends on where you live. Most beam projects involve structural changes that require permits by code, so this is a non-negotiable line item in your budget. Some municipalities calculate permit fees as a percentage of total construction cost, which means your permit could cost more if the beam is part of a larger renovation.

The following table summarizes the additional cost factors you should plan for when budgeting your beam installation project:

Why You Should Hire a Beam Installation Pro

Installing structural beams isn’t a DIY-friendly task, and even decorative beams are extremely challenging to install on your own. For the best, safest results, you should always defer to a local structural engineer and general contractors for help completing this project. This ensures the beams are installed safely, professionally, and according to code, making the labor costs of $60 to $400 per linear foot more than worth the investment.

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a beam installation pro

Working with an expert when installing a beam in your home has a few key benefits, such as:

• Ensuring code compliance

• Peace of mind that your beam has been installed safely

• Avoiding injuries caused by working with heavy beams

• Ensuring the rest of your home has the structural integrity needed to support the beam

• Getting a better-looking, longer-lasting end result

Support Beam Replacement vs. Repair

For homeowners who have damaged beams in their homes, the question of whether it’s better to repair or replace the structural component is an important one to consider. In most cases, repairing by installing additional supports to take loads off of the damaged beam will be less expensive and less intrusive, but it may not last as long as a full replacement.

Beam replacement costs an average of $3,400, while a repair will cost closer to $1,500. You’ll also pay far less in build-back if you repair your beam rather than replace it since your pro will have less demolition to do to access the parts that need repairs. You should speak with a structural engineer in your area to see what the best course of action would be.

How to Save Money on Beam Installation

With beam installation costs reaching as high as $11,500, you may want to explore the following options that can help you save some money in the process.

• Consider a repair instead. If you speak with a structural engineer and discover that beam repair would be a safe alternative to replacement, this option will usually save you money, as it takes less materials and labor to complete.

• Choose your material carefully. Beam costs range widely depending on the material, so choose the most affordable option that an engineer confirms will suit your project to save money. For example, you could pay $20 less per linear foot for the cost of an LVL beam than you would for an engineered wood beam.

• Get the work done by a structural engineer. You’ll need a structural engineer to design your beam for you, but you can choose a general contractor to do the installation. If your engineer is also willing to do the physical labor, you could save a bit on labor costs if you guarantee them the entire job from start to finish.

• Tackle the buildback yourself. While you shouldn’t attempt to install or replace structural beams in your home, you can DIY some of the work to reduce labor costs. Consider tackling things like drywall repair, repainting, and post-construction cleanup to save some money.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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