Kick erosion to the curb with an eye-catching retaining wall. Retaining wall costs in Boston, MA, vary based on the material, but this guide will help you budget.
How Much Does Beam Installation Cost in Boston, MA? [2026 Data]
Structural engineering costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
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Cost Insights
The average cost for beam installation in Boston, MA, is $3,374, depending on materials and length.
Your final total depends heavily on whether you need new construction or a complex home renovation.
You must budget for extra expenses like structural engineer fees, which cost between $350 and $500.
Hiring a structural engineer in Boston, MA to install beams keeps you and your household safe from structural damage.
This article was created using automation technology and thoroughly fact-checked and edited by an Angi Editor in accordance with our AI policy.
Beam installation in Boston, MA, costs $3,374 on average, and ranges from $1,244 to $5,505. The total price for installing a support beam depends heavily on the beam's material, the required span length, and local labor rates for structural work. Reviewing these expenses beforehand helps you budget effectively for the project and ensures your home remains safely supported and structurally sound.
Beam Installation Cost Factors
When planning a structural update in Boston, MA, you will need to hire a local general contractor and a structural engineer to ensure the job is done safely. The final price of your project depends heavily on the materials you choose, the size of the space, and the complexity of the required demolition.
Type of Beam
The material you select for your structural support plays a major role in your overall budget, as some options are significantly more expensive to manufacture and install. For example, traditional wood beams are a popular choice for homes in Boston, MA, and cost between $5 and $30 per linear foot. If you need something stronger to withstand heavy snow loads during variable winter weather, steel beams run from $6 to $20 per linear foot.
| Beam Type | Material Cost (per Linear Foot) |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | $13–$30 |
| Decorative beam | $8–$48 |
| Engineered wood | $3–$40 |
| Glulam | $5–$40 |
| Load-bearing beam | $6–$40 |
| LVL | $3–$12 |
| Main house support beam | $6–$40 |
| Steel | $6–$20 |
| Traditional wood | $5–$30 |
Size of Beam
The length and thickness of your required support directly dictate how much material you need, which naturally drives up the price. A standard 10-foot beam averages $180 per 10-foot beam for materials, while a massive 40-foot span will cost around $720 per 40-foot beam.
| Beam Length (Ft.) | Average Material Cost |
|---|---|
| 10 | $180 |
| 20 | $360 |
| 30 | $540 |
| 40 | $720 |
General Contractor Costs
Because this is a major structural modification, you must hire a professional to handle the heavy lifting and ensure the framing is secure. Labor rates for a general contractor range from $60 to $400 per linear foot, depending on the complexity of the installation. This fee only covers the installation itself, so you will need to budget separately for any drywall repair or painting required afterward.
Structural Engineer Costs
Before any walls come down, an expert must evaluate your home's load-bearing capacity and draw up safe, compliant building plans. Hiring a structural engineer for this crucial step will add a flat one-time cost of $350 to $500 per project to your budget.
Additional Pros to Consider Hiring
Opening up a floor plan or replacing a failing support disturbs the surrounding finishes in your home. Once the structural work is complete, you will need to pay for interior painting costs or hire a pro for flooring installation to restore the room. If the original damage stemmed from settling, you must also factor in foundation repair costs to prevent future issues.
Additional Cost Factors
Project Type
The scope and setting of your construction heavily influence the final bill, as working around existing walls is much harder than building from scratch. If you are adding supports during new construction, your total project will sit near the lower end of the spectrum at $1,244 per project. However, if you are remodeling an older home in Boston, MA, and need extensive demolition and buildback, expect the overall average to push closer to $5,505 per project.
Demolition and Prep
Removing old drywall, rerouting electrical wires, and setting up temporary shoring all require extra time and labor before the new support can go in. This necessary preparation work adds a flat one-time cost of $300 to $1,500 per project, depending on how difficult it is to access the work area.
Post-Construction Cleanup
Major structural work generates a massive amount of dust, debris, and leftover materials that must be safely hauled away. Unless your contractor includes this service in their contract, expect to pay a flat one-time cost of $270 to $700 per project for a professional post-construction cleaning.
Beam Delivery
Transporting massive, heavy materials requires specialized flatbed trucks and equipment, especially if the span exceeds 20 feet. Delivering these oversized components safely to your property will incur a flat one-time cost of $100 to $370 per delivery.
Beam Installation Pro Costs
Hiring a professional ensures your structural updates in Boston, MA, remain safe and secure. You need a general contractor to handle the heavy lifting and precise framing. Labor rates for this pro range from $60 to $400 per linear foot, depending on the complexity of your remodel. Before removing any walls, we recommend hiring a structural engineer to evaluate load-bearing capacities. An engineer charges a flat rate of $350 to $500 per project to create compliant building plans.
Permits
Before starting beam installation, confirm whether your project requires permits in your area and who is responsible for obtaining them. Permit requirements and costs vary by location, but most beam installation permits range from $100 to $500, depending on the scope of work and your local municipality.
Working without the proper permits can lead to fines, project delays, or complications when selling your home. If you're hiring a beam installation professional, review your contract to ensure they will handle the permitting process and inspections. To verify permit requirements, visit your city or county's official building department website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Why You Should Hire a Beam Installation Pro
Working with beam installation pros in Boston, MA ensures your home stays structurally sound, saving you valuable time and providing long-lasting value.
Local experts understand regional building codes and secure the necessary permits for your renovation.
Contractors possess specialized lifting equipment to position heavy steel or wooden supports accurately.
Experienced teams identify hidden load-bearing issues before removing any existing walls.
Hiring an expert guarantees the new support system integrates flawlessly with your current framework.
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.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Structural engineering services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Boston, MA
4.1★ avg. • 8 total reviews
- Andrew O.
As the Director of Facilities for a 500+ unit apartment complex, I annually reassess our expenditures to ensure efficiency. This year, we opted for Discreet Pest And Wildlife Services due to their competitive pricing structure. The technician provided a tailored plan, understanding our...
Discreet Pest and Wildlife Services, Inc. - Nick K.
I received the name of John Hubert Roofing, Sommerville, Mass. from Home Advisors. "Jubert" promptly called me back and I sent him pictures and a lot of details on my small 850 square foot leaking rubber roof in the Back Bay of Boston, Mass. We had a few weather delays , but after...
John Hubert Roofing & Home Improvement - Janet C.
John was quick to answer my request and provide me with an accurate estimate. The job had to expedited, as the house was scheduled to be rented in (2) days. The front porch boards were rotted, with the possibility that someone could put their foot through. Too much of a liability. John...
MurrayConstruction - Home Facebook - Maria M.
We want to extend our appreciation to Golden Hammer Remodeling for contructing our beautiful apartment. We were impressed with the way you worked so hard to get the plan just right from the beginning process. You listened carefully to what we wanted while your expertise guided us to avoid...
Golden Hammer Remodeling - Dennis C.
Bath tub drain was cleared and demonstrated by flushing water to view where drain was cleared. Shower drain was not cleared by Eddie since he demonstrated that this was the way it drains. He pointed out that the drain screen was not screwed in but grouted on and does not want to remove and...
Drain & Heating Solutions - Katie R.
Liam and Kevin were incredible professional and finished the job in record time! We were on a very tight timeline and they made themselves available to start and finish the project before our store opened. They had great suggestions and knowledge on what we could and could not do with the...
Neary Construction - Adam G.
The tech arrived on time and was pleasant. He had a hard time locating the unit which was built into the ceiling (I had mentioned this when making the appointment on the phone). He said from the age I probably need a new unit (it was 15 years old). When he checked it was out of coolant so he...
Sila Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical - Max S.
Professional from beginning to end. Estimator was quick and thorough. Project planner and I were in contact often, as needed. Prep crew and paving crew showed up as scheduled. Even little job issues were quickly resolved (such as laying conduit for invisible fencing, and coordinating with...
Asphalt Engineering - Eric H.
Incredibly well. Lenny and Mike spent several hours going over every inch of this property and recommended that we accompany them so they may explain WHAT is WHAT along the way. We learned quite a bit. Everything was going quite well. However, Lenny recommended that we enlist a structural...
B-Sure Home Inspection - Thanh T.
I liked the fact that they were honest. They told me I didn't need the air duct cleaning given the structure of my building. Everyone I dealt with was friendly and accomodating.
Air Scrubbers Air Duct Cleaning LLC
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