Do I need a structural engineer to knock down a wall?

• <div><p>In many areas, advice from a structural engineer or an architect will be required by your building department before you can remove a wall, but even if it’s not necessary, it’s a good idea. Accidentally removing a load-bearing wall—even if a general contractor advises that it’s safe—can cause major structural damage, putting you and your family at risk and potentially costing thousands or tens of thousands of dollars in property damage.</p></div>

Can you put a doorway in a structural wall?

• <div><p>Yes, you can put a doorway in a structural wall; in fact, most exterior doors are set into structural walls. The project is a little more challenging than installing a door in a non-load-bearing wall because you need a structural engineer to assess the wall and make sure it’s safe to create a wall opening. Your engineer’s report will include instructions for your contractor on how and where to install additional supports, like steel headers above the door, to distribute the weight above to the wall on either side of the door.</p></div>

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Q: What building codes apply to spiral staircases?

• <div><p>Building codes for spiral staircases will vary by your location. Most local codes will specify minimum tread width, riser height, handrail requirements, and headroom. These standards help ensure safety and accessibility for all users. Always check local codes before you begin the installation to ensure compliance and avoid costly modifications or fines.</p></div>

Q: Are all exterior walls load-bearing?

• <div><p>It's safe to assume that all exterior walls are load-bearing, or at least have load-bearing characteristics. Some older homes feature porches or bump-outs that don't rest on the home's foundation. However, they still must carry the weight of the roof section they support. Walls containing floor-to-ceiling glass or other non-structural elements must use post and beam configurations to meet load-bearing criteria. </p></div>

Q: Are walls on the top floor load-bearing?

• <div><p>Yes, walls on the top floor can be load-bearing if stacked on the floor&rsquo;s foundation.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Structural Engineering pros in Mays Landing, NJ

*The Angi rating for Structural Engineering companies in Mays Landing, NJ is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Structural Engineering needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Structural Engineering companies in Mays Landing, NJ is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Structural Engineering needs.

Last update on May 20, 2024

Reviewed in May 2024
We hired the Meticulous Handyman to completely remodel our two bathrooms and update our laundry room. The work was truly meticulous down to making sure the house was spic and span when the job was finished. The upfront pricing was clear and concise and we even saved some money based on their...
The Meticulous Handyman
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Reviewed in October 2022
The technician was on time with his appointment and remained in constant contact while the work was being performed. He engineered the work to our liking and satisfaction and never failed to communicate throughout the process. His team was very respectable and quite easy to work with. overall we...
All Experienced, LLC
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Reviewed in July 2022
Angel and his team did a first class job of building a beautiful screened in porch on our existing deck, including the necessary structural work underneath. We spoke with multiple contractors and ZZEOS were the most knowledgeable and detailed oriented. We were so impressed with the porch, we had...
ZZeo's Home Renovations
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Reviewed in June 2022
They always came on time everyday and the work was completed exactly as the time frame they estimated. The bathroom came out amazing, some little details did not come out as expect due to the building structure, that is understandable. Overall, everything came out exactly we have planted out and...
Bathroom and Kitchen King Remodeling, LLC
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Reviewed in July 2021
We interviewed 3 potential roofing companies and Benny stood head and shoulders above the others. While his quote was not the lowest, it was fair and reasonable, and we were impressed by his knowledge and professionalism. He even worked with the claims adjustor to get the replacement covered by...
All Absolute, LLC
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Reviewed in August 2019
My fiancé and I are first time homebuyers. Jim went above and beyond for us to ensure that we were aware of every possible thing that could cost us money. We hired Jim not only for one home inspection, but also our second. Jim saved us from buying a money pit of a house, which on the outside...
Jim Roese Home Inspections LLC
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Reviewed in September 2018
Bad roof leak. Replaced structure and new roof. No more leak.
Surf & Turf Construction, LLC
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Reviewed in April 2018
Margarete at Costello promptly returned all phone calls; Costello's engineers and installers were considerate of our specific requirements; their pricing was fair and reasonable; and the finished product is just gorgeous. Can't say enough good things ... we recommend them highly.
Costello Awnings
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Reviewed in March 2018
It turns out I didn't need structural work done on my crawlspace wall that I was concerned about, and I was very impressed and grateful that Tom Kelly was so honest with me. I had had another company tell me I needed wall repair for $6,600!! So you can imagine my relief that someone...
Basements Love Us, Inc.
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Reviewed in May 2017
The process involved Seashore Construction, Margate building inspector, and an architectural firm to design the decks by city code and structural appearance. Seashore construction provided updates and description of the final job and time frames to complete the project. There response time was...
Seashore Construction Corp
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Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts

Building codes for spiral staircases will vary by your location. Most local codes will specify minimum tread width, riser height, handrail requirements, and headroom. These standards help ensure safety and accessibility for all users. Always check local codes before you begin the installation to ensure compliance and avoid costly modifications or fines.

It's safe to assume that all exterior walls are load-bearing, or at least have load-bearing characteristics. Some older homes feature porches or bump-outs that don't rest on the home's foundation. However, they still must carry the weight of the roof section they support. Walls containing floor-to-ceiling glass or other non-structural elements must use post and beam configurations to meet load-bearing criteria.

In many areas, advice from a structural engineer or an architect will be required by your building department before you can remove a wall, but even if it’s not necessary, it’s a good idea. Accidentally removing a load-bearing wall—even if a general contractor advises that it’s safe—can cause major structural damage, putting you and your family at risk and potentially costing thousands or tens of thousands of dollars in property damage.

Yes, walls on the top floor can be load-bearing if stacked on the floor’s foundation.

Yes, you can put a doorway in a structural wall; in fact, most exterior doors are set into structural walls. The project is a little more challenging than installing a door in a non-load-bearing wall because you need a structural engineer to assess the wall and make sure it’s safe to create a wall opening. Your engineer’s report will include instructions for your contractor on how and where to install additional supports, like steel headers above the door, to distribute the weight above to the wall on either side of the door.

The Mays Landing, NJ homeowners’ guide to structural engineering services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

See all articles

Alison Kasch
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Apr 4, 2026Apr 4, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Load-Bearing Wall? [2026 Data]
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May 5, 2026May 5, 2026
How Much Does Beam Installation Cost [2026 Data]
Beam installation costs are an important consideration if you’re building a home or doing renovations. Learn about average costs and factors in this guide.
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How Much Does It Cost to Install an LVL Beam? [2026 Data]
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Identify potentially serious problems with your foundation with an inspection from a structural engineer.
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Apr 5, 2026Apr 5, 2026
6 Sill Plate Replacement Tips to Consider Before Replacing
Your sill plate plays an important role in your home’s structural integrity. Learn how sill plate replacement works, when it’s needed, and more in this guide.
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Apr 4, 2026Apr 4, 2026
Who Can Check if a Wall Is Load-Bearing?
Before removing a wall, make sure it’s not load-bearing. Learn the benefits of hiring a structural engineer to check if a wall is load-bearing.