Who to contact to consult on (safely) tearing walls down?
#1
06-20-06, 09:01 AM
Who to contact to consult on (safely) tearing walls down?
I'm looking to remodel the kitchen in my condo, but before I do so I thought it might be wise to identify any support beams. I've called a few general contractors and they are more interested in doing the estimate, and do not seem to want to offer me a signed letter saying the walls can be taken down. What type of professional should I be looking for?
#2
06-20-06, 09:07 AM
Member
Your condo association may have copies of the blueprints used for construction. Identification of loadbearing walls can often be difficult. Check with your local building inspector's office. They may have copies of the blueprints on file and/or help identify load bearing walls. Of course, you can always consult with a building engineer.
#3
06-20-06, 09:14 AM
Member
Who to contact to consult on (safely) tearing walls down?
Nobody will give you a meaningful signed letter unless they are paid enough in case something goes wrong and they end up in court. If you have good drawings or it is simple, it will be cheaper.
Dick
Dick
#4
06-20-06, 10:25 AM
Already have the blueprint:
http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/4...eprint24yd.jpg
The area circled in yellow is the wall I'm looking to remove. Although the blueprint looks like it made a good section of that wall load-bearing, seeing what's there leaves me questioning the accuracy of the blueprint. All the wood used is 2x4's, which I'd highly expect 4x4's or larger to be used in a 3 story condo. (Correct me if I'm wrong):
Corner pillar:
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/2061/corner16cp.jpg
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/456/corner28ny.jpg
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/5944/corner39rh.jpg
"Inside" wall:
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/1532/wall13kj.jpg
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/4210/wall20fr.jpg
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/2788/wall38sb.jpg
http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/4...eprint24yd.jpg
The area circled in yellow is the wall I'm looking to remove. Although the blueprint looks like it made a good section of that wall load-bearing, seeing what's there leaves me questioning the accuracy of the blueprint. All the wood used is 2x4's, which I'd highly expect 4x4's or larger to be used in a 3 story condo. (Correct me if I'm wrong):
Corner pillar:
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/2061/corner16cp.jpg
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/456/corner28ny.jpg
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/5944/corner39rh.jpg
"Inside" wall:
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/1532/wall13kj.jpg
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/4210/wall20fr.jpg
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/2788/wall38sb.jpg
