Bearing Wall Removal Cost Melbourne: Full Breakdown

Bearing wall removal in Melbourne typically costs $5,500 to $18,000 for a straightforward single storey project. The range is wide because the cost depends on how long the span is, what the beam needs to carry, and what is happening in the structure above. This post breaks down exactly what drives the cost and what each component involves.

Full cost breakdown for bearing wall removal in Melbourne

The total cost of removing a load bearing wall involves four separate components. Each has its own variables.

A simple 3-metre opening in a single storey house on a standard soil typically comes in around $5,500 to $9,000 all-in. A 5-metre opening with a heavy steel beam under a double storey structure can reach $14,000 to $18,000 or more.

What drives the cost of bearing wall removal

Span length. The longer the opening, the deeper and heavier the beam. A 3-metre span might use a 150 UB 18 (18 kilograms per metre). A 6-metre span under similar loading needs a 310 UB 46 or larger. Beam weight drives steel cost directly and affects the builder's installation cost because heavier beams require more labour and sometimes a temporary prop frame during installation.

Number of storeys above. A wall carrying only a roof above it is a lighter load case than a wall carrying a second storey floor plus the roof. The beam designed for a double storey load can be two to three times the weight of one designed for a single storey load over the same span. That difference feeds directly into steel cost.

Beam type. Steel universal beams (UB sections) are the default for most Melbourne residential beam work. LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) and glulam beams are used where steel is structurally inappropriate or where a shallower visible beam depth is preferred. LVL and glulam are typically more expensive per metre than steel for the same load capacity but are easier to finish.

Whether existing footings need upgrading. When a load bearing wall is removed, the load it carried concentrates onto the new beam supports at each end. Those supports (posts or columns) transfer a concentrated load into the footing below. If the existing footing at that location was not designed for a concentrated post load, it may need to be widened or replaced. This adds construction cost and sometimes requires digging near the footing.

The structural engineer's role in bearing wall removal

• Assess whether the wall is load bearing and what loads it carries
• Design the replacement beam to AS 4100 (steel) or AS 1720 (timber)
• Size the beam supports (posts, columns) and check the footing capacity at each end
• Design any temporary propping scheme required during construction
• Produce structural drawings and specifications for the building permit
• Certify the design so the building surveyor can issue the permit

A builder or a draftsperson cannot perform these steps. Only a registered structural engineer can certify the beam design for a building permit. Without that certification, the permit will not be issued. For more on the load bearing wall removal process, see the PBE service page.

Cost comparison by scenario

Beam types: steel UB vs LVL vs glulam

Steel Universal Beam (UB) is the most common choice for residential beam work in Melbourne. Steel beams are strong for their depth, available ex-stock from steel merchants, and can be cut to length quickly. The disadvantage is that they require a flush steel plate on each end to bear on the supporting structure, and they need to be primed and painted or boxed out before plastering if they will be exposed.

LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) is an engineered timber product that is stronger and stiffer than solid timber for the same dimension. LVL beams are used where the builder prefers a timber product for simplicity of connection, where the beam will be exposed as a feature, or where the load case suits a shallower timber profile. LVL is designed to AS 1720.1 and AS 1720.3.

Glulam (Glued Laminated Timber) is used for architecturally exposed beams where appearance matters. It is more expensive than LVL and steel but offers a premium aesthetic. Structurally it performs similarly to LVL for most residential spans.

When existing footings need upgrading under new beam posts

When a load bearing wall is removed and its load is concentrated onto posts at the ends of the new beam, the footing under each post receives a concentrated point load. A footing that was designed to carry a distributed wall load (spread over many metres) may not be adequate for a post load (concentrated at a single point).

The structural engineer checks this as part of the beam design. If the existing footing is inadequate, the options are:

• Widen the existing footing by excavating alongside it and casting a new concrete pad against it
• Install a mini-pile through or alongside the existing footing
• Redesign the beam support so it bears over a wider area (for example, onto a short wall section rather than a post)

Footing upgrades add $1,500 to $5,000 to the construction cost depending on depth, access, and extent.

Building permit requirements for wall removal in Victoria

In Victoria, structural alterations to a Class 1 building (detached house) require a building permit under the Building Act 1993. Removing a load bearing wall is a structural alteration. The permit application requires structural drawings and specifications prepared by a registered structural engineer, submitted to a registered building surveyor.

Processing time through a private building surveyor is typically two to four weeks from a complete submission. Construction cannot start until the permit is issued. Once the wall is removed and the beam is installed, a final inspection by the building surveyor is required before the permit can be closed out.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if a wall is load bearing?

The most reliable way is to have a structural engineer assess it. Indicators that a wall may be load bearing include: it runs perpendicular to the floor joists; it sits directly above or below another wall on a different level; it has a beam or ridge above it; or it runs through the centre of the house parallel to the long axis. These are indicators only. A structural engineer can confirm definitively by reviewing the structure.

Can I remove a load bearing wall myself without a permit?

No. Removing a load bearing wall without a building permit in Victoria is illegal. Beyond the legal risk, an unsupported structure during removal creates a serious safety hazard. The permit process exists to ensure the beam and its supports are designed correctly before the wall comes down.

How long does the whole bearing wall removal process take in Melbourne?

From engaging the structural engineer to completing construction, a typical single storey project takes six to ten weeks: one to two weeks for engineering, two to four weeks for the permit, and one to two weeks for construction. The permit is almost always the longest part of the timeline.

Does the builder need an engineer on site during the wall removal?

The engineer does not typically need to be on site during removal. The structural drawings specify the temporary propping scheme and the beam installation details. The builder follows those drawings. A final inspection by the building surveyor (not the engineer) is required when the work is complete. If the builder encounters something unexpected during removal (such as a hidden beam or different framing than expected), the structural engineer should be consulted before proceeding.

What is the difference between a structural engineer's fee and the building permit fee?

The structural engineer's fee covers the technical work: assessing the wall, designing the beam, producing the drawings and specifications, and certifying the design. The building permit fee is a separate charge by the registered building surveyor for reviewing the documentation and issuing the permit. Both are required. They are paid to different parties and are not interchangeable.