Load Bearing Wall Analysis

LINEBERGER CONSULTING ENGINEERS, INC.

19141 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 104 · San Antonio, Texas 78258
(San Antonio) 210-601-1379 (Austin) 512-522-9197 (Email): [email protected]

Dear Customer,

You’ve hired a licensed professional engineer to determine if a wall you wish to remove or modify supports significant loads other
than its self-weight. If so, then you would like the engineer to specify a wood beam support system to replace the wall. This may
apply to one or more walls. But, before we describe the Load Bearing Wall Analysis process, let’s take a minute to help you prepare
for the engineer’s on-site analyses:

1. The engineer must collect sufficient data to evaluate any structural modifications necessary to support proposed wall
openings.

2. Sufficient data is any information that allows specifying safe, serviceable, and structurally sound residence framework
modifications.

3. Before the engineer arrives on-site, the customer is strongly advised to expose any spaces above interior walls targeted for
removal or relocation which may conceal their load bearing structural elements.

4. Generally speaking, wall, ceiling, and mid-floor/attic space coverings and/or thermal insulation must be removed to expose
concealed spaces above and near walls targeted for removal/relocation.

5. To facilitate load bearing wall analyses, approximate 3 feet x 3 feet holes must be cut into the ceiling drywall next to the
targeted walls/columns (both sides of the wall if possible).

6. Remove insulation only in areas of attic directly above drywall cuts. Note: light will shine through the drywall cuts into
attic from below to aid in specifying insulation targeted for temporary removal.

7. The customer may reschedule the engineer to return to the residence to perform a load bearing wall analyses when items 4
– 6 above are substantially complete.

8. Safe attic access should be provided by the customer into the attic space.
9. The engineer is not responsible for any material damage to the structure occurring in the commission of investigative

engineering services while on-site.
10. In the interest of expediency, the customer may elect to have a contractor capable of removing additional wall/ceiling

coverings present when the engineer returns to collect sufficient data to ensure necessary visual access to relevant
concealed spaces.

A Load Bearing Wall Analysis may have one, two, or three distinct steps. Here’s what you can expect when purchasing this service:
Step #1: Do the target wall(s) bear any significant loads other than their self-weight? If so, then we proceed to Step #2. If not,
then the target wall probably requires no replacement beam upon its removal. No further work is required. The customer is notified
via email or verbally and the service is complete.
Step #2: What are the estimated dead and live loads the new wood beam will support? This step requires identifying and
estimating any building loads requiring new wood beam support when removing or modifying the target wall(s). These loads are
then used to specify the new wood beam. Proceed to Step #3.
Step #3: What size wood beam do I need, how is it supported, and where will it be located? This step specifies the new wood
support beam(s) that replace any removed or modified walls. New beam specification(s) are provided to the customer along with a
schematic sketch showing the new beam and support location(s).

Service Limitations:
1. Service Description: This service helps determine:
a. if your target wall supports significant loads other than its self-weight,
b. if modifying or removing your target wall is technically feasible,
c. if removing and replacing your target wall with a wood beam helps achieve your project goals.
2. Service Deliverables: This service includes a single trip to the site to determine the impact of one proposed wall
modification. The engineer may attempt to estimate load conditions when target wall areas are concealed. Customer
acknowledges beam load estimates may not result in an optimized beam. The customer is encouraged to expose any
concealed areas surrounding the target wall so the engineer may accurately evaluate structural loading and load positioning.
Paper Document Deliverables:
a. Sealed Engineering Report,
b. Unsealed Sketch showing the beam/column location if requested, and
c. Beam Specification if requested.
3. Service Fees: Additional fees apply to multiple wall/beam analyses at a rate of $250.00 per analyses and $250.00 per

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LINEBERGER CONSULTING ENGINEERS, INC.

19141 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 104 · San Antonio, Texas 78258
(San Antonio) 210-601-1379 (Austin) 512-522-9197 (Email): [email protected]
alternative (option 1, 2, 3, etc.).
4. Key Points:
a. This service covers a single wall/wood beam analysis and excludes sealed engineering drawings, specifications,
foundation engineering, soils analysis, geotechnical opinions, or multiple trips to the site.
b. Detailed structural connection specifications are excluded from this service.
c. While there are many variables and exceptions, 12 inch deep beams supporting heavy loads spanning more than about
20 feet require steel beams. Steel beam designs, specifications and/or construction drawing services are excluded from
this service.
d. Permit requirements vary and are unpredictable. This service may not support your specific jurisdictional permit
requirements. Additional fees may apply.
Sincerely,

Consulting Engineer
Jeffery L. Lineberger, P. E.
Principal Consultant
Lineberger Consulting Engineers, Inc.
Texas Professional Engineer License No. 65133
Texas Registered Engineering Firm No. F-4694

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