InstaBidsInstaBids
Skip to content
InstaBids
Menu
Use your AIAdd InstaBids to your assistantHow InstaBids works
Use your AIStart my request

Do you need an engineer to remove a load-bearing wall?

Sometimes. The 2021 International Residential Code, a model code, lists girder and header spans for bearing walls, says structural elements exceeding its limits shall be designed in accordance with accepted engineering practice, and calls for a registered design professional where the jurisdiction's statutes require one or, where special conditions exist, the building official is authorized to require one.

Source: 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 6 Wall Construction, International Code Council, read 22 October 2026 (our saved browser copy, as read on 2026-10-22).
Source: 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 3 Building Planning, International Code Council, read 22 October 2026 (our saved browser copy, as read on 2026-10-22).
Source: 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 1 Scope and Administration, International Code Council, read 22 October 2026 (our saved browser copy, as read on 2026-10-22).

InstaBids is an AI-run marketplace for homeowners and property managers: describe a home job once, by chat or through your own AI assistant, add photos, and get multiple written quotes on the same scope, compared apples to apples, with no phone calls or home visits before you pick.

For homeowners.

By InstaBids editorial team with AI research agents. Sources read: 22 October 2026 Updated 2026-10-22

InstaBids assistantAI · builds your written scope with you

What home job do you need done in your home? Describe it once to start your written scope.

Start from a common job
You choose who gets your number
  1. Describe it onceBy chat, or through your own AI assistant, and add photos.
  2. Post it and send itContractors bid in writing on that scope.
  3. Compare line by lineEvery quote is written against the same scope.
  4. You chooseContact details stay hidden until you pick and they confirm.

Use with your AI

Add InstaBids to your assistant

Key facts

What does the model code say about engineered design?

The answer starts with the loads the wall carries today. Section R301.1 of the 2021 International Residential Code sets the load rule, and Section R301.1.3 says when an element has to be designed in accordance with accepted engineering practice; both are quoted below in their own words.

Source: 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 3 Building Planning, International Code Council, read 22 October 2026 (our saved browser copy, as read on 2026-10-22).

2021 IRC Section R301.1 Application: "Buildings and structures, and parts thereof, shall be constructed to safely support all loads, including dead loads, live loads, roof loads, flood loads, snow loads, wind loads and seismic loads as prescribed by this code." The same section goes on: "The construction of buildings and structures in accordance with the provisions of this code shall result in a system that provides a complete load path that meets the requirements for the transfer of loads from their point of origin through the load-resisting elements to the foundation."

Source: 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 3 Building Planning, International Code Council, read 22 October 2026 (our saved browser copy, as read on 2026-10-22).

2021 IRC Section R301.1.3 Engineered design: "Where a building of otherwise conventional construction contains structural elements exceeding the limits of Section R301 or otherwise not conforming to this code, these elements shall be designed in accordance with accepted engineering practice." It adds: "Engineered design in accordance with the International Building Code is permitted for buildings and structures, and parts thereof, included in the scope of this code."

Source: 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 3 Building Planning, International Code Council, read 22 October 2026 (our saved browser copy, as read on 2026-10-22).

In our reading, a beam that takes the place of a bearing wall is one of the parts that has to carry those loads down to the foundation, so the question is whether the code's own tables cover it or it has to be designed.

When must a registered design professional prepare the plans?

Where your state's statutes require it, and where the building official asks for it under special conditions. Section R106.1 of the 2021 code says both, and its exception lets the building official waive some documents; the three passages are quoted below.

Source: 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 1 Scope and Administration, International Code Council, read 22 October 2026 (our saved browser copy, as read on 2026-10-22).

2021 IRC Section R106.1 Submittal documents: "The construction documents shall be prepared by a registered design professional where required by the statutes of the jurisdiction in which the project is to be constructed." The next sentence: "Where special conditions exist, the building official is authorized to require additional construction documents to be prepared by a registered design professional."

Source: 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 1 Scope and Administration, International Code Council, read 22 October 2026 (our saved browser copy, as read on 2026-10-22).

The section's exception: "Exception: The building official is authorized to waive the submission of construction documents and other data not required to be prepared by a registered design professional if it is found that the nature of the work applied for is such that reviewing of construction documents is not necessary to obtain compliance with this code."

Source: 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 1 Scope and Administration, International Code Council, read 22 October 2026 (our saved browser copy, as read on 2026-10-22).

Can a beam from the code's span tables replace the wall?

Within the tables' limits, the 2021 code gives girder and header spans for bearing walls, and its own notes say when a header or girder shall be designed instead. Section R602.7 points to the tables, and Table R602.7(2) covers interior bearing walls; the lines are quoted below.

Source: 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 6 Wall Construction, International Code Council, read 22 October 2026 (our saved browser copy, as read on 2026-10-22).

2021 IRC Section R602.7 Headers: "For header spans, see Tables R602.7(1), R602.7(2) and R602.7(3)." Table R602.7(2), note e, reads: "Spans are calculated assuming the top of the header or girder is laterally braced by perpendicular framing. Where the top of the header or girder is not laterally braced (for example, cripple studs bearing on the header), tabulated spans for headers consisting of 2 × 8, 2 × 10, or 2 × 12 sizes shall be multiplied by 0.70 or the header or girder shall be designed."

Source: 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 6 Wall Construction, International Code Council, read 22 October 2026 (our saved browser copy, as read on 2026-10-22).

A wall that carries no load is treated differently. 2021 IRC Section R602.7.4 Nonbearing walls: "Load-bearing headers are not required in interior or exterior nonbearing walls."

Source: 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 6 Wall Construction, International Code Council, read 22 October 2026 (our saved browser copy, as read on 2026-10-22).

In our reading, a long opening, a beam that carries a point load from above, or framing that no table row fits is where the engineered-design section quoted earlier comes in, and that is the point to ask for an engineer.

Which permit and code rules apply to removing the wall?

The model code says an owner who intends to alter a building shall first obtain the required permit, and that alterations shall not cause an existing structure to become less compliant. Its Chapter 1 note says the code is intended to be adopted as a legally enforceable document; the passages are quoted below.

Source: 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 1 Scope and Administration, International Code Council, read 22 October 2026 (our saved browser copy, as read on 2026-10-22).

2021 IRC Section R105.1 Required: "Any owner or owner’s authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be performed, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit."

Source: 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 1 Scope and Administration, International Code Council, read 22 October 2026 (our saved browser copy, as read on 2026-10-22).

2021 IRC Section R102.7.1 Additions, alterations or repairs: "Additions, alterations, repairs and relocations shall not cause an existing structure to become less compliant with the provisions of this code than the existing building or structure was prior to the addition, alteration or repair."

Source: 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 1 Scope and Administration, International Code Council, read 22 October 2026 (our saved browser copy, as read on 2026-10-22).

The Chapter 1 user note: "The one- and two-family dwelling code is intended to be adopted as a legally enforceable document, and it cannot be effective without adequate provisions for its administration and enforcement."

Source: 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 1 Scope and Administration, International Code Council, read 22 October 2026 (our saved browser copy, as read on 2026-10-22).

2021 IRC Section R101.1 Title: "These provisions shall be known as the Residential Code for One- and Two-family Dwellings of [NAME OF JURISDICTION], and shall be cited as such"

Source: 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 1 Scope and Administration, International Code Council, read 22 October 2026 (our saved browser copy, as read on 2026-10-22).

In our reading, the blank for the jurisdiction's name is the point: the IRC is a model, and your city, county or state may use a different edition, change these sections, or add its own rule on who must prepare the plans.

How should you plan a bearing wall removal before getting bids?

Find out what your building department wants before anyone opens the wall, and ask every bidder to put the structural plan in writing so you can compare like with like. This is practical reasoning, not legal advice and not a finding from any agency.

  1. Call or visit your local building department and ask which code edition it uses and whether it wants plans from a registered design professional for removing a bearing wall in your house.
  2. Ask each bidder to describe in writing how the load above the wall will be carried: the beam, the posts at each end, and what those posts stand on down to the foundation.
  3. Ask each bidder whether the beam size comes from the code's span tables or from an engineer's design, and keep that answer with the bid.
  4. Ask how the floor or roof above will be held up while the wall is out, and who removes that temporary support.
  5. Agree in writing who applies for the permit and who books the inspections, and keep the permit, plans and inspection record with your house papers.

Who sees your contact details when you post on InstaBids?

Contact details stay hidden until the homeowner picks a contractor and they confirm the connection.

Source: InstaBids process and privacy, live-page excerpts, read 22 October 2026.

Post your job on InstaBids, and contractors can bid in writing on one written scope.

Homeowners anywhere in the US can post a job; once you send it, InstaBids finds contractors to bid on it.

Start my request

Sources for the facts on this page

Start my requestUse your AI