Hey everyone! I'm considering taking down the wall that separates my kitchen from the living room in my bungalow. I had two contractors come by, and they both said the wall isn't load bearing. However, I'd still like to get some additional opinions on this. If anyone has experience with load bearing walls or knows how to determine if this one is, I'd appreciate your thoughts! I also have some photos and blueprints available here: [https://imgur.com/a/bGTpeDr](https://imgur.com/a/bGTpeDr)
3 Answers
I mean, you might want to trust the contractors over random folks online! But seriously, it’s hard to tell just from pictures. You’ve already had some experts check it out, which is great. If you’re still feeling unsure, hiring a structural engineer who has no ties to a contractor can provide you a solid answer!
Totally agree! Pictures alone aren't enough to determine if a wall is load bearing. It's interesting to note that your trusses don’t line up with the blueprints. It’s not super unusual, but it does mean you should double-check with a structural engineer who can analyze the load properly, especially since that wall might have shifted some weight over the years. Just be safe!
On a side note, I noticed you called your house a 'bungalow.' Just curious, what’s your reasoning behind that? From what I gather, bungalows are usually one story and have that classic Craftsman style. Your place looks more like a raised ranch or split level to me!