I'm planning to sell my house eventually, but I discovered that the previous owner removed part of a load-bearing wall about a decade ago. There's uncertainty about whether a beam was installed in that 4-foot section. A structural engineer assessed it three years ago and had no concerns, but I'm torn. Should I open up the drywall to check and possibly add a beam, or is it okay to just leave it as is? Also, I should mention that the removal work was never permitted.
3 Answers
Have you tried checking where the wall was removed? A good stud finder could help you figure out the layout of your space. Marking where the studs and supports are can give you a better idea of what’s going on without tearing down the drywall.
I think you might be fine leaving it as is since an engineer already checked it out. Maybe focus on other home projects—like gutters or landscaping—rather than worrying about something that’s been stable for years. By the way, if you're selling, just be prepared to disclose it; that’ll cover you.
If the structural engineer had no concerns, what's making you worried now? It sounds like you’re second-guessing the past assessment. Maybe doing a little maintenance work elsewhere might ease your worries instead!
That's fair! I just worry about how it might come up during the sale. It makes sense to disclose it outright and show the engineer's report.