Before tearing down or cutting an opening in a wall in your home, it is essential to determine whether it is load-bearing. In Quebec, any modification of a structural element must be validated by an engineer who is a member of the OIQ and must comply with the National Building Code of Canada (NBC 2020) as well as the Quebec Construction Code. Our team analyzes your wall, designs the replacement beam, and provides the sealed plans required for your municipal permit.
When should you consult a structural engineer?
Open-concept kitchen-living room
Removing a wall between two rooms to create an open space requires designing a replacement beam and calculating the load path.
Enlarging an opening
Widening a door, creating a passage, or enlarging a window in a load-bearing wall requires engineer-signed plans for your municipal permit.
Finished or reconfigured basement
Cutting through a foundation wall or modifying a structural wall in the basement requires a rigorous analysis of the building's overall stability.
Major renovation
Reconfiguring an entire floor or modifying multiple walls simultaneously requires a comprehensive structural study to ensure safety.
Our 4-step process
Site visit
On-site inspection by a structural engineer, typically within 5 business days of your request.
Structural analysis
Identification of loads (dead, live, snow, wind), span and support calculations per NBC 2020.
Solution design
Selection of the beam type (LVL, PSL, steel W or HSS) and design of connections and supports tailored to your project.
OIQ-sealed plans
Delivery of plans signed and sealed by an engineer who is a member of the OIQ, ready for your municipal permit application.
What you receive
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a wall is load-bearing?+
Several signs may suggest a wall is load-bearing: orientation perpendicular to the ceiling joists, central position in the building, presence of a beam or aligned wall on the floor above. However, only an on-site visit by a structural engineer can confirm this with certainty.
Do I need a municipal permit to remove a wall?+
In most municipalities in the Quebec City and South Shore region (Lévis, Quebec City, Sainte-Foy, Beauport, Charlesbourg), a permit is required for any modification of a structural element, including the partial or complete removal of a load-bearing wall. Requirements vary — check with your local urban planning department.
How long before I receive my plans?+
The site visit is typically performed within 5 business days of your request. Sealed plans are normally delivered within the days following the visit, depending on project complexity and current workload.
Who can carry out the work afterward?+
Installation work must be performed by a contractor holding the appropriate RBQ license, or under the supervision of a professional if the homeowner performs the work themselves in their single-family residence. We can recommend qualified contractors as needed.
What if the new beam requires a column in the basement?+
Our design systematically includes the complete load path down to the foundations. If a column or additional support is required at the lower level, we will design it and clearly indicate it on the plans.
Service areas
Our team of engineers serves the greater Quebec City region and the South Shore for your residential projects.
Need this service?
Our team based in the Quebec City and Lévis area is ready to assist you with your project.
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