How to Open Up Your Floor Plan by Removing Walls
- Complete Quality Contracting
- Sep 22
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 23
In many older homes — especially in places like Simcoe County — rooms are divided by walls that make the space feel smaller and more closed in. One of the most effective ways to modernize your home and improve its flow is by removing interior walls to create an open-concept floor plan.
Whether you’re looking to combine your kitchen and living room, expand your dining area, or simply let in more natural light, wall removal can completely transform your home — if done correctly.
Here’s what you need to know before picking up a sledgehammer.
Why Open Floor Plans Are So Popular
Open-concept layouts have remained a top trend for years — and for good reason. Removing walls can:
Make your home feel larger and brighter
Improve the flow and functionality of your living space
Encourage more interaction between family members
Increase your home’s resale value
But not every wall is safe to remove, and not every space is a good candidate without some planning.
Step 1: Identify Which Walls Can Be Removed
The first step is determining which walls are structural. In most homes, load-bearing walls support the weight of the floors or roof above. Removing them without proper reinforcement can seriously compromise your home’s safety.
Load-bearing vs. Non-load-bearing:
Non-load-bearing walls (also called partition walls) are usually safe to remove.
Load-bearing walls require a structural replacement — typically a beam or engineered support.
A professional contractor or structural engineer can help you identify which is which.
Step 2: Consider What’s Inside the Wall
Interior walls often contain more than just framing. Before removal, you’ll need to check for:
Electrical wiring
Plumbing pipes
HVAC ducts
Gas lines
All of these may need to be rerouted, which adds to the project’s complexity and cost. An experienced renovation team like Complete Quality Contracting can inspect and plan accordingly.
Step 3: Plan for Structural Support
If the wall you want to remove is load-bearing, it’s not a dealbreaker — but it’s not a DIY job either.
You’ll likely need:
A structural beam (wood, steel, or engineered LVL) to carry the load
Temporary supports during construction
Permits and inspections to ensure safety and compliance with local building codes
Done properly, the new beam can often be hidden in the ceiling or left exposed for a modern look.
Step 4: Design the New Space
Once the wall is gone, you’ll want to make sure the space feels cohesive and functional.
Here are a few things to consider:
Flooring: Will you need to patch or replace flooring where the wall was?
Lighting: Open spaces benefit from layered lighting — recessed, pendant, and natural light.
Furniture layout: An open room should still have zones (kitchen, dining, lounging) to avoid feeling too empty or undefined.
Ceiling transitions: Removing walls can expose differences in ceiling texture or height that may need to be evened out.
Step 5: Understand the Cost
Costs vary depending on whether the wall is structural, what's inside it, and how much finishing work is needed afterward. Here's a general idea:
Non-load-bearing wall removal: $1,500–$3,000
Load-bearing wall removal: $5,000–$15,000+(including engineering, permits, structural beam, and refinishing)
We always recommend getting a professional quote, as no two homes are the same.
Step 6: Get the Right Permits
In Ontario, you typically need a building permit to remove a load-bearing wall or make structural changes. Even for non-structural wall removal, it’s smart to check with your local municipality or hire a contractor familiar with Simcoe County’s building codes.
Skipping permits can lead to fines, safety risks, and issues if you ever sell your home.
Why Hire a Professional?
While knocking down a wall might seem simple, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes. From identifying load-bearing structures to coordinating electricians, plumbers, and city inspectors, wall removal projects require experience and precision.
At Complete Quality Contracting, we’ve helped countless Simcoe County homeowners open up their homes safely and beautifully. Our team handles everything — planning, engineering, permits, and flawless execution — so you can enjoy your new space with peace of mind.
Ready to Open Up Your Space?
If you're thinking about removing a wall to create an open-concept layout, get in touch with Complete Quality Contracting. We’ll walk you through your options and help turn your vision into reality — safely, efficiently, and to code.
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