Knock-throughs and wall removal in Eastbourne.
Open-plan kitchen diners and new openings, with the steelwork, structural calculations, building control and plastering handled by one local team.
Open-plan spaces and structural work by LJB.
Open up your home, safely and properly.
Taking out the wall between a kitchen and dining room is one of the most popular ways to make a home feel bigger and brighter. When the wall is load-bearing, it needs a correctly sized steel beam, proper support while the work is done and sign-off from building control.
LJB handles the whole job: arranging the structural engineer's calculations and building control, temporary support, removing the wall and fitting the steel, then plastering and making good so the room is ready to decorate. If a new kitchen is part of the plan, LJB also carries out kitchen renovations.
Structural calculations arranged
Building control handled
Plastering and making good
Knock-throughs and wall removal
One team for the steelwork, the paperwork and the finished room.
Built around your property and priorities.
Load-bearing wall removal with steel beams
New openings and widened doorways
Blocking up doorways and serving hatches
What the work involves.
Load-bearing walls
A structural engineer specifies the steel beam and supports, building control is notified, and the wall is removed with temporary propping in place.
Non-load-bearing walls
Partition walls are often simpler to remove, but the team still checks for services, structure and fire safety before work starts.
Blocking up openings
Old doorways and serving hatches filled in, plastered and finished with matching skirting or architrave so the opening disappears.
Finishing the room
Plastering, ceiling and floor repairs and joinery, leaving the new space ready for decorating, flooring or a new kitchen.
Clear steps before work begins.
Tell us about the wall
Send photos of the wall from both rooms and say what you want the space to become.
Survey and calculations
We visit, check the structure and arrange the engineer's calculations and building control.
Open up and finish
The wall comes out, the steel goes in and the room is plastered and made good.
Structural alterations LJB can discuss.
Kitchen diner knock-throughs
Load-bearing wall removal
Steel beam (RSJ) installation
Widening doorways
Blocking up doorways
Filling in serving hatches
Questions about knock-throughs and wall removal.
Do I need building regulations approval to remove a load-bearing wall?
Yes. Removing a load-bearing wall needs building regulations approval and a structural engineer's calculations for the new beam. LJB arranges both as part of the job, and building control issues a completion certificate when the work is signed off, which you will need if you sell the property.
How do I know if my wall is load-bearing?
It is not always obvious from the room itself. LJB checks the structure on a visit, including what sits above the wall, and the structural engineer confirms what is needed before any work starts.
Do I need planning permission to knock through?
Internal alterations do not usually need planning permission, but listed buildings need consent. If the beam bears on a wall shared with a neighbour, the Party Wall Act may also apply. LJB can talk you through what applies to your property.
Can you block up an old doorway or serving hatch?
Yes. LJB can fill in old doorways and serving hatches, plaster the wall and fit matching skirting or architrave so the opening disappears.
Can you fit the new kitchen as well?
Yes. LJB also carries out kitchen renovations, so opening up the room and fitting the new kitchen can be planned as one project.
Knock-throughs in Eastbourne and nearby East Sussex areas.
LJB works with homeowners, landlords and local organisations across Eastbourne and the surrounding East Sussex area. If the property is outside the immediate area, send the address and the team can confirm whether the work can be discussed.
Helpful details to include
- Photos of the wall from both sides and the ceiling above
- Roughly how wide the wall is
- Whether the home is detached, semi-detached or terraced
- Any existing drawings or plans
Useful services for the same type of project.
Plastering
Plastering, surface preparation and repair work that leaves rooms ready to decorate.
View service
Home extensions
More space for growing families, open-plan kitchen diners and better links to the garden.
View serviceWant to talk through opening up your home?
Call 01323 639917 or send a quick enquiry with the property location, what you need and any photos you already have.