Open-Concept Kitchen Conversions & Wall Removal in NH

Removing a wall to create an open-concept kitchen dictates a complete structural overhaul. We do not apply cosmetic band-aids or reface old cabinetry. We tear down to the studs, safely remove load-bearing walls, install engineered LVL beams, and build completely new, highly functional kitchen layouts. Every structural conversion is fully self-performed and owner-led.

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The Structural Kitchen Conversion Process

Converting a segmented, closed-off floor plan into an open concept kitchen requires more than demolition. When you remove a wall, you remove the structural support for the floor or roof above it, as well as the cavities hiding your home’s essential mechanicals.

As a specialized structural contractor, we manage the entire open concept conversion in New Hampshire from demolition to final trim. We handle temporary shoring, permanent beam integration, subfloor leveling, and mechanical rerouting. Once the structural framing is locked in, we install entirely new custom or semi-custom kitchen cabinets to maximize your newly expanded footprint.

Finish kitchen remodel showing new opening to make open concept kitchen.

Load-Bearing Wall Removal & LVL Beam Installation

Temporary Shoring Walls

Before any demolition begins, we construct temporary load-bearing walls on both sides of the existing partition to support the structural weight of the second floor or roof.

Engineered LVL Beams

We install Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) or steel flitch beams engineered for the exact span and weight requirements of your home.

Flush vs. Drop Beams

Depending on your ceiling joists and budget, we can install a “drop beam” (visible below the ceiling) or a “flush beam” (recessed into the ceiling cavity for a flat finish).

Point Loads & Footings

The weight transferred by the new beam must travel straight down. We install solid wood columns and, if necessary, pour new concrete footings in your basement to support the load.

Identifying a Load-Bearing Wall

Not every wall is load-bearing, but assuming a wall is just a partition is a dangerous mistake. While a definitive assessment requires an on-site evaluation by a structural contractor, there are key indicators that a wall is carrying weight:

Joist Orientation

Joists running perpendicular to the wall below indicate a direct structural load. This cross-directional framing supports floor spans.

Stacked Walls

Interior partitions sitting directly over a main basement carrying beam or heavy steel lally columns are actively holding weight from the floors above.

Exterior Walls

All exterior walls carry heavy roof spans and seasonal snow loads. Expanding these walls requires installing major engineered headers.

Spliced Joists

When floor joists meet and physically overlap directly on top of a wall’s top plate, that specific partition is actively supporting upper levels.

Rerouting Mechanicals After Wall Removal

Interior kitchen walls serve as the primary highway for your home’s mechanical systems. When executing a kitchen wall removal, relocating these hidden systems is often the most complex phase of the project.

  • Electrical: Switches, outlets, and main wire runs routed through the demolished wall must be relocated. We often redirect wiring through the floor joists to supply power to new custom kitchen islands.
  • Plumbing: Sink vents, drain pipes, and second-floor bathroom plumbing stacks commonly run through interior kitchen walls. We reroute these stacks through adjacent walls or exterior cavities to maintain proper venting and drainage codes.
  • HVAC Returns & Supplies: Ductwork hidden in the partition wall will be rerouted into the floor system or ceiling joists to ensure uninterrupted airflow to the rest of the house.
Exposed electrical and copper plumbing in kitchen rebuild.

Structural Engineering & Permitting Requirements

Removing load-bearing walls triggers strict building codes. A structural failure due to unpermitted work not only threatens your safety but will severely impact your ability to sell or insure the home.

We handle the entire permitting process for open concept conversions in New Hampshire. When required, we partner with licensed structural engineers to size the exact beam dimensions, column widths, and concrete footing requirements. We submit full framing plans to your local building inspector, ensuring every phase of the load-bearing wall removal passes municipal inspection before drywall is hung.

Wall Removal Timelines & Project Scope

The cost to open up a kitchen and the timeline to complete it depend entirely on the structural load and the mechanicals hidden inside the wall.

Removing a non-load-bearing partition wall with minimal electrical wiring can be framed and patched in a matter of days. Conversely, removing a 20-foot load-bearing wall, recessing a flush-mount LVL beam into the ceiling joists, rerouting a second-floor plumbing stack, and pouring new basement footings is a major structural phase that anchors a multi-week, full-scale kitchen remodel.

Because removing walls drastically alters your floor plan, this service is tied directly to full kitchen renovations involving new custom cabinetry and revised floor layouts.

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Before & After Structural Remodels

Exposed framing during a load-bearing kitchen wall removal project in New Hampshire, showing temporary site prep and a partially demolished partition.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Removing a wall completely changes the spatial layout of your kitchen. Existing cabinets will not fit the new footprint. We tear down to the studs and install brand new custom or semi-custom cabinetry designed specifically for your new open-concept layout.

Yes. A flush beam requires cutting the existing ceiling joists and hanging them directly off the side of the new LVL beam using metal joist hangers. This requires significantly more labor and temporary shoring than a drop beam, which simply sits underneath the existing joists.

Yes, but masonry chimneys are self-supporting and cannot be removed simply by adding a wood beam. The entire chimney stack must be dismantled from the roof down to the foundation, which adds considerable labor and disposal scope to the project.

Yes. There will be a bare subfloor gap where the wall bottom plate used to sit. In an open-concept conversion, you must plan to lace in new hardwood or install entirely new flooring across the combined rooms for a seamless finish.

Greater Seacoast & Southern NH Service Area

We execute load-bearing wall removals and complete open-concept kitchen renovations across Southern and Central New Hampshire. Our core service area includes Deerfield, Hooksett, Candia, Nottingham, Kensington, Bedford, and the surrounding Greater Seacoast region.

View Our Full NH Service Area