GS Renovation removes load-bearing walls across Barking and Dagenham, from the Becontree estate's interwar semis to the modern developments around IG11. With over 30 years of structural experience in RM8, RM9 and RM10, we open up 1930s houses safely, size the steel properly and carry the loads above without drama.
Opening up 1930s semis across Barking and Dagenham
The borough's housing is dominated by 1930s semi-detached and interwar suburban homes, and the Becontree estate is one of the largest of its kind in the country. In these houses the wall between the front reception and rear dining room is very often load-bearing, carrying floor joists and sometimes the wall above, so we never open it up without a structural engineer first confirming exactly what it holds.
The engineer sizes a steel beam or RSJ for the span, and we install it on padstones that spread the load into the surrounding masonry. Before any brickwork comes down we set up temporary propping, take the wall out in controlled stages and lower the beam into place, so the floors and the room above are supported at every step of the work.
Building control sign-off in RM8, RM9 and RM10
Removing a load-bearing wall is structural work, so it falls under the Building Regulations rather than planning permission. Barking and Dagenham Council's building control team inspects the beam, the bearings and the padstones and issues the completion certificate you will need when you come to sell. We book the inspections and hand the paperwork over as part of the job.
In the borough's semis the flank wall your house shares with the neighbour is a party wall, so where a beam bears into it, or where you are near the boundary, the Party Wall Act can apply and notice must be served. We check the position early, prepare the notices where they are needed and keep the neighbours informed so the work stays straightforward.
- RSJ and steel beam installation
- Temporary propping and safe demolition
- Padstones and correct bearing at each end
- Knock-throughs between reception rooms
- Making good, plastering and finishing
The GS Renovation Difference in Barking and Dagenham
Barking and Dagenham homeowners choose GS Renovation because one accountable team handles the whole job: the engineer's beam calculations, any party wall notices, propping, safe staged demolition and building control sign-off. We work tidily in occupied 1930s homes, protect your floors and finishes, and back every job with more than 30 years of structural experience across the borough.
- Free, no-obligation quotations
- Over 30 years of experience
- Dedicated project management
- Fully insured and guaranteed work
- Building control and planning support
- Clean, tidy and reliable tradespeople