Finished open-plan kitchen with timber island following a Lochend renovation

Edinburgh Building & Renovation

Structural Alterations

Structural alterations, load-bearing wall removal and property layout changes for homes across Edinburgh, including structural openings, knock-throughs and steel beam installation.
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Structural alterations in edinburgh

Reimagining the Space Within Your Home

Many Edinburgh properties have the potential to accommodate a more open, practical layout without the need to extend. Whether you're looking to remove a dividing wall, connect your kitchen and living spaces or undertake a more substantial property reconfiguration, structural alterations can transform the way your home looks and functions.

At Johnstone Joinery & Building, we carry out structural alterations and wall removals across Edinburgh, working with existing properties of all ages. From forming new structural openings and installing steelwork to completing the surrounding joinery and finishing work, we can manage the building work as part of a carefully coordinated renovation.

What we do

Our Structural Alterations Service

01 Load-Bearing Wall Removal
02 Internal Wall Removal
03 Structural Openings
04 Knock-Throughs
05 Steel Beam & RSJ Installation
06 Property Layout Alterations
07 Open-Plan Reconfiguration
08 Making Good & Finishing

Our work

Completed Edinburgh renovation Projects

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Removing Load-Bearing Walls & Creating Structural Openings

Removing a load-bearing wall can completely change how a property works, but where that wall forms part of the building's structure, the alteration needs to be properly assessed, designed and carried out.

We undertake load-bearing wall removal and structural alterations across Edinburgh, from creating a wider opening between two existing rooms to reconfiguring several spaces as part of a full property renovation.

Before structural work begins, it is important to establish what the wall is supporting and how those loads will be transferred once the existing structure is altered. Depending on the project, a new structural opening may require a steel beam or other structural solution designed for the property.

The physical work can involve temporary support, careful removal of the existing masonry or timber structure, formation of the new opening and installation of the specified structural elements. Once the structural work is complete, we can continue with the surrounding joinery, plastering, flooring and other making-good work required to integrate the alteration into the finished room.

This means the project does not have to stop at the structural opening itself. Where required, we can carry the work through into the wider renovation so that the altered spaces feel like one considered interior rather than two rooms with a wall removed between them.

Structural alterations and temporary supports during a Lochend cottage renovation
Structural and internal renovation work in progress at a Newhaven property in Edinburgh

Structural Alterations in Edinburgh Tenements & Period Properties

Edinburgh's traditional properties can offer generous rooms and strong original features, but their historic layouts do not always suit the way people want to live today.

Structural alterations can be used to adapt an existing Edinburgh property without losing the character that made it worth renovating in the first place. A common aim is to improve the relationship between the kitchen, dining and living spaces, introduce more natural light or remove an awkward division between rooms.

In Edinburgh tenements and other period properties, however, the existing construction has to dictate the approach. Wall construction, floor and ceiling structures, neighbouring properties, existing services and original architectural features all need to be considered before an alteration is made.

Rather than treating wall removal as an isolated demolition job, we approach it as part of the wider layout. The position and width of the opening, how the adjoining rooms will be finished, flooring transitions, cornicing, skirtings, doors, kitchen layouts and lighting can all affect whether the finished alteration actually improves the property.

Our work across Edinburgh includes structural alterations within wider flat and full property renovations, allowing the structural work, joinery and final finishes to be coordinated as one project. Our Lochend cottage renovation is one example of how structural alterations can be used as part of a wider reconfiguration to create a more open-plan home.

Building Warrants & Structural Engineering

Structural alterations are not simply a matter of deciding where to remove a wall. The design, approvals and sequence of work need to be established before construction begins.

In Scotland, work that alters an element of a building's structure can require a building warrant. Removing or forming an opening in a load-bearing wall should therefore be considered as a structural project rather than straightforward internal demolition.

Depending on the proposed alteration, structural drawings and structural calculations may be required before construction begins. This can mean working with an architectural designer or architect and a structural engineer to establish the appropriate solution for the existing property.

Johnstone Joinery & Building carries out the building and renovation work. Where specialist architectural or structural engineering input is required, we work from the appropriate project information so that the structural work on site follows the agreed design.

If you are still at the early stages of planning a renovation, our complete guide to renovating an Edinburgh property covers the wider process and considerations involved before work begins. You can also read our Edinburgh Building Warrant Guide for more information about the local process.

If your drawings, structural information and approvals are already in place, we can review the proposed work and discuss the construction stage with you.

Beginning of structural wall removal during renovation of a cottage in Lochend, Edinburgh

Our property renovation process

How a Structural Alteration Project Works

01 — Initial Consultation & Site Assessment

We start with the property, the existing layout and what you want to change. This allows us to understand the proposed alteration, identify obvious practical considerations and establish what information is needed before the work can progress.

02 — Design & Structural Requirements

Where structural elements are being altered, the appropriate drawings, structural design and calculations need to be established before construction. We can work alongside the architect, architectural designer or structural engineer involved in the project so that the agreed design can be translated into the building work on site.

03 — Building Warrant & Preparation

Where a building warrant is required, the relevant approvals and project information need to be in place before the associated construction work begins. We plan the site work around those requirements before opening up the existing structure.

04 — Structural Works

The existing structure is carefully opened up and supported as required before the alteration is formed. Depending on the design, this may include removing masonry or timber construction, forming new bearings and installing structural steelwork or other specified support.

05 — Making Good & Finishing

Once the structural work is complete, we can make good the surrounding spaces and continue with the wider renovation. This may include plastering, joinery, flooring, kitchen installation, decoration and other finishing work required to turn the structural alteration into a completed living space.

Guides & advice

Planning Your Edinburgh Property Renovation

Frequently asked questions

Questions About Your Project

Can you remove a load-bearing wall in an Edinburgh property?

Potentially, yes. Whether and how a load-bearing wall can be altered depends on the existing structure and the proposed opening. The structural implications need to be assessed and an appropriate solution established before the wall is removed.

Where the work alters an element of structure, the project should also be checked for building warrant requirements before construction begins.

Do I need a structural engineer to remove a load-bearing wall?

Structural alterations can require specialist structural design. A structural engineer can assess how the existing building is supported and determine the structural solution required for the proposed alteration.

Depending on the project, this can include structural calculations and details for the steelwork or other support required.

Do I need a building warrant to remove a wall in Edinburgh?

It depends on the wall and the work involved. Removing a non-structural partition is different from altering an element of the building's structure. Where a load-bearing wall or other structural element is being altered, building warrant requirements should be established before work begins.

Our Edinburgh Building Warrant Guide explains the wider process in more detail.

How do you know if a wall is load-bearing?

It cannot always be determined reliably from appearance alone. The construction of the property, direction and support of joists, walls above and below, roof structure and previous alterations can all be relevant.

Where there is uncertainty, the structure should be properly assessed rather than assuming that a wall is non-load-bearing.

What is an RSJ and when is one required?

RSJ is a term commonly used for a structural steel beam. Steelwork can be used to support loads where existing structural support is being altered or removed.

Whether a steel beam is required, along with its size, position, bearings and specification, depends on the structural design for the individual project.

How long does structural wall removal take?

There is no single timescale because the scope can vary considerably. Creating one straightforward structural opening and carrying out a larger property reconfiguration are very different projects.

Drawings, structural information and any required approvals also need to be established before the relevant construction work begins. Once we understand the property and proposed alteration, we can provide a more realistic programme for the building work.

Can I create an open-plan kitchen and living space in an Edinburgh tenement?

In many properties, structural alterations can be used to create a more open relationship between kitchens, dining rooms and living spaces. The feasibility depends on the existing construction, proposed layout and the structural design and permissions required.

With an Edinburgh tenement, we consider the proposed opening as part of the wider property rather than treating wall removal as an isolated demolition job.

Can you complete the making-good work after a wall is removed?

Yes. Structural work is often only one stage of a wider renovation. Once the new opening has been formed, we can carry out the surrounding making-good and finishing work, including plastering, joinery, flooring and other associated renovation work.

This is particularly useful where a wall is being removed to create a new kitchen, dining or living space, as the structural alteration and finished interior can be coordinated as one project.

Martin Johnstone

Reviewed by

Martin Johnstone

Founder, Johnstone Joinery & Building

20 years of experience

Martin Johnstone is the founder of Johnstone Joinery & Building, an Edinburgh building and renovation company working across full property renovations, structural alterations, extensions and bespoke joinery. He works directly across projects from the initial assessment through to construction and completion.
About Martin Johnstone

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Explore Our Building & Renovation Services in Edinburgh

From full property renovations and structural alterations to kitchen and bathroom installations, loft conversions and bespoke joinery, explore our building services across Edinburgh. Every project is personally managed by Martin Johnstone, coordinating the specialist trades involved from start to finish.

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Planning Structural Alterations in Edinburgh?

Tell us about the changes you're considering for your property. We can discuss the proposed layout, assess the work involved and help you understand the next steps for your renovation.
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