Michigan structural planning guide
Removing a Load-Bearing Wall
Organize the engineer, permit, temporary-support, utility, inspection, and contractor questions before anyone opens the wall. This guide does not identify bearing walls or size beams.
Project triage
Map the coordination—before demolition.
Select every condition that might apply. The result is a planning prompt, not a structural determination.
Michigan permit starting point
Structural removal is not an ordinary repair.
Confirm jurisdiction
Michigan LARA directs applicants to the appropriate enforcing agency and recommends checking its regularly updated statewide jurisdiction list. That agency may be the city, township, county, or state.
Expect a building-permit conversation
LARA states that the ordinary-repair permit exception does not include cutting away a wall or removing or cutting a structural beam or bearing support.
Ask what documents are required
Construction documents normally accompany a permit application, although the building official determines what is required for the specific project. Ask whether signed or sealed engineering is required.
Separate the trades
If wiring, plumbing, gas, ducts, or ventilation must move, ask the enforcing agency which additional permits and rough inspections apply before concealment.
Safer project sequence
A practical path from idea to final approval.
Verify the wall and load path
Have the existing framing, loads above, and support below evaluated before pricing a beam solution.
Create coordinated documents
Resolve opening width, beam and post concept, foundation support, connections, utilities, finishes, and temporary conditions.
Confirm permits and plan review
Submit to the correct enforcing agency and address building and trade review comments before work begins.
Compare complete bids
Make engineering, temporary support, demolition, beam and posts, foundation work, utility relocation, finishes, permits, inspections, and cleanup visible.
Inspect before concealment
Follow the approved inspection sequence and do not cover structural connections or relocated trades before required approvals.
Close the record
Keep approved drawings, revisions, inspection results, final approval, warranties, invoices, and photos with the property file.
Bid-ready questions
Ask every contractor the same questions.
- Who provides the structural evaluation and final design, and who coordinates revisions?
- What temporary support, protection, and occupied-home controls are included?
- How are the beam, posts, connections, and foundation support described in the price?
- Which electrical, plumbing, gas, HVAC, drywall, trim, flooring, and painting repairs are included?
- Who applies for each permit, schedules inspections, and supplies approved closeout records?
- Which unknown conditions use allowances or unit prices, and who must approve a change order?
Important limitation