Load Bearing Wall Removal Engineer Near Me in Torrance: Open Concept Conversion Guide for 2026

*Updated: February 2026*

# Load Bearing Wall Removal Engineer Near Me in Torrance: Open Concept Conversion Guide for 2026

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Load-bearing wall removal engineering is the structural engineering process of analyzing an existing wall's structural function, designing a replacement system that carries the same loads through an alternative path, and producing permitted construction documents that guide safe wall removal and beam installation. This is one of the most common residential structural engineering services in Southern California, driven by homeowner demand for open floor plans, modern kitchens, and connected living spaces.

A load bearing wall removal engineer near me in Torrance provides:

**Structural Analysis of Existing Conditions.** Before removing any wall, the engineer must determine what loads the wall carries. A bearing wall supports gravity loads from above — roof rafters, ceiling joists, second-floor joists, and any point loads from posts or headers above. The engineer traces the load path from the roof down through the wall being removed, through the foundation, and into the soil. In Torrance's typical single-story tract homes, a central bearing wall commonly carries 50% of the roof load spanning from exterior wall to exterior wall.

**Replacement Beam Design.** The primary engineering task is designing a beam (header) that spans the opening created by wall removal and transfers all previously supported loads to columns at each end. Beam sizing depends on span length, tributary load width, material properties, and deflection limits. The engineer selects from engineered lumber products (LVL, PSL, glulam), steel wide-flange sections, or steel tube sections based on load demands, span, and available depth.

**Column and Foundation Design.** The replacement beam concentrates loads at its bearing points — the columns at each end. These concentrated loads must transfer through the column, through the floor framing (if applicable), and into the foundation. Many Torrance homes require new footings beneath beam bearing points because existing foundation elements were not designed for concentrated loads.

**Lateral System Evaluation.** Removing a bearing wall also removes a potential shear wall — a wall that resists horizontal earthquake and wind forces. The engineer evaluates whether the wall being removed contributes to the home's lateral force resisting system and, if so, designs compensating shear walls or moment frames elsewhere in the structure.

For detailed information on our wall removal services, visit our load-bearing wall removal engineering page.

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Torrance experienced massive residential development during the 1950s and 1960s, when tract home builders — including the prominent Presley Development Company and other South Bay developers — constructed thousands of single-story ranch homes and split-level residences across neighborhoods like Southwood, Riviera Village area, Seaside, and North Torrance. These mid-century Torrance homes share common structural characteristics that make them excellent candidates for open concept conversion:

**Central Bearing Wall Configuration.** Most Torrance tract homes from this era use a simple structural layout: two parallel exterior bearing walls (front and back) with one or two interior bearing walls running the length of the house. The roof structure — typically 2x6 or 2x8 rafters at 16-24 inches on center — spans from exterior wall to interior bearing wall, with a maximum span of 12-16 feet in each direction. Removing the central bearing wall and installing a single beam spanning the full width of the house creates dramatic open living areas.

**Manageable Span Lengths.** Torrance tract homes typically range from 24-36 feet wide, meaning replacement beams for central wall removal span 10-18 feet after accounting for bearing points. These spans are well within the capacity of engineered lumber products (up to 24-foot LVL beams) and standard steel sections, keeping material costs reasonable.

**Single-Story Simplicity.** The majority of original Torrance tract homes are single-story, meaning the bearing wall supports only roof loads — not additional floor loads from above. This reduces the replacement beam size and simplifies the engineering analysis compared to multi-story wall removal projects.

**Consistent Construction Quality.** Tract home construction in Torrance followed standardized building practices with consistent lumber grades, framing dimensions, and foundation details. This predictability allows structural engineers to efficiently analyze existing conditions and design replacement systems.

Torrance homeowners are investing heavily in home renovations that modernize mid-century floor plans. The South Bay real estate market rewards open concept layouts — a Torrance home with an updated open kitchen-living-dining plan commands a 10-15% premium over comparable properties with original compartmentalized layouts. Common Torrance wall removal projects include:

The City of Torrance Building Division, located at 3031 Torrance Boulevard, requires a building permit for any load-bearing wall removal. The permit application must include PE-stamped structural plans showing:

The Torrance Building Division plan check process for residential wall removal projects typically takes 2-4 weeks. AAA Engineering Design's familiarity with Torrance's plan check standards and review expectations helps minimize correction cycles and accelerate permit approval.

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For shorter spans (up to 20 feet) with moderate loads, engineered lumber beams provide an efficient and cost-effective solution for Torrance wall removals. Engineered lumber products include:

**Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL).** Multiple layers of thin veneer bonded together under heat and pressure. LVL beams offer consistent strength properties, no knots or defects, and dimensional stability. Available in standard widths of 1.75 inches (single ply) stacked to 3.5, 5.25, or 7 inches for built-up beams. Common LVL beam depth for Torrance homes: 9.25-16 inches.

**Parallel Strand Lumber (PSL).** Long wood strands bonded under pressure, producing beams with excellent load-carrying capacity. PSL beams (brand name Parallam) are available in widths up to 7 inches and depths up to 18 inches. PSL beams offer higher allowable stresses than LVL for equivalent sizes.

**Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam).** Layers of dimensional lumber bonded together, available in a wide range of sizes including custom dimensions. Glulam beams offer an attractive exposed finish option for Torrance homeowners who want the replacement beam visible as a design element.

Engineered lumber beam costs for Torrance wall removals: $500-$3,000 for the beam material, depending on size and span.

For longer spans (15-30+ feet) or heavy loads (two-story construction, concentrated point loads), steel wide-flange beams provide the highest strength-to-depth ratio. Steel beams are the standard solution for Torrance homes where:

Common steel beam sizes for Torrance residential wall removal: W8x31 through W14x48, with beam weights ranging from 31-48 pounds per linear foot. Steel beam costs: $1,500-$5,000 for material and fabrication.

When a load-bearing wall also serves as a shear wall — resisting lateral earthquake forces — removing it requires replacing both the gravity load path and the lateral resistance. A steel moment frame provides both functions in a single system: rigid beam-to-column connections resist lateral forces through frame action while the beam carries gravity loads.

Steel moment frames in Torrance homes are designed per AISC 341 (Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings) and the 2022 California Building Code. The rigid connections — either welded flanges or bolted end plates — require special inspection during construction per CBC Chapter 17.

Moment frame solutions are common in Torrance homes where:

Many Torrance homeowners prefer a flush beam — a beam installed within the ceiling plane rather than below it — to maintain continuous flat ceilings after wall removal. Flush beam installation requires:

Flush beams are more complex to install than drop beams and may require deeper (more expensive) beam sections to fit within limited joist depth. Engineering fees for flush beam designs are typically 10-20% higher than drop beam designs due to additional detailing.

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| Component | Typical Cost Range | |---|---| | Structural Engineering (PE-stamped plans) | $1,500 - $5,000 | | Building Permit (Torrance) | $500 - $1,500 | | Demolition and Shoring | $1,000 - $3,000 | | Beam Material (engineered lumber) | $500 - $3,000 | | Beam Material (steel) | $1,500 - $5,000 | | Column Installation | $800 - $2,500 | | New Footing (if required) | $1,500 - $4,000 | | Framing and Patching | $2,000 - $5,000 | | Drywall, Texture, and Paint | $1,500 - $4,000 | | Total Project Cost | $8,000 - $25,000 |

These costs represent 2026 market rates for load-bearing wall removal projects in Torrance. Costs vary based on wall length, number of bearing points, beam material, foundation conditions, and finish requirements. Two-story homes with second-floor loads above the wall being removed cost 30-50% more than single-story projects due to larger beam sizes and additional temporary shoring.

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Call AAA Engineering Design at (949) 981-4448 for a same-day phone consultation. Describe your Torrance wall removal project — which wall you want to remove, the wall's location in the house, and your design goals. We discuss preliminary feasibility, estimated costs, and timeline. Photos of the wall and any available original house plans accelerate the consultation.

Our licensed PE visits your Torrance home to inspect the wall, measure framing dimensions, identify load paths, assess foundation conditions, and document the existing lateral system. We verify whether the wall is load-bearing, what loads it carries, and whether it contributes to the home's earthquake resistance.

Using field data and applicable building codes, our engineers produce PE-stamped structural plans including beam sizing calculations, column and connection details, foundation modifications, lateral analysis, and construction sequence notes.

We prepare your permit application package for the Torrance Building Division at 3031 Torrance Boulevard.

The Torrance Building Division reviews structural plans, typically completing residential plan check in 2-4 weeks. Our engineers respond to any plan check comments promptly. Most wall removal projects clear Torrance plan check in one review cycle when the initial submittal is thorough and code-compliant.

After permit issuance, your contractor executes the wall removal following the construction sequence specified in our plans:

Our engineers are available for field questions during construction and recommend an observation visit before temporary shoring is removed.

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Load-bearing wall removal in Torrance must comply with the 2022 CBC/CRC structural provisions:

The Torrance Building Division applies the following local requirements to wall removal projects:

Walls running perpendicular to ceiling joists or roof rafters, walls directly below the roof ridge line, and all exterior walls are typically load-bearing. Walls running parallel to joists may be non-bearing but require professional verification. Never assume a wall is non-bearing without engineering assessment — removing a load-bearing wall without proper analysis causes structural failure.

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Choose a structural engineer with extensive residential experience — specifically with wall removal and beam design projects in Southern California homes. An engineer who primarily designs commercial buildings or industrial structures may not have the residential framing expertise needed for efficient Torrance home projects.

The Torrance Building Division has specific plan check expectations and submittal requirements. An engineer who has successfully permitted wall removal projects through Torrance's review process understands the documentation standards and can deliver plans that pass review efficiently.

Structural engineering fees for wall removal should be clearly defined before work begins. AAA Engineering Design provides fixed-fee proposals that specify scope, deliverables, and timeline — no hourly billing surprises. Typical engineering fees for Torrance wall removals: $1,500-$5,000 depending on complexity.

Questions arise during construction — framing conditions differ from field observations, contractors need connection clarifications, or inspectors request additional information. Choose an engineer who remains available during the construction phase and responds promptly to field questions.

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AAA Engineering Design provides load-bearing wall removal engineering throughout Torrance and the South Bay:

Our engineers serve the entire South Bay region and maintain familiarity with building departments across these jurisdictions. Whether your Torrance home is a 1,200 square foot Southwood ranch or a 2,400 square foot Riviera area split-level, AAA Engineering Design delivers precise wall removal engineering that passes Torrance plan check and creates the open living space you envision.

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**500+ Residential Projects Completed.** Our extensive portfolio includes hundreds of wall removal, beam design, and home renovation structural projects across Southern California. We understand the specific framing patterns and foundation details found in Torrance's mid-century housing stock.

**20+ Years of Licensed Practice.** Two decades of continuous residential structural engineering practice in Southern California provides the experience base to handle every wall removal scenario efficiently — from simple single-span headers to complex multi-point load redistribution.

**California PE-Licensed Engineers.** Every set of structural plans carries a current California Professional Engineer stamp, accepted by the Torrance Building Division and all South Bay jurisdictions.

**Fixed-Fee Pricing.** We provide clear, fixed-fee proposals for wall removal engineering so you know the exact cost before we begin. No hourly billing, no surprise charges, no scope creep fees.

**Fast Turnaround.** Standard turnaround for Torrance wall removal engineering: 2-3 weeks from site visit to completed PE-stamped plans. Expedited service available for time-sensitive projects.

**Direct PE Access.** You work directly with the licensed Professional Engineer designing your project — not a project manager or technician. This direct communication ensures accurate designs and efficient problem-solving throughout your Torrance wall removal project.

Call (949) 981-4448 today for a same-day consultation on your Torrance load-bearing wall removal project.

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A wall is load-bearing if it supports structural loads from above — roof rafters, ceiling joists, or second-floor framing. In typical Torrance mid-century homes, walls running perpendicular to the roof ridge and located near the center of the house are almost always load-bearing. Walls running parallel to the ridge may or may not be bearing. A licensed structural engineer verifies bearing status through site inspection and framing analysis. Never remove a wall without professional assessment.

Total project cost for load-bearing wall removal in Torrance typically ranges from $8,000-$25,000, including structural engineering ($1,500-$5,000), permits ($500-$1,500), and construction ($5,000-$18,000). Single-story homes with roof-only loads cost less than two-story homes with floor loads above. Steel beams cost more than engineered lumber but allow longer spans and shallower depth.

Yes. The Torrance Building Division requires a building permit for all load-bearing wall removals. The permit application must include PE-stamped structural plans demonstrating that the replacement beam, columns, and connections adequately support all previously carried loads. Removing a load-bearing wall without a permit is a code violation that can result in fines, stop-work orders, and mandatory remediation.

From initial consultation to construction completion, a typical Torrance wall removal project takes 8-12 weeks. This includes 2-3 weeks for engineering design, 2-4 weeks for Torrance Building Division plan check, and 1-2 weeks for construction. The structural work itself — shoring, demolition, beam installation, and framing — typically takes 3-5 days of active construction.

In most Torrance homes, yes — the wall between the kitchen and living room can be removed and replaced with a beam. This is the most popular wall removal project in Torrance, creating an open kitchen-living-dining great room from previously separate spaces. The structural engineer designs a replacement beam and columns that carry all roof loads previously supported by the wall. Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC within the wall must be rerouted as part of the project.

Beam size depends on span length, tributary load width, load type (roof only vs. roof plus floor), and material selection. For a typical Torrance single-story home with a 12-foot span supporting roof loads, a common solution is a 3-ply 1.75x11.875 LVL beam or a W8x31 steel beam. For a 16-foot span, a 5.25x14 PSL beam or a W10x33 steel beam is typical. Only a licensed structural engineer can determine the correct beam size for your specific conditions.

It depends on whether the wall being removed serves as a shear wall (lateral force resistance). If the wall contributes to your Torrance home's seismic bracing system, the engineer must design compensating shear walls or a moment frame to replace the lost lateral resistance. This is why a structural engineering analysis is mandatory — the engineer evaluates both gravity loads and lateral system impacts before any wall comes down.

Yes. Partial wall removal — leaving a section of wall at one or both ends — reduces beam span length and may eliminate the need for new footings at bearing points. Many Torrance homeowners opt for partial removal to create a wide pass-through or peninsula counter while retaining some wall area for cabinets, electrical outlets, or lateral bracing.

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Open concept living is no longer a luxury — it is the standard that Torrance homebuyers and homeowners expect. Whether you are converting a 1960s Southwood ranch into a modern entertainer's home, opening up a cramped galley kitchen in North Torrance, or creating a spacious master suite in a Riviera area split-level, AAA Engineering Design provides the PE-licensed structural engineering that makes safe wall removal possible.

Our engineers understand Torrance's mid-century housing stock, the Torrance Building Division's permit requirements, and the construction practices that South Bay contractors rely on. We deliver precise beam designs, thorough structural plans, and responsive construction support that keeps your Torrance wall removal project on schedule and on budget.

**Call (949) 981-4448 today** for a same-day consultation. Tell us which wall you want to remove, and we will engineer the solution that opens up your Torrance home safely and beautifully.