Guides
Open Concept Renovation in Calgary
Updated 3 min read
The short answer
Open concept renovation in Calgary always requires a building permit if a wall is being removed, because even non-load-bearing walls affect fire separation and electrical routing. Load-bearing wall removal requires a structural engineer to specify the replacement beam, and the beam design must be approved by City of Calgary Planning Services before construction begins. Budget $15,000–$40,000+ depending on whether structural work, electrical relocation, flooring transitions, and HVAC modifications are involved.
The three types of wall removal
- Non-load-bearing partition wall
- A wall that carries only its own weight and does not support floor or roof loads above. Removing it is straightforward but still requires a building permit in Calgary. Cost: $1,500–$4,000 for demolition, drywall repair, electrical relocation, and flooring transition.
- Load-bearing wall
- A wall that carries floor or roof loads above and transfers them to the foundation. Removing it requires a structural engineer to design a replacement beam (steel LVL, or glulam). The engineer's drawings must be submitted with the permit application. Cost: $5,000–$20,000+ for engineering, beam, temporary shoring, and installation.
- Wall with mechanical services
- Any wall containing plumbing, HVAC ducting, or electrical panels adds complexity. Rerouting plumbing means opening the floor. Rerouting ductwork means modifying the ceiling or floor. Relocating an electrical panel requires a licensed electrician and a separate permit. Cost: add $3,000–$10,000 depending on what is in the wall.
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The permit process in Calgary
Every wall removal in Calgary requires a building permit. Here is the process.
- Hire a structural engineerFor load-bearing walls, a structural engineer must assess the load, design the replacement beam, and stamp the drawings. For non-load-bearing walls, an engineer is not required but is recommended. Cost: $500–$2,000 for engineering.
- Submit permit applicationApply to the City of Calgary Planning Services with the engineer's drawings, a site plan, and a description of the work. Include electrical and plumbing plans if services are being relocated. Permit fees: $200–$800 depending on scope.
- Schedule inspectionsCalgary requires inspections at framing (after beam installation), electrical rough-in, and final. Schedule framing inspection before closing the wall. Missing an inspection means tearing out drywall to re-inspect.
- Complete the workDemolition, beam installation, electrical relocation, drywall repair, flooring transition, trim restoration, painting. The beam is the critical path — everything else depends on it being in place.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to remove a load-bearing wall in Calgary?
- For a standard 3–4 metre interior load-bearing wall in a typical Calgary home, expect $8,000–$18,000 including structural engineering, building permit, temporary shoring, beam installation, drywall repair, and electrical relocation. Longer spans or walls with mechanical services cost more.
- Can I remove a wall without a permit in Calgary?
- No. The City of Calgary requires a building permit for any wall removal, even non-load-bearing partitions. The permit ensures the work is inspected and does not affect fire separation, structural integrity, or mechanical systems. Unpermitted work will be flagged on a home inspection.
- How long does an open concept renovation take?
- A straightforward non-load-bearing wall removal takes 1–2 weeks. A load-bearing wall replacement takes 2–4 weeks including engineering, permitting, shoring, beam installation and finishing. Walls with mechanical services add 1–2 weeks for rerouting.
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