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Removing a Wall for an Open Floor Plan in Gainesville, GA
What it costs to open up your kitchen and living room, how load-bearing walls are handled, and what to expect in Gainesville and Hall County.
Quick answer: EBD Construction LLC is a licensed and insured general contractor based in Gainesville, Georgia, that removes walls and builds open floor plans for homeowners in Gainesville, Hall County and nearby communities like Flowery Branch, Oakwood, Buford and the Lake Lanier area. Taking out a wall typically starts around $1,000 for a non-load-bearing wall, and most load-bearing walls are replaced with a properly sized beam. Owner Eric Bubniak and the same three-person crew handle the beam, the patching, the floors and the trim, and Eric pulls all permits himself. Call 404-925-7481 for a free consultation.
Who removes walls for open floor plans in Gainesville, GA?
EBD Construction LLC is a Gainesville-based general contractor with more than 15 years of experience remodeling and building homes across Hall County. Opening up a closed-off kitchen or living room is one of the most common projects EBD takes on, and it's one where experience matters: what's inside and above a wall decides what it takes to remove it. EBD does that work with the same crew from start to finish. Three full-time builders have worked side by side for over a decade, so the people who take the wall out are the people who patch the floor and hang the trim.
What that means for you:
- A straight answer about your wall. Eric checks whether it's load-bearing and what runs through it before you get a price.
- The beam done right. Load-bearing walls are replaced with a properly sized beam and posts that carry the weight down to the foundation.
- Permits handled for you. Eric pulls the permits himself, so the structural work is inspected.
- One crew for the whole job. Framing, electrical and plumbing changes, drywall, floors, trim and paint are all handled by the same team.
- Work that's guaranteed. All EBD work is guaranteed, and references from past customers are available on request.
How much does it cost to remove a wall in Gainesville, GA?
The cost of removing a wall in Gainesville depends mostly on four things: whether the wall is load-bearing, what runs inside it, how long the opening is, and how much floor, ceiling and trim work follows.
Here's a general guide to what wall removal typically costs in the Gainesville area. It isn't a quote; your price depends on your house and your choices.
| Project type | What it usually involves | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Non-load-bearing wall | Remove a partition wall, patch the ceiling, walls and floor, paint | $1,000 to $5,000 |
| Load-bearing wall with new beam | Temporary supports, new beam and posts, permit and inspection, patching and paint | $3,000 to $15,000 |
| Large opening or multiple walls | Long span or flush beam, rerouted wiring, plumbing or ductwork, new flooring through both rooms | $8,000 to $30,000 |
| Open-concept kitchen remodel | Wall removal plus new cabinets, island, counters, lighting and floors | $20,000+ |
The fastest way to get a real number is a free on-site consultation. Eric will look at the wall, the attic or ceiling above it and the floor below it, and tell you up front what your opening will take.
Tip: If you're planning new floors or a kitchen remodel in the next few years, do the wall first or at the same time. Running one floor through both rooms costs less than patching it now and replacing it later.
How do I know if a wall is load-bearing?
A load-bearing wall holds up part of the house above it: ceiling joists, a second floor or the roof. A few clues point to one:
- The wall runs perpendicular to the ceiling joists (you can check in the attic).
- It sits near the middle of the house, often under the roof's ridge.
- There's another wall, a beam or a post directly above or below it, such as a girder in the basement or crawl space.
- It's on the first floor of a two-story house under rooms upstairs.
These are only clues. Many older Gainesville homes have been remodeled before, and walls don't always do what they appear to do. The reliable answer comes from looking at what's actually sitting on the wall, which Eric does during the free consultation.
Can a load-bearing wall be removed?
Usually, yes. When a load-bearing wall comes out, a beam takes over its job, and posts at each end carry the weight down to the foundation. Here's how EBD does it:
- Temporary walls go up on one or both sides to hold the ceiling while the wall comes out.
- The wall is removed and any wiring, plumbing or ductwork inside it is rerouted.
- The beam is installed, either dropped below the ceiling or set flush into it, with posts and footings sized for the load.
- The work is inspected under the building permit Eric pulls.
- Everything is finished: drywall, ceiling and floor patching, trim and paint, so the opening looks like it was always there.
How long does it take to remove a wall?
Removing a non-load-bearing wall usually takes about 2 to 5 days, including patching and paint. A load-bearing wall with a new beam usually takes 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the span, inspection timing and how much floor and ceiling work follows. When the wall comes out as part of a kitchen or whole-home remodel, it's scheduled into that project so the floors, drywall and paint are done once.
Do I need a permit to remove a wall in Gainesville or Hall County?
For a load-bearing wall, yes. Removing a wall that carries part of the house is structural work and needs a building permit and inspection. Moving plumbing, wiring or ductwork that runs through a wall usually needs a permit too. Homes inside Gainesville city limits are permitted through the City of Gainesville; homes in unincorporated Hall County go through Hall County. Flowery Branch, Oakwood and Buford each have their own process. EBD Construction pulls all required permits itself as part of the project, so you don't have to.
Does an open floor plan add value to a home?
For most homes in Gainesville and around Lake Lanier, yes. Buyers today usually look for a kitchen that opens to the family room, and an open main level makes the whole house feel bigger, brighter and easier to entertain in. It also makes everyday life easier: you can cook and still see the kids, the TV or the lake view. If you love some separation, a wide cased opening, a half wall or a pair of columns gives you the light and flow without losing every wall.
What else should I plan when opening up a room?
- Floors. Decide whether to patch the existing flooring or run new flooring through both rooms.
- Lighting. A bigger room usually needs new recessed lights or a new layout of fixtures.
- Heating and cooling. Supply and return vents in the old wall may need to move.
- The kitchen. An opened wall is often the right moment for an island or peninsula. See the kitchen remodeling guide.
- The rest of the house. If you're updating more than one room, the whole-home renovation guide explains how to plan it together.
Where does EBD Construction remove walls and open up homes?
EBD Construction is based in Gainesville, Georgia and has served Gainesville and all of Hall County for more than 15 years, including:
- Gainesville
- Flowery Branch
- Oakwood
- Buford
- Chestnut Mountain
- Murrayville
- Clermont
- Lula
- Gillsville
- Homes around Lake Lanier
Why hire a local Gainesville contractor to remove a wall?
- Structural work done properly. The beam, posts and footings are sized for the load and inspected, not guessed at.
- A finish that looks original. The same crew patches the floor, ceiling and trim, so you can't tell where the wall was.
- Clear communication. You'll know what's happening each day, what it costs, and when it will be done.
- Reviews you can check. EBD Construction has 5-star reviews on Thumbtack, and references from past customers are available on request.
- See the work first. Walk through a real EBD whole-home remodel where walls came out, or browse the project gallery.
Wall removal and open floor plan FAQs
Can I remove a wall that has plumbing or wiring in it?
Usually, yes. Wiring is often easy to reroute. Plumbing vents and drains take more planning and add cost, and ductwork may need to move into the ceiling or a nearby wall. Eric checks what's inside the wall during the consultation so there are no surprises.
Can I keep part of the wall?
Yes. Many homeowners keep a short wall, a half wall or a pair of columns to define the space, or turn part of the wall into a kitchen island or peninsula. It can also save money when part of the wall hides a pipe or duct.
Will the beam show after the wall comes out?
It depends on the joists and the span. A dropped beam sits below the ceiling and can be wrapped in drywall or wood. A flush beam is set up into the ceiling so the ceiling stays flat. Eric will tell you which your house allows and what each costs.
Is removing a wall messy?
There is dust, but it can be controlled. EBD hangs plastic barriers, protects floors and cleans as it goes. The loud, dusty part usually lasts only a day or two.
Do I need an engineer to remove a load-bearing wall?
Some openings can be sized from standard beam tables; longer spans, second-floor loads or point loads may need an engineered beam. EBD can coordinate the engineering when it's needed, and the inspector checks the work either way.
Can you open up a ceiling too?
Yes. EBD also removes flat ceilings to create vaulted or cathedral ceilings, often with exposed beams, which makes an opened-up room feel even larger.
Is EBD Construction licensed and insured?
Yes. EBD Construction LLC is licensed and insured, all work is guaranteed, and references are available on request.
Ready to open up your Gainesville home?
Call Eric Bubniak at 404-925-7481 or fill out the form below for a free consultation. Tell us which wall you'd like to take out and what you're hoping the space will feel like, and we'll set up a time to look at it together.
Get your free consultation
Tell us a little about your project. Eric will call you within one business day to talk it through and set up a time to see the space.