In my previous thread, you helped me with the ventilation issue that became a hot topic in my renovation application to the board. I wanted to build a straight wall to convert my small one-room apartment into a two-room one. After many unpleasant emails, things I was called, and 5000 kr for a technician and statement, they finally approved it - what a relief I thought (I was wrong, keep reading...)!
In the drawing that the ventilation technicians made, they crossed out a wall that supports the current "ventilation box," which I understood is not needed. Therefore, I was considering demolishing wall A to free up storage space when living so small. Besides that, there's another wall B about 10 cm thick that seems to contain something mysterious, due to its shape (see image below). In part of that wall, I was planning to place the bedroom door.
When you knock on both walls, they sound soft like gypsum walls. I ordered floor plans from the construction and site service and wall B didn't even exist there (see image below), nor does it indicate if wall A is load-bearing. I had both a carpenter and electrician come by (costs money), they didn't know the contents (no electricity at least), we suspected water pipes and checked the plumbing diagram, nothing was there. Both craftsmen referred me to ask the association - they must know.
Of course, I listened to the experts and asked a general question to the association, but then all hell broke loose!!! I was made to feel foolish again, and the unpleasant responses started coming in "how should we know what you have in your walls," etc. Now they are threatening to withdraw the application. In addition, they now demand I bring in a building inspector, this application has cost me an enormous amount of money like never before. I have believed that the regulations say non-load-bearing walls can be altered and it's more of a formality to inform the association.
Can you please help me, are the walls load-bearing? / Sad chicken
In my previous thread, you helped me with ventilation, which became a hot topic in my renovation application to the board. I wanted to build a straight wall to transform my small studio into a one-bedroom apartment, and after many unpleasant emails, things I was called, as well as 5000 SEK for technicians and statements, they finally approved it - what a relief, I thought (wrong, keep reading...)!
In the drawing made by the ventilation technicians, they had marked a wall holding up the current "ventilation box," which I understood was not needed. Therefore, I thought maybe to tear down wall A to free up storage space when living so small. Besides that, there is another wall B, about 10 cm, which seems to contain something mysterious, due to its shape (see picture below). In part of that wall, I was thinking of placing the bedroom door.
When you knock on both walls, it sounds soft like drywall. I ordered floor plans from the building and planning service, and wall B didn't even exist there (see picture below), and it doesn't state whether wall A is load-bearing. I brought in both a carpenter and an electrician (costs money); they didn't know the content (no electricity, at least), we suspected water pipes and checked the plumbing drawing; there was nothing there. Both craftsmen referred to asking the association - they must know.
Of course, I listen to the experts and ask a general question to the association, but then all hell breaks loose!!! I am made a fool of again, and the unpleasant answers come in, "how should we know what you have in your walls," etc. Now they are threatening to withdraw the application. Besides that, they now require me to bring in a building inspector; this application has cost me an enormous amount of money without comparison. I believed that the regulations state non-load-bearing walls can be altered, and it's more a formality to inform the association.
Can you please help me, are the walls load-bearing? / Sad chicken
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Remember that it's not your apartment, hence their interest.
What the ventilation technician has crossed out is the supply air diffuser up by the ceiling, NOT the wall. It might be that there is a beam above the opening at wall B.
In my view, wall A is not load-bearing. But wall B might be; there might be a pillar at the odd corner.
What the ventilation technician crossed out is the supply air diffuser up by the ceiling NOT the wall.
There could be a beam above the opening at wall B.
Wall A is not load-bearing in my opinion.
But wall B could be, there might be a pillar at the strange corner.
How do I know if they are load-bearing? The board apparently knows nothing; should it really be that way? Which professional group can you contact for help?
How do I know if they are load-bearing? The board apparently knows nothing, should it really be so? Which professional group can you contact for help.
A civil engineer/structural engineer can solve that for you.
Now I don't know where in Sweden your apartment is. But go to sbr.se and you can probably find someone near you.
A civil engineer/designer will solve that for you.
Now I don't know where in Sweden you have the apartment. But go to sbr.se and you can surely find someone nearby.
Do you know how much I will need to push out ? I live in Stockholm
How do I know if they are load-bearing? The board apparently knows nothing, should it really be like that? Which professional group can you contact for help.
Why would the "board," who are your neighbors, know more about the construction of your apartment than you who live in it?
Kycklingen said:
How do I know if they are load-bearing? The board apparently knows nothing, should it really be like that? Which professional group can you contact for help.
I just want to point out that the board is your neighbors who are doing the task as voluntary work (with or without a symbolic fee). Often, new inexperienced members assume it is some professional group, and have unreasonable expectations, as if it were a full-time job. I would have the more technical discussions with the property manager, if you have any external one. They usually can get a structural engineer who can investigate. At your cost, of course.
Since you live in Stockholm, I would start by logging into the City Planning Office and looking up the construction drawings for the property, specifically for your floor. Based on the drawings and the photo you've posted, I find it almost improbable that a load-bearing wall in your apartment wouldn't be made of concrete. Since there is no trim on wall B, I wonder if it's something that was added later by a previous owner.
It's complicated to renovate; if you're not working professionally with that sort of thing, you have to figure out what applies, whether it's load-bearing walls or ventilation. At the same time, you learn something from each project
My daughter moved out this spring; she's also learning about load-bearing walls and how to find out about them. She's also learned that different walls mean different methods for hanging pictures. And that the board doesn't know much more than she does... So far, she still believes that mom can
Do you know how much I'll have to pay ? Living in Stockholm
Considering the hourly rates that contractors have in Sthlm, I wouldn't be surprised by +1000kr/h. But others might know better.
It's impossible to sit here with the information above and say with certainty whether wall b is load-bearing or not. Either you try to find K-drawings and parts. However, I would be cautious about relying 100% on someone if you don't know if they have the knowledge and experience required.
That's why sbr.se.
This is a good compilation by one of the forum's experts: if nothing else, it shows what knowledge you need to determine if a wall is load-bearing or not.
What does the regulation say about non-load-bearing walls, do I really need to hire a structural engineer to give a statement to demolish a 10 cm wall?
Then neither the board, external managers, nor the drawings at the construction/site service could say if it is a load-bearing wall. Is it really that no one knows? Sounds really strange, I can understand that the board might not know, but the property manager? Or does no one keep track of load-bearing walls when building in Stockholm?
What does the regulations say about non-load-bearing walls? Do I really have to hire a structural engineer to give a statement for demolishing a 10 cm wall?
Neither the board, external managers, nor the drawings from building/platstjänst could say if it is a load-bearing wall. Is it really that no one knows? Sounds really strange, I can understand that the board might not know, but the manager? Or is no one aware of load-bearing walls when building in Stockholm?
But, why don't you just open the wall and take a look?
You can often tell if a wall is load-bearing by seeing how it is built.
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Kycklingen said:
fgo said:
