Is this wall load bearing?

I get this question a lot when working with home buyers who are looking at a home, “Is this wall load-bearing?” I get it, they want to create more open spaces in the home, especially between the kitchen and living or dining areas.

My standard answer is, “Even if it is load-bearing, for the right amount of money, any wall can be removed.” They usually laugh and then I go on to say that generally, if a wall runs perpendicular to the floor or ceiling joists and is in the center of the home then it is likely a load-bearing wall. You can also look at the ridge line of the roof – walls that line up underneath the ridge are often load-bearing. Interior walls that run parallel to joists are often not load-bearing, but there are many exceptions.

Bottomline, consult a qualified carpenter or structural engineer before you go knocking out walls!