Remodel Answers · Interior Repairs · Drywall
My Husband and I would like to remodel the very first home we bought right after marriage as the utility of the extra rooms has been outlived. We think it’s time to reduce the number of rooms and split the new space between the remaining rooms. The renovations we require are somewhat extensive and we have a few ideas we would like to see implemented; but at the same time, we are open to suggestions that would fit our overall theme. What we have for design are very rough sketches of what we would
Short answer
Starting a remodel to combine rooms begins with a professional consultation to translate your ideas into a feasible plan. We assess which walls are load-bearing, as this is the biggest factor in cost and complexity. Based on that assessment, we create a detailed, fixed-price proposal outlining every step from demolition to final paint.
From Vision to Feasibility
The first step is turning your ideas and sketches into a buildable plan. During our Free Onsite Consultation, we listen to your goals for the new space, review your concepts, and measure the area. Most importantly, we conduct an initial structural assessment. This conversation helps ground your vision in reality, clarifying what's possible within your home's existing structure and your target budget.
The Load-Bearing Question
The single biggest factor in an open-concept remodel is whether a wall is load-bearing or simply a non-structural partition. A partition wall can be removed relatively easily. A load-bearing wall, however, supports weight from the floor above or the roof. Removing it is a major structural alteration that requires a licensed engineer's report, a city or county permit, and the installation of a large, properly sized beam to carry the load. This significantly impacts the project timeline and cost.
Coordinating the Necessary Trades
Removing a wall is more than demolition. It almost always involves relocating electrical wiring. Advanced Remodeling coordinates a trusted licensed electrician to safely move outlets, switches, and lighting circuits. If plumbing or HVAC ducts are in the wall, we bring in the appropriate licensed specialists to handle that work as well (see our /disclaimers page for more on how we work with trade partners). As the general contractor, we manage this entire process and then handle all the subsequent framing, drywall, and finish restoration.
Seamless Finishes Make the Space
Once the structural and mechanical work is done, the real transformation begins. Our expertise in finish work ensures the new, larger room feels like it was always there. This involves patching the ceiling and walls with matching texture, lacing in new flooring to seamlessly blend with the old, installing new baseboards and trim, and applying a final, flawless coat of paint. These details are what create a truly professional result.
Why it happens
Homeowners' needs evolve, and a layout with many small rooms, common in older Pacific Northwest homes, may no longer fit a modern lifestyle that values open-concept living. Combining rooms can dramatically improve flow, natural light, and usability, making an old house feel new again. This process is complex, involving structural, electrical, and finish work, which prompts homeowners to seek professional guidance on where to even begin.
How to diagnose it
- 1Gather your rough sketches, inspiration photos, and a list of 'must-haves' versus 'nice-to-haves'.
- 2Take photos of the rooms you want to combine, including clear shots of the walls, ceilings, and floors involved.
- 3Look in your attic or crawlspace for clues. A wall is likely load-bearing if ceiling or floor joists run perpendicular to it and rest on top of it.
- 4Identify all outlets, switches, light fixtures, thermostats, and vents in the walls you want to remove. These will need to be professionally relocated.
- 5Measure the overall dimensions of the space to help a contractor understand the scale of your project.
- 6Schedule a Free Onsite Consultation to have a general contractor assess the structure and discuss possibilities.
DIY vs. professional
DIY-friendly if…
Developing your initial ideas, creating inspiration boards, and clearing out furniture are great DIY first steps before professionals arrive.
Call a pro when…
A general contractor is essential for assessing load-bearing walls, managing any required engineering, coordinating licensed trades, and executing all demolition, framing, and finish work.
Cost expectations
$3,500–$25,000typical WA labor + materials
Cost depends entirely on whether a wall is load-bearing, which requires engineering, permits, and a structural beam. A simple non-load-bearing wall is at the low end.
Every Advanced Remodeling job is quoted in writing before we start. workmanship warranty included.
What this job requires
- Homeowner decisions on the final layout, lighting placement, and finish materials (flooring, paint, trim).
- Clear access to the work area and protection for furniture in adjacent rooms.
- If load-bearing, a structural engineering report and a formal building permit are required.
- Coordination with a licensed electrician to reroute any affected circuits.
- A signed, fixed-price contract detailing the full scope of work before demolition begins.
- Patience for a process that can be dusty and disruptive, even with containment measures in place.
Typical timeframe
For a simple non-load-bearing wall removal, the project may take 1 to 2 weeks. If a load-bearing wall is involved, expect a 4 to 8 week timeline to accommodate for engineering, permitting, inspections, and the more complex construction.
Your next steps
- 1
Schedule a Free Onsite Consultation
We'll meet you at your home to listen to your ideas, look at your sketches, and perform an initial structural assessment of the walls in question.
- 2
Review Your Line-Item Proposal
Based on our consultation, we'll provide a detailed, fixed-price proposal that breaks down the costs for demolition, structural work, trade coordination, and all finish work.
- 3
Finalize the Plan & Sign Contract
Once you approve the proposal, we sign a formal contract that locks in the price and scope. We then schedule the work and place any special material orders.
- 4
Project Kickoff
Our team arrives on the scheduled start date to begin site protection and demolition, marking the first physical step toward your new open space.
What to expect
Removing walls is a disruptive and dusty process, but we take extensive measures to contain the work area with plastic barriers and floor protection. You can expect a project manager to be your single point of contact, providing daily updates. Our crew will be onsite during business hours. Payments are structured with an initial deposit, followed by milestone draws as major phases like demolition, framing, and finishes are completed.
What we see on Free Onsite Consultations
During a Free Onsite Consultation, we can often make a preliminary determination about whether a wall is load-bearing by examining your home's structure from the attic or crawlspace. This is the crucial first step to understanding the project's true scope and budget.
How the Free Onsite Consultation worksWhere this work lives
Whole-Home & Interior Remodeling
Multi-room remodels, additions, ADUs, and full interior refreshes with one crew and one timeline.
See the full home remodel pageServices we'd bring to this job
Especially common in these neighborhoods
We see this often on assessments across these the greater PNW cities we serve.