What is the cost of installing a new beam when opening up a floor plan in NB?

Installing a new structural beam when opening up a floor plan in a New Brunswick home typically costs $4,000 to $12,000 for the complete structural work — beam, posts, modified bearing points, temporary shoring, and labour — before any finishing costs are factored in. The range is wide because beam size, span, load conditions, and what's in the walls being opened all vary considerably from one project to the next.

The beam itself is the most variable cost component. A 10-foot LVL (laminated veneer lumber) beam to span a typical kitchen-to-dining room opening on a single-storey home might cost $500 to $1,000 for materials; a 20-foot glulam beam spanning a full open-concept living area in a two-storey home could run $2,500 to $5,000 in materials. Steel I-beams (W-section or HSS) are specified for longer spans or very heavy loads and typically cost more than engineered wood products, plus they require specialized equipment for handling and installation. The engineer determines the required size based on the span length, the load from above (one floor vs. two floors, roof load, snow load), and the lumber species and grade specified.

Labour for beam installation in NB runs $1,500 to $4,000 for a typical residential project. This includes building and installing temporary shoring walls on both sides of the opening (to carry the load while the permanent wall and framing are removed), cutting out the structural wall, installing the beam with proper bearing at each end, and building the post assemblies that carry the beam load down to the foundation. The temporary shoring phase is critical work that cannot be cut short — improperly shored openings during renovation have caused partial floor collapses in older homes.

The bearing point situation at each end of the beam significantly affects cost. If the existing framing below already has a clear path to transfer load — a doubled joist below, a wall directly below in the basement — installing the new posts is straightforward. If the beam end lands in the middle of a basement span, a new steel column and pad footing may need to be added ($800 to $2,000), or an existing floor beam may need to be reinforced. This is something the structural engineer identifies in their assessment, which is why engineering must come before budgeting for this type of work.

Electrical and HVAC in the wall add predictable costs. Almost every interior wall in an NB home has at least one electrical circuit running through it; many have multiple. A licensed electrician needs to reroute those circuits before the wall comes down — budget $500 to $1,500 for electrical work. HVAC supply or return ducts running through the wall require a sheet metal contractor to relocate them, typically $400 to $1,200 depending on complexity.

Finishing costs on top of the structural work are substantial. New drywall on the ceiling where the wall met it, patching and painting throughout the affected area, new lighting for the opened space, flooring patching where the old wall sat, and trim and millwork updates typically add $3,000 to $8,000 for a complete, finished result. A full open-concept conversion project — structural work plus all finishing — should be budgeted at $10,000 to $25,000 for most NB homes, with the higher end reflecting two-storey homes, longer spans, complex framing conditions, or premium finishes.

Engineering and permit costs are not optional and should be in every budget: structural engineering runs $600 to $1,500, and building permits add $100 to $400 depending on your municipality or RSC. These are investments in doing the project correctly and protecting your home's resale value and insurance coverage. Always get three written quotes, confirm WorkSafeNB coverage, and verify the contractor is pulling the required permit — beam work without permits creates real problems at resale in NB's market. Get connected with experienced local contractors for a free estimate on your project.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The New Brunswick Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Thirty Four Renovations
• Gionetterenovations