Kitchen Structural Work by Garrett Construction
Reshape your kitchen’s bones with expert structural work built to last.
5 Highlights on Kitchen Structural Work
What sets Garrett Construction's structural services apart on every kitchen project.
Load-bearing wall removal
Garrett Construction identifies and safely removes load-bearing walls to open up kitchen layouts, installing properly sized LVL beams and steel headers to carry the transferred load.
Beam and header installation
Our crew installs engineered lumber, glulam beams, and steel I-beams sized to local building code requirements for kitchen spans.
Floor joist repair and sistering
We repair damaged, sagging, or undersized floor joists beneath kitchen floors using sistering techniques that restore structural integrity without full subfloor replacement.
Foundation and sill plate work
Garrett Construction addresses deteriorated sill plates, cracked stem walls, and settlement issues that affect kitchen stability at the foundation level.
Permit-ready structural planning
Every kitchen structural project we take on includes proper permitting, stamped engineering drawings when required, and scheduled inspections to meet local code.
Our Kitchen Structural Work Projects
See examples of our professional structural craftsmanship across kitchen projects in the Twin Cities area.
Our Specialties
Wall Removal & Open Concepts
Transform your kitchen with strategic wall removal. We install proper structural supports like steel beams and headers to safely create open, flowing spaces.
Subfloor Repair & Leveling
A level subfloor is essential for quality flooring installation. We repair damaged subfloors, address moisture issues, and ensure a perfectly flat surface.
Ceiling Work & Modifications
From removing soffits to adding tray ceilings or adjusting ceiling heights, we transform the overhead space to complement your kitchen design.
Why Choose Our Kitchen Structural Work
Garrett Construction brings qualified, hands-on expertise to every kitchen structural project. Our team holds general contractor licensing and works directly with licensed structural engineers when beam sizing, load path analysis, or foundation modifications require stamped drawings. We don’t subcontract the core work out — our own crew handles the framing, beam installation, and structural repairs from start to finish.
We pull permits on every job. That protects you at resale and keeps your homeowner’s insurance valid. A lot of contractors skip that step. We don’t.
Our kitchen structural work comes backed by a written workmanship warranty. If something we built or repaired fails due to our work, we come back and fix it. No runaround.
We’ve completed kitchen structural projects across a wide range of home types — post-and-beam construction, platform framing, older balloon-frame homes, and slab-on-grade builds. That range of experience means we recognize problems that less experienced crews miss. We give you a straight assessment of what the structure needs, what it’ll cost, and how long it’ll take. No inflated scopes, no surprise add-ons.
Garrett Construction is a trusted name in general contracting. We show up on time, communicate clearly, and deliver structural work that passes inspection the first time.
Signs You Need Kitchen Structural Work
Watch for these warning signs that indicate your kitchen may need professional structural attention.
You want to remove a wall between the kitchen and another room
Open-concept kitchen layouts almost always require removing a wall. If that wall runs perpendicular to your floor joists or sits above a basement beam, it’s likely load-bearing. Removing it without proper beam installation causes the floor or roof above to sag or crack. A structural assessment tells you exactly what’s carrying load before any demo begins.
Your kitchen floor bounces or sags noticeably
Excessive deflection in a kitchen floor usually points to undersized, damaged, or rotted floor joists. In older homes, joists were often cut to run plumbing or electrical, which weakens them significantly. Sistering new joists alongside the damaged ones restores the floor’s stiffness and prevents further movement.
You see cracks running diagonally from your kitchen window or door corners
Diagonal cracking at corners is a classic sign of differential settlement or a failing header above the opening. That crack pattern tells a structural story — the framing above the opening is deflecting under load. Replacing an undersized header with a properly engineered one stops the movement.
Your kitchen remodel involves relocating a load-bearing point
Moving a kitchen island, adding a second story above the kitchen, or relocating a support column all shift load paths. Any of those changes require a structural plan that accounts for where the loads land and how they transfer down to the foundation.
You notice rot or pest damage in the kitchen’s framing
Termite damage and moisture rot in rim joists, sill plates, or wall framing beneath kitchen windows and sinks compromise the structural system. Left alone, that damage spreads. Garrett Construction cuts out the compromised material, treats the area, and installs new framing members that meet current code.
Our Kitchen Structural Work Process
Site Assessment
We walk the kitchen, inspect the framing from the basement or crawlspace, and identify load-bearing walls, beam conditions, joist spans, and any existing damage. We take measurements and document what we find.
Structural Plan and Engineering
For beam installations and wall removals, we coordinate with a licensed structural engineer to size the members correctly. You get a plan that meets code and can be submitted for permit.
Permit Application
Garrett Construction files the permit with your local building department. We handle the paperwork and schedule the required inspections so you don’t have to manage that process.
Temporary Support Installation
Before any load-bearing wall comes down, we build temporary shoring walls to carry the load above. This step protects the structure during the work.
Structural Work Execution
Our crew removes the wall, installs the beam or header, sets the posts, and frames the new opening. For joist or foundation work, we complete the repairs per the approved plan.
Inspection and Closeout
We schedule the framing inspection, walk it with the inspector, and get the sign-off. You receive copies of all permits and inspection records for your files.
Brands We Use
Garrett Construction selects materials from manufacturers with proven performance records in structural applications. Here are ten brands our crew relies on for kitchen structural work.
We follow all manufacturer installation specifications and applicable building codes. Proper installation of structural materials is non-negotiable — every connection gets made to spec, every time.
FAQs About Kitchen Structural Work
Common questions about kitchen structural services answered by Garrett Construction.
Kitchen structural work covers any construction that affects the load-bearing elements of your kitchen — walls, beams, headers, floor joists, posts, and foundation connections. It’s different from cosmetic remodeling because it involves the framing and structural system that holds the building together.
You need a structural engineer any time you’re removing a load-bearing wall, installing a new beam, or modifying the load path in your home. The engineer sizes the beam, specifies the connections, and stamps the drawings for permit submission. Garrett Construction coordinates that process for you.
Structural changes affect the safety of the building. Permits require inspections that verify the work meets code. Without a permit, unpermitted structural work can void your homeowner’s insurance, create problems at resale, and leave you liable if something fails.
A straightforward load-bearing wall removal with beam installation typically takes two to four days of active construction, not counting permit processing time. More complex projects — foundation repairs, multiple joist repairs, or multi-point structural modifications — run longer depending on scope.
Sometimes, yes. If the wall between your kitchen and an adjacent room is a partition wall with no structural role, it can come down without beam work. Garrett Construction determines that during the site assessment before any work begins.
It can, which is why load path analysis matters. Removing a wall shifts loads to adjacent framing members. A proper structural plan accounts for where those loads travel and confirms the existing structure can handle them.
Frequently Paired Services
Many of our clients combine kitchen structural work with these complementary services for a more complete kitchen transformation.
Ready to Start Your Kitchen Structural Project?
Contact Garrett Construction today for a free structural assessment and detailed estimate for your kitchen project in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.