Washington Park Bungalow Open Concept Cost: 2026
Opening up a Washington Park bungalow costs $1,000 to $15,000+ for wall removal alone, depending on whether the wall is load-bearing. Here is the full cost breakdown for Denver Metro homeowners in 2026.
I want to take down the wall between my kitchen and dining room in my Wash Park bungalow. What's the realistic cost in 2026, and how do I know if it's a load-bearing wall?
TL;DR
- Non-load-bearing wall removal runs roughly $1,000 to $3,000 in Denver.
- Load-bearing wall removal with beam can reach $5,000 to $15,000 plus.
- Finish work and rerouting add thousands on top of demolition.
Opening up a Washington Park bungalow in 80209 or 80210 is one of the most common remodeling requests I see in the Denver Metro, and the price range swings wildly depending on whether that wall is structural. Here is what each scenario actually costs, what drives those numbers, and how to avoid blowing your budget on surprise finish work.
How much does it cost to remove a wall in a Denver bungalow?
The answer depends almost entirely on one question: is the wall load-bearing? Removing a non-load-bearing partition wall typically costs $1,000 to $3,000, covering demo, hauling, and basic patching.
Most bungalow walls in Washington Park, though, are load-bearing. The home's center wall usually carries roof and floor loads. Removing a load-bearing wall requires a structural engineer, a City of Denver building permit, and the installation of a steel or LVL support beam. That work can run $5,000 to $15,000 or more depending on beam span, access, and complexity.
| Scenario | Typical Cost Range | Key Drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Non-load-bearing wall removal | $1,000 to $3,000 | Wall size, patching scope, debris removal |
| Load-bearing wall removal with beam | $5,000 to $15,000+ | Beam span, engineering, permit fees, temporary shoring |
What are the hidden finish costs after a wall comes down?
Demo is the dramatic part. The expensive part is everything that follows. Once a wall is gone, you are left with mismatched flooring, open ceiling cavities, orphaned electrical runs, and possibly rerouted plumbing. These finish costs can equal or exceed the structural work itself.
Homes in 80209 and 80210 often have original hardwood floors with different patterns room to room. Blending or replacing that hardwood across a new combined space is a line item homeowners underestimate every time.
- Floor refinishing or replacement across the new open span
- Ceiling and drywall patching where the wall met the ceiling plane
- Electrical rerouting (switches, outlets, and any fixtures in the old wall)
- Plumbing relocation if a supply or drain line runs through the wall
- Paint and trim to match existing millwork
What if I bundle a full kitchen remodel with the wall removal?
Most homeowners who open up a bungalow floor plan do not stop at wall removal. A full kitchen renovation in the Denver Metro can average $50,000 to $100,000 when you factor in new cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and layout changes.
Bundling makes sense because the contractor is already on site with an open structure. You save on separate mobilization costs and avoid tearing into fresh finishes later. But bundling also means the total project timeline stretches to roughly three to five months, and larger scopes with long-lead materials can push past six months.
This is where decision-grade schematic design pays for itself. A contractor-ready plan lets you price the full scope before you commit, instead of discovering mid-demo that your island needs a gas line relocation.
How long does a load-bearing wall removal take in Denver?
Once permits are in hand, the actual on-site structural work (temporary shoring, demo, beam installation) typically takes one to two days. The overall project, including engineering, City of Denver permitting, inspections, and finish work, usually spans three to six weeks from start to finish.
Denver's permit turnaround times vary by season. Summer backlogs can add weeks. Starting your engineering and permit applications in late winter gives you the best shot at a spring construction start.
- Structural engineering review: 1 to 3 weeks
- City of Denver permit approval: 2 to 6 weeks (variable)
- On-site structural work: 1 to 2 days
- Finish work (floors, drywall, electrical, paint): 1 to 3 weeks
How do I know if my bungalow wall is load-bearing?
You cannot confirm a wall is load-bearing by looking at it. A structural engineer is the only person who should make that call. That said, there are common indicators that suggest a wall is structural.
In a typical Denver bungalow, walls running perpendicular to the floor joists are more likely load-bearing. The center wall between the living room and kitchen almost always carries roof loads. Walls running parallel to the joists, especially short partition walls, are more likely non-structural. But again: get an engineer. The cost of a structural assessment is trivial compared to a collapsed ceiling.
- Walls perpendicular to floor joists: likely load-bearing
- Center walls running the length of the house: almost always structural
- Short partition walls parallel to joists: often non-load-bearing
- Any wall you are unsure about: hire a structural engineer before touching it
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to remove a load-bearing wall in a Denver bungalow?
Removing a load-bearing wall in a Denver bungalow, including engineering, permits, and beam installation, typically costs $5,000 to $15,000 or more depending on the span and complexity. Non-load-bearing walls are simpler and usually run $1,000 to $3,000. These figures cover structural work only; finish costs like flooring, drywall, and electrical are separate line items.
Do I need a permit to remove a wall in my Washington Park home?
Yes. The City of Denver requires a building permit for any structural modification, including load-bearing wall removal. You will need stamped structural engineering drawings as part of the permit application. Even for non-load-bearing walls, if electrical or plumbing is involved, permits may be required. Skipping permits creates inspection and resale problems down the road.
How long does a wall removal project take from start to finish in Denver?
For a standalone load-bearing wall removal, expect three to six weeks total, covering engineering, permit approval, on-site work, and finish repairs. The actual demolition and beam installation typically takes one to two days once permits are approved. If you bundle a full kitchen remodel, the timeline extends to roughly three to five months, and larger scopes can push past six months.
Can I open up my bungalow floor plan without removing a load-bearing wall?
Sometimes. Some bungalows have non-structural partition walls that can be removed for a fraction of the cost. A structural engineer or a pre-construction Field Report can identify which walls are load-bearing and which are not. In many Washington Park bungalows, though, the central wall is structural, so full open-concept layouts almost always involve beam work.
What should I do before getting contractor bids for an open-concept remodel?
Start with a schematic design. Contractor-ready drawings give every bidder the same scope to price against, which means you get apples-to-apples bids instead of guesswork. Clear Build's Field Report ($495) covers an on-site walkthrough, feasibility check, and rough budget so you know whether the project makes financial sense before you commit to design at $5/sq ft.
Opening up a Washington Park bungalow is completely doable, but the gap between a simple partition removal and a full structural project is tens of thousands of dollars. Knowing exactly what you are dealing with before the first hammer swings is the definition of clarity before commitment.
Book a Field Report at clearbuild.studio/book to find out what is inside your walls before you start swinging.
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