A kitchen knock-through needs structural planning; it only becomes a party wall notice issue when the work falls within the Act's relevant shared-structure provisions.
Assess the wall before designing the opening
Check the position of upper-floor walls and joists, the route of plumbing and electrics and whether the wall provides lateral support. A small opening can still need substantial structural work. A designer or engineer can help compare a partial opening with removing nearly the whole wall. This also affects the kitchen layout, extraction, heating and where services must be rerouted.
Design the support and temporary works
Where the wall carries loads, an engineer should specify the supporting member and its bearings. The builder needs a safe order of work with appropriate propping. Building-control approval or notification may be needed for structural changes. Do not assume an old house's previous alterations are proof that a similar opening can be made safely.
The party wall distinction
A dividing wall between your own kitchen and dining room is not necessarily a party wall. If an RSJ pocket or structural alteration is planned in the wall shared with the adjoining property, section 2 and a party structure notice may become relevant. Show the engineer's proposed bearings clearly and check the legal nature of the wall. This is more accurate than treating every wall removal as a party wall project.
Avoid losing time after ordering the kitchen
Agree structural details before ordering bespoke cabinetry or setting an installation date. Allow for making good ceilings, floors and finishes after any beam is installed. If a statutory notice is needed, the normal two-month party-structure notice period must be considered. Kitchen suppliers' lead times and party wall procedures are independent parts of the programme.
Does this project need a party wall notice?
A purely internal knock-through may have no party wall notice requirement. A new beam pocket cut into shared masonry can be different. Use the relevant party-structure guidance, and only use the document builder if your answers fit its supported notice types.
Checklist before work begins
- Identify the wall's load and existing services.
- Get a beam and bearing design before removal.
- Confirm whether any bearing is in a shared wall.
- Set installation dates after building-control and notice checks.
Think you may need a notice?
Check your work for free. A personalised £4.99 PDF is available only if it fits the builder’s supported notice types.
Related guides
GOV.UK party wall explanatory booklet ↗ · Party Wall etc. Act 1996 ↗
Last reviewed: 22 October 2026. Information is not a substitute for professional assessment of your project.