Gather the right information
Collect plans, structural drawings and records of earlier alterations. Mark the wall and show what is above and below it. The engineer compares these documents with the actual building. A thick line or colour does not have the same meaning on every drawing; the legend and structural context matter.
Resolve uncertainties before designing
Missing drawings do not automatically make your plan impossible. Discuss archive research, a site visit or targeted investigation. Record uncertainties explicitly. Wall material or a hollow sound is only a clue. Do not carry out trial demolition to discover what a wall supports.
Your checklist
- Mark the wall on a plan
- Collect photographs of both sides
- Record previous alterations
Sources and further reading
General information about projects in the Netherlands. Your building requires its own assessment and design.