the space between the wall and the door is very narrow. So if we install new bench top then the new washing machine will stick out by good 25-30cm. Not a good look. That door was always in a way of my appliances so now that we doing renovations we thought bite the bullet and move the door a little.

please post a floorplan or similar showing both rooms and details. Are you able to re position the washing machine back away from the doorway a half a brick will cost as much as two or more bricks, not worth it

ie: swap with the sink or something that won't project into the room as much, ie: 600 deep

Marie, what is the distance between the wall and the door? Photos can be deceptive. Actual measurements are better.

If you are making structural changes the you are supposed to get a building permit. You will have a steel lintel above the door that holds up the bricks above door. You may also have load bearing columns to the side of the door. To move those you may need to look at how to transfer the loads from roof to footings. So it all depends on what is in the wall. Getting a building permit will ensure things meet building code and can be insured. Your decision is risk and legality.

Hi guys, I have measured distance between the wall and the door and it is 500 mm. From the tiled wall to the end of the current bench is as shown on the picture. That’s why we have to move the door to the left.

so would moving door half a brick will mean “structural change” requiring permit? Omg, what a puzzle.

Marie , get a quote from an civil engineer to come look and give you advice . You may find that what you wish to do is not a problem. At least you will know . It may cost $800 or $900 for the report , at a guess , but that will be worth while . Send in your photos plus more of the rest of the wall and the house construction and what you want done and get a couple of quotes . Don’t risk a dodgy door job as it will cost you more . If you need other advice then it can be covered at the same visit . If you need plans for support then they will quote for that later . Builder 3 sounds like the one to go with !

Marie, you don't want a civil engineer. A structural engineer is the person that would assess any load bearing issues on a residential property.

Thank you guys, just thinking door job was quoted in the range of $3500-4500 and then engineer costs, blah. I hate this door 😁

As differentways has said previously. Why can't you rearrange the laundry and put, say the sink on the wall next to the door. A smaller sink/trough would fit in a bench of 500mm. Step the bench in 100mm.

Like this

A civil engineer is also called a structural engineer which is possibly a more modern term . It is all building weather roads , dams , walls or buildings whether houses or high rise . One of my closest friends graduated in 1977 as a civil engineer winning with the University Medal . He is has worked on all of the above and still does .

I just reread that and it sounded rude . I am sorry dreamer as I did not mean to .

Anne, you did get it right. The degree is civil engineering. Structural is just one of the areas that one may specialise in. Traffic and water are others to add to your list. :)

In an earlier post you mention that you are planning a kitchen reno and going by the laundry photo you posted with the dish in the laundry sink your kitchen and laundry are connected.

If you could post a rough drawing of both rooms along with dimensions or better still the house floorplan it would be a great help in offering solutions and suggestions for both spaces

what is the room behind where you want to install the washer and dryer? do you need the outside door?? there must be alternative options to rebuilding an external doorway that's unlikely to allow for a reasonable width new door in the same location..is there an alternate exit to access the outside through another room?.. what's on the left of the door? . .post a plan of the house showing dimensions of adjoining rooms and photos of the other sides of the laundry ... without more details and accurate dimension we can't offer specific suggestions

I did think that perhaps the door could be changed to a window, but without extra details hard to say

Marie, before you give up on door cut a hole in plaster above the top left of door to width you need to see what is in there. The width needs to include the door frame and support timber so about a 20 -30cm hole. If it is load bearing you will find lots of timber not just a 4x2”

strongly suggest that before opening up walls you post any floorplans you might have. The doorway will be framed up with timber but if your exterior walls are brick you will have a lentil to support the bricks.

If you can't post plans I would consider calling in a Kitchen Laundry specialist who will be able to advise you and supply you with a floorplan layout

Hi guys, thank you to all of you. Here’s the laundry ( sorry it’s so ugly, that’s why we are renovating 😉)

And my floor plan.we definitely need access from the laundry to outside.

We are renovating kitchen and laundry

I like that idea of laundry dreamer, by my husband didn’t.

we can't see the details of the plans.. please enlarge the laundry and kitchen plan and show dimensions of both rooms and what do you have planned for the kitchen reno..it looks like there could be enough space to swop the laundry fixtures to the other side or even steal some space off the living room and/or open the door in the other direction but we need to be able to see the details

exactly my thought OKL was to swap the laundry machines to the other side until we get dimensions it's guessing but at last there is light at the end of the tunnel seeing a floorplan

The space in the laundry on the drawn plan, doesn't seem to correspond with the actual space in your photo.
Again, measurements of space would be handy.........

Based on what that plan shows I would not be moving door as a great laundry can be had in current space for much less hassle.
Please measure up whole laundry. Showing windows and doors. Are you on stumps or a concrete slab?

I feel your laundry pain :(

My laundry is just over 2m x 2m with two doors (one inwards/one outwards). Was an external wash-house - now internal due to 80's extention.

Moving that back door sounds expensive!

Don't know if this is even possible...? move washer, dryer to other wall (where cupboards may be?) & have a narrower bench & sink? Maybe $$$ plumbing to move wm taps & maybe sink needed for wm overflow? But if already ripping out the kitchen plumbing... ??

Btw that is a pic from the site. A pic of MY laundry would leave you all in tears 😭

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