A load-bearing wall supports other building components and forms part of the structural system. Its role cannot be reliably inferred from decorative finishes or wall thickness alone. Removing it changes how loads travel through the building.
How this term relates to your project
For a new opening, establish the loads the wall supports and their replacement load path. Components below and beside the opening may be important. Ask about assessment of existing conditions, the permanent design and construction stages. Temporary support belongs to professional preparation, not a homeowner’s choice based on an example photograph.
Include spatial consequences: a replacement beam may affect ceiling height and adjacent cabinets. The quotation should distinguish the structural alteration from reinstatement of floors, walls, ceilings and relocated services. Keep relevant structural records with the final drawings so later owners can understand the alteration behind the finished surfaces.