Newquay · Cornwall
Lintel replacement in Newquay
Rusting steel over the windows of a Newquay home lifts and cracks the brickwork it carries. Replacing it involves propping or needling the wall, swapping in a new lintel and relaying the bricks to match.
Guide price from£770per opening inc VAT
- Postcodes
- TR7
- Population
- about 20,000
- Area
- Cornwall
- Pricing region
- South West
Why does the ground in Cornwall matter for lintel replacement?
Newquay, Cornwall: about 20,000 residents across postcode districts TR7. Nearby places we cover include Truro (10 miles), St Austell (14 miles) and Redruth (14 miles).
Clay shrinkage is less of a concern in Cornwall, so other causes such as drains, poor footings or older walls are checked first. Old metal-mine shafts and workings are recorded in places, so mining searches are routine for some properties. Typical buildings in Cornwall: Granite and slate-stone cottages, cob buildings, Victorian terraces and post-war estates.
What to expect when we carry out lintel replacement
Inspect the opening
We look at the crack pattern, the type of lintel and what sits above it. Pictures of both faces of the window, plus any visible lintel edge, help us judge it before visiting.
Specify the replacement
We confirm the lintel type, length and bearing needed. For wide openings, bays or walls with unusual loads, an engineer may specify it, and where the repair needs an engineer’s design or sign-off we can arrange one.
Remove and replace
Brickwork is carefully taken out above the lintel, the old lintel removed and the new one bedded level on full bearings. A cavity tray goes in where relevant, then the brickwork above is relaid.
Is it time for lintel replacement? Common signs
- Window or door frames that have started to bind or distort
- Damp patches on the inside wall just above a window
- Brickwork above an opening visibly dipping in the middle
What should you budget for lintel replacement in Newquay?
The ranges below reflect typical South West costs for lintel replacement, including VAT. Scaffold, access and making good can push a job to the top of the range.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Standard window or door opening | £770 – £2,600 | per opening |
| Wide or bay openingest. | £2,050 – £4,650 | per opening |
| Making good inside and outest. | £155 – £620 | per opening |
Repair options we may recommend
Replacement with a cavity tray
A damp-proof membrane is laid over the new lintel with stop ends and weep holes, so water running down the cavity is directed out rather than into the house. Many older lintels were installed without one, which is often why they failed.
Best for: Cavity walls with damp above windows
Inner and outer lintel replacement
Solid walls and some cavity walls carry separate lintels on the inside and outside faces. Where both have failed, each is replaced in turn, keeping the wall supported throughout. Internal plaster and reveals are then made good and redecorated where included.
Best for: Older solid walls with rotten timber across the inner face
Rules for lintel replacement in England
In England, underpinning and other work that alters or strengthens a wall or foundation is building work under the Building Regulations (Part A, structure), so building control approves and inspects it. Like-for-like repairs often are not, and we tell you which applies before a price is agreed. Work to a party wall, or excavation close to a neighbour’s foundations, can also need a notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Your lintel replacement questions
What is the price of lintel replacement in Newquay?
Guide prices for lintel replacement in Newquay start from about £770 per opening, including VAT, on South West rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Do you carry out lintel replacement in Newquay?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Newquay, including TR7, and from nearby places such as Truro and St Austell. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
Does the ground around Newquay cause cracking?
Cornwall is mostly granite and slate with little shrinkable clay, so clay subsidence is less common than in the south-east. Historic tin and copper mining has left shafts and workings in places such as Camborne and Redruth, and mining searches are routine there. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Is it safe to live in the house during lintel replacement?
Yes, in almost all cases. The wall is fully supported before anything is removed, and the work is confined to one opening at a time. The affected room is sheeted against dust and kept clear while props are in place.
How long does it take to replace a lintel?
Most single lintels are replaced in one to two days. The props stay in until the mortar has gained enough strength, and wide bays or openings with both inner and outer lintels can take longer. The window can usually be used again once the supports come out.
More repairs we carry out in Newquay
- Brick arch repairs
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
- Floor joist repairs
- Wall tie replacement
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
Lintel replacement near Newquay
Send photos of the cracked or sagging opening at your Newquay home for a free initial assessment and an honest view on the lintel.