Coleraine · County Londonderry
Lintel replacement in Coleraine
Bay windows on older houses around Coleraine often hide a timber lintel behind the face brickwork. When that timber rots, the bay brickwork drops and cracks, and replacing it properly means supporting the wall above throughout the job.
Guide price from£660per opening inc VAT
- Postcodes
- BT52
- Population
- about 26,000
- Area
- County Londonderry
- Pricing region
- Northern Ireland
What is the ground like in County Londonderry?
Coleraine, County Londonderry: about 26,000 residents across postcode districts BT52. Nearby places we cover include Ballymoney (7 miles), Limavady (13 miles) and Ballymena (24 miles).
Shrinkable clay is less common in County Londonderry than in south-east England. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Across County Londonderry, most homes are Georgian and Victorian houses in Derry, brick terraces and post-war estates.
Guide prices for lintel replacement in Coleraine
For Coleraine we use Northern Ireland rates. Treat the table as a budget guide, inc VAT; the price you pay is the one on your written quote.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Standard window or door opening | £660 – £2,200 | per opening |
| Wide or bay openingest. | £1,750 – £3,950 | per opening |
| Making good inside and outest. | £130 – £530 | per opening |
Methods for lintel replacement
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
Like-for-like replacement
The failed lintel comes out and one of suitable type and size is bedded on mortar with adequate bearing at each end. Bricks above are relaid to match the original bond and the joints are pointed to blend with the surrounding wall.
Best for: Standard windows and doors with a single failed lintel
From first photo to finished repair
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.
Symptoms that point to lintel replacement
- Damp patches on the inside wall just above a window
- Window or door frames that have started to bind or distort
- A diagonal crack climbing away from a window head
Rules for lintel replacement in Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 apply and the council’s building control service approves structural work such as underpinning; minor like-for-like repairs usually need no approval. The Party Wall Act does not apply in Northern Ireland, so work to shared walls depends on deeds and agreement with neighbours.
Frequently asked questions
What is the price of lintel replacement in Coleraine?
Guide prices for lintel replacement in Coleraine start from about £660 per opening, including VAT, on Northern Ireland 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 Coleraine?
We do. Coleraine and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Ballymoney and Limavady. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Does the ground around Coleraine cause cracking?
County Londonderry has basalt, older hard rock and glacial deposits, with soft river ground along the Foyle and Bann. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Can a lintel be replaced without removing the window?
Often yes. With the wall propped or needled, the old lintel can usually be cut out above the frame. If the frame has been carrying load or the lintel sits tight on it, the window may need removing and refitting, which we include in the quote.
What does needling a wall mean?
Needling means passing short steel members through holes cut in the wall just above the opening and supporting them on props on both sides. The needles take the weight of the wall above, so the old lintel can be removed safely without any brickwork dropping.
More repairs we carry out in Coleraine
- Structural crack repairs
- Bay window subsidence repairs
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Roof structure repairs
- Concrete repairs
Lintel replacement near Coleraine
You will get a no-obligation written quote for each Coleraine lintel, splitting out the lintel itself, the propping and the making good.