Ferndown · Dorset
Lintel replacement in Ferndown
For a failed lintel in Ferndown, the new one needs the right length, the right bearing and, in cavity walls, a tray to carry water out. Those details are what make the repair last, and they are set out in our quote.
Guide price from£770per opening inc VAT
- Postcodes
- BH22
- Population
- about 18,000
- Area
- Dorset
- Pricing region
- South West
What is the ground like in Dorset?
We cover Ferndown and its postcode districts BH22, part of Dorset, with a population of roughly 18,000. Neighbouring towns we cover: Wimborne Minster (4 miles), Bournemouth (6 miles) and Christchurch (7 miles).
Clay soils are found in parts of Dorset. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Across Dorset, most homes are stone and brick villages, Victorian villas in Bournemouth, and inter-war and post-war semis.
Lintel replacement prices in Ferndown
For Ferndown we use South West 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 | £770 – £2,600 | per opening |
| Wide or bay openingest. | £2,050 – £4,650 | per opening |
| Making good inside and outest. | £155 – £620 | per opening |
How we usually approach lintel replacement
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
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
What happens during lintel replacement, step by step?
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.
Support the wall
Props or needles are set so the brickwork above carries no load on the old lintel. Windows are protected or temporarily removed where the work demands it, and the room inside is sheeted against dust.
Remove supports and make good
Once the mortar has gained strength, props and needles come out and their holes are made good. Pointing, reveals and plaster are finished, and the window is refitted or checked for smooth operation.
What to look for before calling about lintel replacement
- Soft, crumbly timber visible behind the brick face over a bay
- Window or door frames that have started to bind or distort
- Damp patches on the inside wall just above a window
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.
Questions about lintel replacement in Ferndown
How much will lintel replacement cost in Ferndown?
Guide prices for lintel replacement in Ferndown 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 cover Ferndown?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Ferndown, including BH22, and from nearby places such as Wimborne Minster and Bournemouth. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
Is the ground in Dorset prone to subsidence?
Dorset mixes chalk downs, Oxford and Kimmeridge Clays in the vales, and the sands and gravels of the Poole basin. Clay vales can shrink and swell, and parts of the coast are known for landslip. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
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.
How do I know if a lintel has failed?
The most common sign is a diagonal or stepped crack running up from the top corner of a window or door. Others include a dip in the brickwork above, rust or rot visible at the lintel edge, and windows that start to stick. A crack alone can have other causes, so it is worth checking.
Other structural repairs in Ferndown
- Floor joist repairs
- Extension pulling away repairs
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Wall tie replacement
- Subsidence repairs
Lintel replacement near Ferndown
Send photos of the cracked or sagging opening at your Ferndown home for a free initial assessment and an honest view on the lintel.