Edinburgh · Edinburgh and the Lothians
Lintel replacement in Edinburgh
For a failed lintel in Edinburgh, 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£710per opening inc VAT
- Postcodes
- EH1, EH2, EH3
- Population
- about 510,000
- Area
- Edinburgh and the Lothians
- Pricing region
- Scotland
What is the ground like in Edinburgh and the Lothians?
Edinburgh, Edinburgh and the Lothians: about 510,000 residents across postcode districts EH1, EH2, EH3. Neighbouring towns we cover: Musselburgh (6 miles), Bonnyrigg (6 miles) and Mayfield (8 miles).
Most of Edinburgh and the Lothians is on firmer ground than the clay belts of the south-east. Parts of Edinburgh and the Lothians lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Across Edinburgh and the Lothians, most homes are sandstone tenements and Georgian terraces, miners' rows, bungalows and post-war estates.
Lintel replacement prices in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh we use Scotland 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 | £710 – £2,400 | per opening |
| Wide or bay openingest. | £1,900 – £4,300 | per opening |
| Making good inside and outest. | £140 – £570 | 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
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
What happens during lintel replacement, step by step?
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.
What to look for before calling about lintel replacement
- Window or door frames that have started to bind or distort
- Brickwork above an opening visibly dipping in the middle
- A diagonal crack climbing away from a window head
Rules for lintel replacement in Scotland
In Scotland, underpinning and other structural alterations generally need a building warrant from the council’s building standards service before work starts, and a completion certificate at the end; small like-for-like repairs often do not. There is no Party Wall Act in Scotland; shared walls are covered by title deeds and, for flats, the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004.
Questions about lintel replacement in Edinburgh
How much will lintel replacement cost in Edinburgh?
Guide prices for lintel replacement in Edinburgh start from about £710 per opening, including VAT, on Scotland rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Do you cover Edinburgh?
Yes, Edinburgh is covered, along with postcode districts EH1, EH2, EH3. We also cover nearby Musselburgh and Bonnyrigg.
Is the ground in Edinburgh and the Lothians prone to subsidence?
Edinburgh is volcanic and sedimentary rock with glacial till, while the Midlothian and East Lothian coalfields and oil-shale workings in West Lothian have left recorded mine workings and bings. 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.
Other structural repairs in Edinburgh
- Bay window subsidence repairs
- Mining subsidence repairs
- Gable end wall repairs
- Roof structure repairs
- Brick arch repairs
Lintel replacement near Edinburgh
You will get a no-obligation written quote for each Edinburgh lintel, splitting out the lintel itself, the propping and the making good.