Lintel replacement in Harrow

Postcodes: HA1, HA2, HA3, HA5, HA6
Population: about 260,000
Area: Greater London
Pricing region: London

Is Greater London prone to ground movement?

Harrow takes in postcode districts including HA1, HA2, HA3, HA5, HA6, with about 260,000 residents. We also take enquiries from nearby Brent (3 miles), Ealing (5 miles) and Borehamwood (5 miles).

Shrinkable clay is widespread in Greater London. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Typical buildings in Greater London: Victorian and Edwardian terraces with shallow footings, inter-war semis in the outer boroughs, and converted flats and mansion blocks.

What to look for before calling about lintel replacement

Rust stains or flaking steel showing above the frame
A diagonal crack climbing away from a window head
Soft, crumbly timber visible behind the brick face over a bay

Lintel replacement prices in Harrow

Guide prices below are for homes in Harrow, on London rates and including VAT. A survey or good photos let us turn them into a fixed written price.

Guide prices inc VAT on London rates. Items marked est. are our estimates.
Item	Guide price	Per
Standard window or door opening	£940 – £3,100	per opening
Wide or bay openingest.	£2,500 – £5,600	per opening
Making good inside and outest.	£190 – £750	per opening

How we usually approach lintel replacement

Propping and needling

Adjustable props carry the wall above while the old lintel comes out. For heavier walls, short steel needles are passed through holes cut above the opening and propped on both sides, taking the load off the lintel completely. The supports stay until the new work has set.

Best for: Openings with heavy walls, upper floors or bay windows above

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.
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.

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 Harrow

How much will lintel replacement cost in Harrow?

Guide prices for lintel replacement in Harrow start from about £940 per opening, including VAT, on London rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.

Do you cover Harrow?

We do. Harrow and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Brent and Ealing. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.

Is the ground in Greater London prone to subsidence?

Most of Greater London sits on London Clay, among the most shrinkage-prone ground in the UK, with river gravels along the Thames. Subsidence claims here are among the most frequent in the country, especially after dry summers and near street and garden trees. 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.

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 Harrow

Lintel replacement near Harrow

You will get a no-obligation written quote for each Harrow lintel, splitting out the lintel itself, the propping and the making good.