Lintel replacement in Yeovil

Postcodes: BA20, BA21
Population: about 50,000
Area: Somerset
Pricing region: South West

Is Somerset prone to ground movement?

Postcode districts BA20, BA21 cover Yeovil, a Somerset town of about 50,000 people. If you are just outside Yeovil, we also cover Dorchester (18 miles), Bridgwater (21 miles) and Taunton (21 miles).

Clay soils are found in parts of Somerset. Parts of Somerset lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Across Somerset, most homes are Bath stone Georgian terraces, Victorian houses in Taunton and Weston-super-Mare, and post-war estates.

What to look for before calling about lintel replacement

Window or door frames that have started to bind or distort
Rust stains or flaking steel showing above the frame
Soft, crumbly timber visible behind the brick face over a bay

Lintel replacement prices in Yeovil

Prices in Yeovil are worked out on South West rates. They include VAT and are a starting point: access, the extent of the damage and whether an engineer or building control is involved all move the figure.

Guide prices inc VAT on South West rates. Items marked est. are our estimates.
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

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

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 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.

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 Yeovil

How much should I budget for lintel replacement in Yeovil?

Guide prices for lintel replacement in Yeovil 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.

Can you survey a property in Yeovil?

We do. Yeovil and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Dorchester and Bridgwater. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.

Why do houses in Somerset crack?

Somerset mixes Lias clays, Mercia Mudstone, limestone hills and the peat and alluvium of the Levels around Bridgwater, which can settle. The former Somerset coalfield around Radstock and Midsomer Norton left recorded workings. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.

Do I need building regulations approval to replace a lintel?

In England and Wales, replacing a lintel is structural work and building control will usually need to approve it. Rules differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland. We deal with building control where the work needs it, and include the cost in the quote.

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.

Related work in Yeovil

Lintel replacement near Yeovil

Our quote tool shows guide prices for a Yeovil lintel replacement; add photos and we can confirm the likely opening size and type.