Farnham · Surrey
Lintel replacement in Farnham
For a failed lintel in Farnham, 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£840per opening inc VAT
- Postcodes
- GU9, GU10
- Population
- about 37,000
- Area
- Surrey
- Pricing region
- South East
How do local ground conditions affect lintel replacement in Farnham?
Farnham (GU9, GU10) has around 37,000 residents and sits in Surrey. We also take enquiries from nearby Aldershot (3 miles), Fleet (5 miles) and Farnborough (6 miles).
Shrinkable clay is widespread in Surrey. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Across Surrey, most homes are Victorian and Edwardian villas, 1930s semis and detached houses in the commuter towns, and post-war estates.
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.
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.
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
- Rust stains or flaking steel showing above the frame
- Brickwork above an opening visibly dipping in the middle
- A diagonal crack climbing away from a window head
Lintel replacement prices in Farnham
Guide prices below are for homes in Farnham, on South East rates and including VAT. A survey or good photos let us turn them into a fixed written price.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Standard window or door opening | £840 – £2,800 | per opening |
| Wide or bay openingest. | £2,250 – £5,050 | per opening |
| Making good inside and outest. | £170 – £670 | per opening |
How we usually approach 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
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
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 Farnham
How much will lintel replacement cost in Farnham?
Guide prices for lintel replacement in Farnham start from about £840 per opening, including VAT, on South East rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Do you cover Farnham?
We do. Farnham and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Aldershot and Fleet. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Is the ground in Surrey prone to subsidence?
North Surrey sits on London Clay, the south on Weald Clay, with chalk along the North Downs and sands in the west. Large gardens with mature trees on clay make seasonal subsidence a familiar problem. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
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.
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 Farnham
Lintel replacement near Farnham
Have several failed lintels on one Farnham property? We will price each opening individually so you can plan the work in stages.