How Much Does Door or Window Lintel Replacement Cost in 2025?
Door or window lintel replacement costs an average of $460
Replacing lintels ensures doors and windows remain structurally sound.
Lintel replacement costs range from $280 to $640, with an average of $460.
Major cost factors include location, size, quality, and materials, which impact per linear foot pricing.
Timely repairs prevent more extensive structural damage and maintain home value.
This article was created using automation technology and thoroughly fact-checked and edited by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Keeping the lintels over your doors and windows in good shape is key to your home’s structure. Most homeowners spend about $460 on a replacement, with typical bills landing between $280 and $640 but sometimes as low as $200 or as high as $800. Your final price depends on factors like location, size, quality, and the rate per linear foot. Because lintels can wear out every few decades, schedule routine inspections and set aside a maintenance budget to avoid bigger structural headaches later.
Lintel Replacement Cost Factors
How much you’ll pay to replace your door or window lintel depends on several essential factors, including labor and your wall or lintel’s existing condition.
Wall Condition
Your pro will first assess the condition of your wall to determine how difficult it will be to access and remove the lintel. They'll check for any cracks or structural issues that might require additional repairs, which could increase your overall costs.
Window or Door Condition
Your pro will also inspect the current condition of your door or window. If there are issues or damages, it might add to the overall cost of the project, as additional repairs or adjustments could be needed.
Lintel Condition
If your lintel is sagging or has significant deterioration, it could make the replacement more complex and increase the total cost. Severe damage might require extra care during removal and installation.
Labor
You can expect to pay between $45 and $60 per hour for a professional to replace your lintel. If you're replacing a brick lintel, a local brick mason will charge an average of $70 per hour. The final labor cost depends on who you hire and the specifics of your project.
Lintel Replacement Cost by Material
Here’s a breakdown of how much a lintel replacement will cost on average by material.
| Material | Cost per Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| Brick | $25–$45 |
| Concrete | $20–$40 |
| Steel | $30–$60 |
| Wood | $15–$35 |
Brick
If your opening is under three feet, a brick lintel can do the job while matching the surrounding wall. Expect to pay about $25 to $45 per linear foot for a replacement.
Concrete
Concrete lintels handle heavier loads and adapt to almost any size or shape. They’re a durable pick for coastal or humid regions. Plan on spending $20 to $40 per linear foot.
Steel
Steel lintels tackle wide openings and heavy loads with ease. They resist rust and erosion, so you’ll likely replace them less often. Budget $30 to $60 per linear foot.
Wood
Wood lintels—usually oak, hickory, or walnut—deliver a classic look and often show up in older homes. Replacements run about $15 to $35 per linear foot, depending on the species you choose.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Swapping out a lintel looks simple, but it’s safer to let a pro handle the heavy lifting. The beam supports part of your wall, and a misstep can turn into a far costlier repair. Pros arrive with the right gear, know how to shore up the opening, and finish the job quickly. Hiring a door or window repair pro keeps your project safe, code-compliant, and stress-free.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most homeowners’ policies won’t pay to replace a lintel that’s simply worn out. Insurers treat gradual deterioration as a maintenance issue you’re expected to handle, not a sudden, covered loss. Review your policy’s exclusions, and schedule routine inspections so you can catch cracks before they widen into costlier repairs. Addressing problems early protects both your budget and your home’s structural safety.
A well-installed lintel can last up to 60 years, but its lifespan depends on material, climate, and upkeep. Steel or concrete generally outlive wood, especially in wet or salty environments. Regularly checking for rust, cracks, or sagging and sealing gaps can help your lintel reach its full life expectancy. When in doubt, have a pro evaluate any signs of wear.
Both window and door lintels do the same job—supporting the wall above the opening—but they’re sized for the span they cover. Because door and garage openings are typically taller and wider than windows, they may call for a stronger or thicker beam. A qualified contractor can look at your framing and recommend the right lintel for each spot.
Minor cracks or slight sagging can sometimes be fixed by adding steel reinforcement plates or brackets that shore up the existing beam. When a lintel is severely corroded, cracked through, or no longer bearing weight, full replacement is usually the safest route. A structural pro will inspect the damage, explain the pros and cons of reinforcement versus replacement, and quote the costs for each approach.
Several specialty kits are designed to brace a sagging lintel, including systems like Lintel Lift that use steel beams for long-term support. Your contractor can tell you whether a proprietary kit or a custom steel reinforcement will work best for the opening, based on the load and the condition of the surrounding masonry. Either way, professional installation is essential to make sure the beam carries the intended weight.
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