How Much Does Door or Window Lintel Replacement Cost? [2025 Data]
The average door or window lintel replacement cost is $460, but it can range between $280 and $640, depending on the material and length.
Door or window lintel replacement costs $460 on average, though it can range between $200 and $800. Many homeowners may have never heard of a lintel, let alone given it much thought. Whether used for decorative or structural purposes, a lintel is an essential part of your windows and doors. Here’s what to know about lintels and what to do if yours needs to be replaced.
Lintel Replacement Cost Factors
While the lintel used to be a decorative piece, it was slowly integrated into modern housing structures to support the weight of the wall above doors and windows. The final cost of a lintel replacement depends on the following key factors.
Labor
A professional can charge anywhere between $45 to $60 per hour for their services as accessibility and safety variables affect the labor cost. A brick mason can give you an estimated quote and assessment for brick or stone materials; the average cost to hire a mason is $70 per hour.
The State and Material of the Wall
Some lintel beams are harder to repair or replace than others. Depending on what is happening with your window or door lintel beam, the following signs may indicate a steeper project cost:
Serious cracks that will need advanced repairs
Beam header is sagging or not
Deteriorating wall materials (a sign that a beam may be rusting and corroding the surrounding area)
The Condition and Age of the Door
A contractor will take into account the current condition of your doors or windows. This may affect the project total depending on their assessment.
The Condition of Your Lintel
Is the lintel falling apart? Is it difficult to remove? The condition and accessibility of the lintel can incur more cost if it requires additional labor and safety precautions.
The Location of Your Lintel
Lintel repair costs vary depending on where the lintel is located. Repairing a lintel in a window cost between $150 and $400 to repair, with labor included. If your lintel is located in a door, the cost to repair a door lintel is slightly higher, closer to the $400 price point. The cost of garage lintel repair has the potential to cost the most, running between $200 and up to $700, depending on the complexity of the repair and how long it takes.
Cost to Replace Lintels by Material
| Material | Average Cost per Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| Steel | $30–$60 |
| Brick | $25–$45 |
| Wood | $15–$35 |
| Concrete | $20–$40 |
| Stone | $25–$75 |
Lintels come in varying materials, such as steel, timber, stone, concrete, or brick. The lintel price ranges from $45 to $300 per piece, yet the material of your lintel determines the cost. Remember that prices are based on linear feet, not the completed piece.
Steel
Houses built in the 1950s and later used metal lintels. Steel lintels are a popular choice for construction and masonry because they are lightweight and easy to customize. This type of lintel can handle bigger openings and heavier loads, so it’s typically on the costlier end of the price spectrum.
Brick
If you have a brick wall surrounding the window or door, the lintel may also be made of reinforced brick. Brick lintels are preferred when the span of the door or window is less than 3 feet long; this type of lintel also integrates better with a brick wall construction than their steel counterparts.
Wood
Commonly found in older houses, wood lintels are made of oak, hickory, or walnut hardwood. The price for a wood lintel depends on the type of wood and averages around $25 to $30 per linear foot.
Concrete
Concrete is a more flexible lintel option than steel and is better for coastal regions where the air may be corrosive to steel beams. Concrete is also less expensive than steel; however, it does not have the same strength-to-weight ratio.
Stone
Even though stone lintels are heavy and not recommended because they can't withstand much pressure, they are still commonly used because of their durability, availability, and aesthetic.
Replacing Lintels Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro
Even if you’re handy, replacing window or door lintels should be done by a pro. It’s easy to cause damage to the existing area, and improperly installed support can have a ripple effect across other load-bearing parts of the wall or house.
You would save around $60 an hour in labor costs but in most cases, it isn’t worth it. There are plenty of other DIY projects that you can do that will teach you more about your house, and won’t be a liability if done improperly.
Ways to Save Money On Replacing Lintels
Window lintel replacements are not terribly expensive to replace so while you’ll find some ideas below, we recommend not offsetting the amount saved with hours of your time. Some ways to save are:
Consider using less expensive or recycled materials.
Add or replace lintels while performing other work on the window or door.
Use discount codes for referrals.
Wait for sales.
Schedule the work when your pro isn’t busy with other projects.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on 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.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you see interior or exterior sagging or cracking above your window or door, a professional should inspect the lintel. These cracks are a sign that the weight of the wall is no longer supported and the lintel is failing. If this is the case, it’s likely that you need to repair or replace it. A pro will be able to tell you which is the best option. If you see these signs, address the home repair immediately because lintels are incredibly important to your home's structural integrity.
Some people opt to use a product known as LintelLift, which is the only patented lintel repair product on the market. The LintelLift system is a garage lintel repair system that uses steel beams that run across the top of a garage door to permanently prevent the lintel from sagging. The system supports both sides of the garage door to help keep the lintel above it strong.
The amount of time window lintels last is based on the environment they’re installed in and the material that’s installed. For example, a steel lintel installed in a temperate climate will always last longer than a wooden or brick lintel installed in an area with tons of rain, snow, and wind. No matter which material you choose or where you live, proper maintenance will ensure your lintels last as long as possible.
