Brick lintel replacement typically costs $700-$2,500 for one standard window opening, with a national average near $1,400. The final price depends on opening width, steel condition, brick removal and repair, access, and whether the wall needs temporary structural support.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single brick lintel replacement | $500 | $1,400 | $2,500 | Standard window opening; includes typical masonry restoration |
| Lintel material | $75 | $225 | $600 | Price varies by length, steel type, and corrosion protection |
| Labor | $300 | $850 | $1,600 | Usually one mason and a helper for one to two days |
| Brick and mortar repair | $100 | $350 | $900 | Higher if matching brick is difficult to source |
| Structural support or access | $0 | $250 | $1,000 | May include shoring, lift rental, or difficult access |
What a Standard Window Lintel Replacement Costs
For a typical 3- to 6-foot-wide window opening in a one- or two-story brick home, expect a total quote of $700-$2,500. About $1,400 is a practical planning average for replacement of a corroded steel angle, removal of several courses of brick, installation, and repointing. Quotes assume sound surrounding masonry and ordinary ground-level access.
Small openings with limited brick damage may cost $500-$900. A wider opening, upper-story work, or extensive masonry restoration can push the total to $2,500-$5,000 or more. Costs are higher when the wall needs engineered shoring, the lintel supports a heavy masonry load, or the original brick cannot be matched readily.
For budgeting, use roughly $200-$500 per linear foot of opening as a broad installed range, not a fixed rate. The minimum charge for mobilizing a masonry crew makes short lintels comparatively expensive per foot. Assumptions: U.S. pricing, standard steel lintel, normal access, and localized brick repair.
How Steel, Masonry Labor, and Shoring Shape the Quote
A replacement estimate combines the lintel itself with the work needed to expose it, support the wall, install the new piece, and restore the brickwork. Ask whether the quote includes mortar cleanup and disposal, since those items may be listed separately.
| Quote component | Typical price | What it covers | Common cost driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel lintel | $75-$600 per piece | Angle iron or fabricated steel sized to the opening | Length, steel thickness, coating, and custom fabrication |
| Removal and installation labor | $300-$1,600 | Brick removal, fitting, and lintel placement | Opening width, access, and crew hours |
| Temporary support | $0-$1,000 | Shoring or bracing while masonry is opened | Wall load and engineer or contractor requirements |
| Brick and mortar restoration | $100-$900 | Replacing brick and repointing joints | Repair area and brick availability |
| Equipment and disposal | $50-$400 | Small tools, haul-away, or lift rental | Story height and debris volume |
Labor and masonry restoration often account for more of the bill than the steel angle. Labor commonly runs $50-$100 per worker-hour, although contractor minimums and local rates can make the effective hourly cost higher.
Opening Width, Steel Size, and Rust Change the Price
Lintel length is a major price driver, but it is not simply the width of the window. The replacement must provide adequate bearing at both ends, and the required steel size depends on the masonry load and opening. A 3-foot opening may need a simpler piece than a 7-foot span beneath a heavy brick wall.
As a rough planning distinction, a lintel up to about 4 feet wide may fit the lower end of standard pricing if surrounding brick is intact. Openings over 6 feet often require heavier or custom steel and more careful support, putting labor and materials toward the high end. A contractor should size the lintel for the actual wall and load rather than copy dimensions without verification.
Surface rust is not always the only issue. Expansion from deeply corroded steel can crack mortar joints and push brick outward. If damage extends more than 2-3 feet beyond the opening, restoration may add $300-$1,500 or more. Upper-story work can add $200-$800 for staging or lift access, while tight interior or exterior access can increase labor time.
Get a written scope that identifies the opening width, lintel dimensions, bearing length, and area of brick repair. These details make competing bids easier to compare and help reveal whether one estimate excludes structural support or finish work.
Keep the Replacement Scope Limited to Damaged Masonry
The most reliable savings come from agreeing on the repair boundary before work starts. If the lintel is failing but nearby brick remains sound, replacing only the affected steel and the necessary masonry can avoid an unnecessary façade rebuild. Conversely, patching cracks without correcting a rusted lintel may lead to repeat repairs.
Ask contractors to separate the lintel installation, brick replacement, repointing, shoring, and equipment charges. That breakdown shows whether a quote includes the full repair and lets the owner compare material and labor choices. A very low price may omit disposal, matching brick, or temporary support.
Matching salvaged brick or a locally available standard brick can cost less than a custom order, but appearance and durability should be considered. Avoid choosing thinner steel or reducing bearing length solely to lower the quote. If multiple lintels on the same elevation need work, bundling them into one mobilization may reduce per-opening labor and equipment charges.
Compare at least two detailed bids on the same repair scope, not just the headline total. Confirm who obtains permits if required, protects windows and landscaping, and handles mortar cleanup.
How Many Crew Hours Does a Brick Lintel Take
A straightforward ground-level replacement often takes 8-16 crew hours, commonly completed by a mason and helper in one or two workdays. The schedule includes careful brick removal, installation, and restoration; it may not include the time needed for mortar to cure before exposed work is finished or the opening is put under normal load.
More complex work can take 16-32 crew hours or longer when the opening is wide, the wall needs extensive shoring, access requires staging, or brick matching delays completion. A small repair may still carry a half-day or full-day minimum charge because the contractor must transport tools, protect the work area, and mobilize the crew.
Labor estimates should account for setup and masonry restoration, not just the minutes spent placing steel. A quote that lists crew size and anticipated workdays is more useful than an unexplained labor allowance. Typical labor planning rate: $50-$100 per worker-hour, before overhead or minimum charges.
Three Example Quotes for Different Brick Openings
These examples illustrate how scope changes the total. Regional labor, brick availability, wall construction, and contractor pricing can move a real quote outside these ranges.
| Scenario | Scope and labor | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|
| Small ground-floor window | 3-foot standard steel lintel; 8-10 crew hours; limited repointing | $700-$1,100 |
| Typical two-story window | 5-foot steel angle; 12-18 crew hours; shoring and moderate brick repair | $1,400-$2,500 |
| Wide opening with damage | 7-foot custom lintel; 24-32 crew hours; lift access and broader masonry repair | $3,000-$5,000 |
For the typical two-story example, the steel might cost $150-$400, labor $700-$1,500, and support, access, and restoration another $400-$900. The figures are not additive minimums and maximums: contractors may include some items within a combined labor or project charge.
Use the examples as quote-comparison benchmarks, not guaranteed local prices. A contractor’s site inspection is important when cracking, sagging, or displaced brick suggests that the damage extends beyond the lintel.
When Repair Costs Less Than Replacing the Lintel
Repointing minor mortar cracks without replacing steel may cost about $250-$800 for a small localized area, depending on access and the amount of joint repair. This can be appropriate when a qualified inspection finds that the lintel is structurally sound and the cracking is not caused by corrosion or movement.
Replacing the lintel is generally more expensive because brick above the opening must be supported and temporarily removed. Yet a cosmetic patch over an actively rusting lintel can fail again as the steel expands. If the lintel is badly corroded, bowed, or no longer bearing properly, a $700-$2,500 standard replacement may be more economical than repeated crack repairs.
Base the repair-versus-replacement decision on the steel’s condition and the cause of the cracking. For widespread displacement or a long opening, a structural engineer’s assessment may add roughly $300-$800, but it can clarify the required support and lintel size before masonry is disturbed.
Why City Labor and Difficult Access Raise Lintel Prices
Local wages and contractor availability affect the installed price. Large metro areas and high-cost coastal markets may run about 15%-35% above a national planning estimate, while some rural markets may be 10%-20% below it. These are broad differences; a rural area with few masons or a high-cost material delivery can still produce a premium quote.
Access can matter as much as geography. A ground-level opening with space for tools is usually cheaper than an upper-floor opening over a porch or driveway. Lift rental, scaffold setup, protection of nearby finishes, and extra handling can add $200-$1,000, depending on height and site conditions.
Compare bids from contractors who regularly perform structural masonry work in the same local market. Verify that each quote describes the lintel, shoring plan, brick restoration, debris removal, and any engineering or permit fees, so regional price differences are not confused with different project scopes.