Who installs a lintel?

Lintels are needed in some structures, especially when the building that is planned to be constructed is expected to carry heavy loads and is for commercial use. Of course, lintels come in different sizes and can be made of various materials that will suit what they will be used for and can be placed even in residential buildings.



If you need to have one installed, you may be wondering who to call to have a lintel placed in your home, office, or store. After all, lintels are supposed to support your building, and having one installed haphazardly will be useless. To guarantee quality work, you will need to call a professional to do it.

Who exactly installs a lintel?

Beams that are installed in your structure mainly to support and distribute the weight are usually called a lintel. Placing lintels is a usual job for a contractor, and it would be better if the contractor is also knowledgeable in masonry. This is because they should know which walls in your home or office are load-bearing or non-load-bearing, which is very important before having a lintel installed. Load-bearing walls carry weight while non-load-bearing walls stand on their own and are often used for decoration purposes.

Though many people say a general handyman can do it, it would be best to ask your contractor whether they also do masonry work and have installed lintels before. It can never hurt to make sure that the people you are hiring know what to do to avoid doubled costs in the future.

Can you install a lintel yourself?

If you are asking whether you can install a lintel on your own, the answer would be yes. However, if it is your first time, relying on some websites and YouTube tutorials may not be a great idea. If the question is, “Can you install a lintel by yourself while guaranteeing a successful finished project?” then our answer is probably not.



In this day and age, it is normal to want to do everything by yourself for economic purposes. In any case, who would not want to save money that would be used to pay for contractors? DIY or Do It Yourself projects are great, but you would not want to do it on anything that can compromise your and your family’s safety. To avoid having problems with your building in the future, the best thing you can do is get the help of a contractor.

Do you need a professional to have a lintel installed?

We understand how daunting it can be to hire a contractor, especially for people who do not have a big budget. This being said, homeowners are hesitant because they think contractors charge an arm and a leg for projects, but that is simply not true. In fact, many contractors offer reasonable rates that will fit their client’s budgets.


When you do not want to hire a contractor because of the expense, just think about the rate you will have to pay when you install a lintel that should bear a load, but is not serving its purpose because it was not placed properly. Having a lintel that is not functioning how it is supposed to can be detrimental to your building.


When you hire a contractor, you do not just pay for their labor, but also for their knowledge and experience. Expert laborers have been installing lintels for many years, and know what materials must be used and how they should be placed. In some cases, installing a lintel can be tricky and difficult, especially when a project is larger in scale. Hiring a contractor can make you feel at ease because you know and can actually guarantee that they will do a great job for your building.

What are the benefits of having one?

Lintels can offer property owners so many benefits that when they are installed, can make their building a safer place to work and live in. These beams are usually placed above openings such as a door, window, or fireplace as these holes are hollow and will need to be supported from above to prevent the weight above from falling. Lintels can also assist the building and influence how cracks will appear in the long run to make it easier to repair.


Although lintels are very functional, who says they can’t be used for aesthetic purposes? In fact, lintels are also used by designers and architects as decorations because of their appeal. When you are having one installed, tell your contractor what you will use it for.

How long does a lintel last?

Depending on the material used to make your lintel, they can easily last for several years. Lintels can be made of stone, wood, still, and many more. Some materials would last long if they are compatible with the certain structure and weather of the area that they will be placed. For example, using a wooden lintel for your home that is constantly exposed to moisture will not be wise, and it would be much better to use a stainless steel one instead. Before having one placed, it would be best to ask your contractor about their opinion and their suggestions.



There are several factors that can affect the price of having a lintel installed. Some materials such as stone can be very expensive, and it is up to you to decide whether it will be worth it. If you need the lintel for its functions, contractors would usually recommend using steel. Ask around for contractors near you for their price quotation before starting the project.

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