One thing after another, No lintels fitted for new windows i think?

[W.olly]

Well just got home after Malbern windows have been to inspect for new windows to be fitted next month and the chap said they cant fit new windows as there are no lintles fitted and they charge £150 per meter, which i find ridiculous...is it ? I have a had a look and cant see where he has looked to inspect for for them, in the down stairs window nothing has been touched/removed a sin morter or brick but the upstairs has some silicone missing thats all. Bathroom doesnt look to be of touched either like the downstairs
This is a second set form ne win a 45 year old ex council house. The ones fitted now are UPVC.

I just dont want to be ripped off, if they are correct then it what is is and another £700 odd, but £150 pm seems steep ?

Pics to have a look if need be., the bathroom is wooden and we think original window. other were fitted 16 years ago.

 

[dieselsamurai]

my friends a window fitter and helped him on many a job very very rare my way to find no lintel fitted when there is brickwork ontop , its it solid on the intnal side ? id be suprised no cracks if lintel not there

having said that 2 windows in my house had been replaced but there were lintels however the window was supporting them and the wall plate above

lots of cracking gave it away

 

[Pete.]

The top one might well have the bricks built on the timber frame but I have demolished those type to find a single angle iron holding the bricks.

 

[bigegg]

£150 a meter is not unreasonable tbh.
I paid 350 for a lintel fitted above an 8ft french door.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Open up the inside and have a look. Only way to be sure.

 

[Rig Pig]

I feel your pain, I have 3 Windows and a door without lintels, another little job to do! While you're doing yours I'd repoint too some of your morter has seen better days.

 

[rtbcomp]

Are there Catnic lintels fitted? You may not see these from the outside.

 

[addjunkie]

Open up the inside and have a look. Only way to be sure.

Thats what Id do, but at 150 per meter, there gambling on what a can of worms they open up. Another way is a 6 or 8 mm drill and probe o see if there is any steel, small holes are easy to fill.

 

[bigegg]

did the surveyor possibly use a metal detector?
even a concrete lintel has rebar.

 

[Tifa]

Agree with bigegg.
Get a metal detector in there.

 

[W.olly]

Open up the inside and have a look. Only way to be sure.

Its what i said i would be better doing to find out for sure, we will be redecorating etc etc soon after aswell so no big deal. I was thinking on removing a brick on the outside first so see.

I feel your pain, I have 3 Windows and a door without lintels, another little job to do! While you're doing yours I'd repoint too some of your morter has seen better days.

Yes well spotted on repointing, another job on the list but last one after the rest of the house as it all needs doing really.

Are there Catnic lintels fitted? You may not see these from the outside.

Anothe thing i though but i was told that 16 year ago they wouldnt of been used as its a newish thing ?

did the surveyor possibly use a metal detector?
even a concrete lintel has rebar.

The wife was here and she said she just heard a lot of knocking going on.

So the £150PM is a fair price then. I will make sure thats it though and no more hidden extras as they have already taken 20% deposit of the agreed sum for windows fitted.

They are going to call me tomorrow to tell the outcome of there findings. I will just barter them down a bit. Its near 50% more than the whole fitted price they have quoated for the front and door. Bit peved as that has come out the driveway money now, but hey ho if needs must.

And its then done to building regs as they say.

cheers guys

 

[W.olly]

OOooo i just remembered that one of the lads at work does metal detecting as a hobby.

 

[brightspark]

just drill in over the window with a masonary drill under bottom brick. if its steel it wont drill if just cement it will go through

 

[rtbcomp]

Anothe thing i though but i was told that 16 year ago they wouldnt of been used as its a newish thing ?

...

Catnic started up in 1969 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catnic

 

[W.olly]

just drill in over the window with a masonary drill under bottom brick. if its steel it wont drill if just cement it will go through

This will only work if its a RSJ or Catnic though wont it ?

If it is any less then do you thin they will want to fit a new one still ? Say a flat steel plate in there and angle iron.

 

[Pete.]

Looking at the pic again the bottom edge of the soldiers is mid-way between two mortar joints so that's probably the give-away for the surveyor.

 

[dieselsamurai]

For top windows is only holding the soldier course above it i would think just a steel plate, I would want to know whats inside as that is taking the weight of the wall plate. If the innner reveal (above window) is solid there must be a lintel, if its a catnic then drilling overhead should hit metal

 

[dieselsamurai]

Looking at the pic again the bottom edge of the soldiers is mid-way between two mortar joints so that's probably the give-away for the surveyor.

thats the only thing that looks dodgy and hints at no lintel on outside tbh

 

[brightspark]

my upstairs windows are wood and just 2 rows of bricks on top. the inner wall has concrete lintels fitted that holds the roof up wouldn't be much good if changed to plastic your top windows probably the same . dig a hole in plaster inside house just above window and it will confirm what's there

 

[addjunkie]

You could....push your luck when he rings you.

" youve taken my 20% based on the price we agreed to do a job. Now you want more money as you didnt price it properly. Ill have my deposit back please, as I cant afford any extra".

Sit back and see what he says......stick to your guns and keep saying but I cant afford it. Jan and Feb are very quiet times in home improvment.

Get your money back and do the windows yourself, easy enough. Even fitting lintels isnt difficult, just have some slate o hand when you find its not level