Do I have lintels above these windows?

[jbolo]

I am looking to install new aluminium windows and have been asked if the windows have lintels. Its an eighties extension I think. However I have no idea if they have lintels or not. Do I need to get a builder in to open up the brick work to take a look? Its the front window and side,not the French doors. Thanks

 

[^woody^]

No external lintel

 

[crank39]

No external lintels just a cast in situ concrete lintel on the inner skin, judging by the crittal frames if it is an extension then more 40's than 80's

 

[jbolo]

Thank you for your reply. The company that supply and fit the aluminium windows send a surveryor to do the measurements for the new window, charging £300, but can't say if I have a lintel or not. As you say I will require an external lintel I guess I will need to ask the company what type. As I am basically being told this is a job I need to do before they will supply and fit. How do I go about it? Also any idea of what I should expect to pay. I have not gone cheap and kind of suprised the very basics not being explained. The window is aluminium push out with a lower handle and approx 30kg. I could get a builder and just buy the window, but then the company would not be liabel and I would prefer to get them done by the suppliers of the window in all honesty

 

[^woody^]

No-one should be charging anything to measure up, let alone £300.

I would have thought that any good firm that fits windows would know of, or use, in-house or external contractors to do any structural works related to the frame fitting. You could specify that as a requirement, and if the firm can't meet that requirement, find one that can.

Otherwise it's a general builder's job and you'll need to go about the usual process of getting quotes, and comparing like-for-like quotes.