Opening a door or window in a wall

Opening a door or window in a wall — Benin

Creating a passage between two rooms, adding a window for more light or widening an existing door: cutting through a wall is masonry work that needs preparation. How the wall above the opening holds depends on the lintel and, for a load-bearing wall, on a prior assessment. On Helplease, you describe your project and the workers offering this service in Benin are notified of your request.

Work covered

• Creating a doorway in a partition or wall.
• Creating a window in an exterior wall.
• Widening an existing door or window.
• Serving hatch, niche or opening between two rooms.

Depending on what you agree with the worker, the job can include marking out, temporary propping, fitting a lintel, cutting the wall, making good the reveals and sill, and removing rubble. Fitting the door or window itself may fall under other services in the catalogue.

Key points

Load-bearing wall

Opening a load-bearing wall changes how loads are carried through the building. The size of the opening and the reinforcement must be defined by a qualified professional before work starts.

The lintel

Even in a partition, an opening needs a lintel suited to its width to support the wall above.

Permissions

A new window on a façade or a major change may require authorisation or the agreement of the building's co-owners. Check before starting.

Dimensions

If the door or window has already been chosen, give its exact dimensions: the opening is sized to the unit to be fitted.

What affects the price

• the width and height of the opening;
• the wall's material and thickness;
• whether it is load-bearing and the reinforcement needed;
• the type of lintel;
• finishing around the opening;
• rubble removal and access.

The rate is agreed with the worker based on these elements.

Frequently asked questions

Can any wall be opened?

A non-load-bearing partition, generally yes. For a load-bearing wall, a prior assessment determines whether and how the opening is possible.

Does the worker also fit the door?

That is to be agreed. Say whether you expect only the opening or also fitting the joinery.

Is finishing included?

Making good the edges is often included, but plaster and paint should be specified in the request.

What information should I give?

The desired dimensions, the wall involved (interior or exterior), its thickness if known, the floor level and the planned door or window.