Repointing can transform your property, rejuvenating the look of old mortar and brickwork. Whether it’s a single wall, or a whole house, knowing the costs in advance allows you to plan ahead and budget for any extra expenses.
To get the most accurate quotes from local bricklayers, be sure to have a clear idea of exactly what you want. Below, we’ve looked at the costs you might expect.
We'll cover the following topics in this pricing guide:
- Average repointing costs
- How much does repointing cost?
- How long does repointing take?
- How to reduce repointing costs
- FAQ
- Your repointing checklist
Average repointing costs
If you’re worried about issues such as damp, or want to weatherproof your home, repointing can be an excellent way to secure your property. If your property is older, then replacing brick mortar can also improve the look of your home.
Below, we’ve outlined the cost of repointing your home across a range of different tasks and scales. These prices are all averages, so if you want more detailed breakdowns of costs, keep reading.
| Repointing task | Average cost range |
|---|---|
| Repointing a brick wall | £50 to £60 |
| Repointing a stone wall | £60 to £100 |
| Repointing front or side of a house | £1,500 to £2,200 |
| Repointing a semi-detached house | £4,000 to £5,000 |
| Repointing a chimney | £500 to £1,000 |
| Repointing a roof | £500 to £2,000 |
| Repointing a patio | £10 to £20 |
How much does repointing cost?
The average repointing cost is £55 per m². Although this is the average, repointing costs can vary based on the condition of masonry, materials, scaffolding, pointing style, waste disposal and whether raking out is required.
The condition of masonry
If there are existing issues in your brickwork, which require bricks to be repaired or replaced, this will increase the costs of repointing. Bricklayers can use a process called brickwork stitching, which allows bricks to be repaired without the cost of replacement.
Materials
Depending on your property, you’ll need to use different mortars. For example, in an older property, lime-based mortar is recommended as this allows the walls to ‘breathe’, avoiding damp and damage from weather conditions. Based on this, prices will vary based on which materials are used.
Scaffolding
If a bricklayer is working on upper levels and roofs, scaffolding will be needed. Scaffolding usually costs between £15 and £25 per m².
Pointing style
The pointing style you choose will affect the cost of repointing. Some styles, such as tuckpointing, are visually appealing, but require much more time and effort, leading to higher expense. You can talk through which of the different styles might be suited to your needs and budget with your local bricklayer.
Waste Disposal
Often, repointing requires you to remove old mortar and damaged brickwork. Make sure to check that waste disposal is included in the price of repointing.
Raking out
When repointing, you’ll need to clear out old mortar to ensure the new mortar can be effective. While repointing can be applied in small areas that are particularly damaged, it usually requires a whole wall’s mortar to be cleared out and replaced. This will usually cost between £20 and £50 per m².
If you’re concerned about whether how any of these factors will affect the price of repointing, you can always talk through your quote with a local bricklayer.
Cost of repointing a brick wall
The cost of repointing usually depends on the size of your wall and the number of walls being repointed. Generally, you can expect to pay £50 to £60 per m².
Cost of repointing a stone wall
The cost of repointing stonework can vary widely. This is due to the different designs and forms of stone walling available. For example, if a stone wall follows the typical structure of a brick wall, many of the same, simple techniques used on brick can be applied. However, if your stonework uses rubble stones or follows a complex pattern, it will require more time to remove old mortar and apply new mortar in lines that aren’t straight or follow unusual designs.
A common repointing style used for stonework is tuckpointing. Tuckpointing uses two contrasting colours to alter the appearance of mortar joints. While this is more expensive, it can refresh the look of your stonework and prevent weather damage.
The average cost for repointing stonework is £80 per m². For specific costs of different repointing styles, speak to a local bricklayer.
Repointing the front or side of a house
For repointing the front or side of a house, this will usually cost between £1,500 and £2,200.
When repointing your home, bricklayers may need to access the higher levels via scaffolding. This could add an additional cost, so be sure to consider what is included in your quote.
Repointing a semi-detached house
The cost of repointing a semi-detached house usually includes the cost of labour, materials and access equipment required.
For a semi-detached house, you can expect to pay £4,000 to £5,000.
Repointing a chimney
A chimney is a quaint addition to your home but can be badly damaged by weather conditions. When repointing a chimney, waterproof sealants are used to avoid cracking brickwork, and to protect against water damage.
On average, repointing a chimney costs between £500 and £1,000, excluding the cost of scaffolding.
Repointing a roof
Roof repointing can include tasks such as replacing sections of old tiles and repointing ridge edges. Mortar helps hold tiles in place and needs replacing over time to ensure structural integrity.
The cost of repointing a roof can range from £500 to £2,000.
Repointing a patio
Repointing a patio or driveway helps deter weeds and fixes cracks in existing mortar. Repointing a patio involves removing mortar, cleaning the space and then refilling it. Driveway or patio repointing usually involves resin or polymeric mortar.
Repointing a patio will usually cost between £10 and £20 per m². However, if paving slabs are damaged or loose, these will need to be laid again, adding an extra cost on top of repointing.
Additional repointing costs
While most of your costs should be covered, an additional cost that could be added is for scaffolding and accessibility equipment. Scaffolding is essential for working at heights and will need to be used for all work on roofs or upper levels.
The average cost of scaffolding is £15 to £25 per m².
How long does repointing take?
Before hiring a bricklayer, it’s important to understand how long repointing tasks can take. This is because certain repointing tasks, such as repointing a roof or a chimney, will affect access to your home through equipment such as scaffolding.
Below, we’ve broken down the expected timescales for repointing tasks.
| Repointing task | Average time taken |
|---|---|
| Repointing a brick wall | One to two days |
| Repointing a stone wall | One to two days |
| Repointing the front or side of a house | Two to three days |
| Repointing a semi-detached house | Six days |
| Repointing a chimney | A day or less |
| Repointing a roof | Two to three days |
| Repointing a patio | A day or less |
How to reduce repointing costs
Want to refresh your brickwork on a budget? Below, we talk you through some ways to reduce costs when repointing your property.
Understand when your property needs repointing
Although repointing is an important task to protect your property from water damage and brickwork cracking, it isn’t always necessary. Generally, its recommended to inspect your brickwork every five years, and consider repointing every 15 to 20 years.
A sure sign you need to prioritise repointing is if you see gaps in your brickwork and mortar. Gaps in your wall will allow water to leak into your home, which could be expensive to resolve.
Choose cheaper repointing options
Repointing can cost more if you’re relying on complex, intricate pointing styles. When choosing the repointing styles you’d like, be sure to choose the cheaper options, which take less time and therefore cost less. Flush pointing is the cheapest form of repointing available and is ideal if you’re sticking to a budget.
Repoint small sections
If repointing a whole wall or property is too expensive, you can choose to repoint a smaller section. This way, you can target areas of concern, and you can protect against weather damage in the short term.
Hire a professional
While it may be tempting to save money by completing repointing by yourself, this can often lead to higher costs in the future. Instead, by hiring a qualified, local bricklayer, you can ensure the job is done effectively, without the added cost of fixing any mistakes or paying for repeated repointing projects.
FAQ
How do I know if my walls need repointing?
If you’re considering getting your walls repointed, some clear signs to look out for are gaps in the mortar. If you see gaps, this can be resolved through repairing and replacing your mortar.
What happens if I don’t repoint my property?
If you notice holes or gaps in your mortar, and delay repointing, this will cause further damage through moisture leaking into your house’s joints. This could lead to bricks eroding and can cause an even more expensive project long term.
What steps are involved in repointing?
The repointing process is very labour intensive, and requires a variety of steps:
- Before repointing can begin, its necessary to check the weather. If its below freezing, or raining, then repointing work needs to be postponed.
- Next, bricklayers will search for problem areas that need fixing.
- The wall will then be cleaned and any plants or obstructions will be removed.
- The current mortar will then be removed top to bottom (this is raking).
- The area will then be sprayed with water to stop mortar drying and cracking.
- The mortar will be prepared so that it matches the necessary colour and strength. Mortar will then be applied to gaps.
- The excess will be removed using a wire brush, and all surfaces will be smoothed.
Can I repoint my property myself?
Although repointing may seem straightforward, it can be easy to make mistakes without proper knowledge and experience. If you complete repointing yourself, you risk making moisture and damp problems worse. In fact, if you complete a repointing project poorly, this could lower the value of your home.
Overall, its best to hire a skilled professional for the job. This will avoid any mistakes and will save you money in the long term.
Your repointing checklist
Plan beforehand: When considering a repointing project, make sure to plan ahead and consider what extra costs might be necessary. If you live in an older house, then its likely that repointing could be extensive and time consuming. Equally, if there are areas in your house thar need repointing desperately, be sure to flag this to your local bricklayer so they can prioritise that area.
Check what suits your situation: be sure to assess your property’s current state and consider what the areas are that need the most attention.
Calculate your budget/additional costs: If you’re cautious about spending money on repointing, then be sure to get exact breakdowns of how much it’s going to cost. Also, look out for potential additional costs, such as scaffolding, which could impact your spending.
Get quotes from several bricklayers: If you’re looking to save, be sure to shop around and compare quotes from a range of local tradespeople. Through MyBuilder, you can contact local tradespeople, view job histories and compare quotes, all on one website.
Hire a professional: Although it may be tempting to attempt repointing yourself, it’s best to hire a professional. Repointing is a highly specialised task and needs to be done by a qualified bricklayer to avoid further costly problems long term.
Need to find a reliable bricklayer for your next repointing project? MyBuilder can help. Simply create your free job post, and our website will match you to reliable, qualified tradespeople in your area.