How much does repointing cost?

How much does repointing cost?

Repointing is advisable if you see holes and cracks in your brickwork or masonry or if the mortar has eroded significantly.

The cost of repointing varies depending on many factors, which we discuss further, but generally ranges from £20 – 60 per m².

This price includes raking out (removing old mortar) and repointing (applying new mortar).

How much does it cost to repoint a chimney?

A chimney often needs repointing more than other structures as it is completely exposed to wind and rain.

Repointing a chimney costs around £500 – 1,000, depending on its height, size, and accessibility, and can take 1 – 3 days to complete. The quote should include labour, materials, and scaffolding.

You will probably need to factor in scaffolding for this repointing project, which can cost around £180 a day.

Alternative methods, such as cherry pickers, ladders, and rope access techniques, can be used to repoint a chimney without scaffolding. However, because of the risks involved, we recommend hiring a professional.

If you want a long-lasting finish, we recommend that you repoint a chimney during the warmer months.

What is the cost of repointing a roof?

Repointing a roof can cost between £300 and £2,300, but this depends on many factors, such as the size of the roof or which part and how much of it needs repointing.

Parts of the roof that usually need repointing are areas where mortar joints are exposed to the elements and are at risk of weathering or deterioration. These include:

• Ridge tiles: The tiles or slates that run along the apex of the roof.
• Roof verge: The outer edge of a pitched roof where the roof meets the side wall of the building at the gable end.
• Gable end: The vertical triangular wall section at the end of a pitched roof, where the two roof slopes meet.

Repointing these parts of the roof helps maintain the roof’s structural integrity and prevents water from entering, which can lead to internal damage and dampness.

Repointing ridge tiles cost

The approximate cost to repoint ridge tiles is £300 – 800, depending on the number of tiles. This cost includes materials and labour.

Repointing gable end cost

Repointing the gable end costs between £750 – 1,500 for a medium-sized gable end.

Cost of repointing roof verge

The cost to repoint a roof verge may range from £300 – 700, depending on the length of the verges, accessibility, and any additional work required (such as tile replacement).

You can install plastic dry verges instead of repointing your roof verge. Repointing will initially be cheaper, but dry verge systems are more durable and should last longer.

You will need to factor in scaffolding costs, too.

The bricklayer will need to assess the damage before providing a repointing quote. Hopefully, your roof needs just repointing, not a whole new one, as a new pitched roof can cost upwards of £5,000.

What is the cost of repointing a house?

The cost to repoint a house ranges from £30 – 60 per square metre. However, the total cost depends on various factors, such as the size of the house, the type of mortar used, the condition of the mortar, and where you live.

Below are approximate prices for houses of different sizes.

You might only need to repoint some of the house so ensure the tradesperson checks the house and quotes for replacing areas where the pointing is loose or damaged. Removing any solid and undamaged mortar can damage the brick.

What is the cost of repointing a brick wall?

The cost of repointing a brick wall is approximately £20 – 60 m². This price will depend on the size, condition of the existing mortar, accessibility, and location, which we will discuss in more detail later.

A small garden wall, for instance, will cost between £150 and £600, whereas a brick wall of a house will cost much more (see above).

If any bricks are damaged and need replacing, this will cost £10 – 20 per brick.

What is the cost of repointing a stone wall?

The cost of repointing a stone wall is £60 – 100 per m².

Repointing a stone wall is generally more expensive than repointing a brick wall for the following reasons:

• Stones are irregular in shape and size: This makes removing old mortar and applying new mortar much more time-consuming and labour-intensive. Brick walls, however, are uniform in size and shape.
• Requires an experienced bricklayer: Stone walls, especially those in older buildings, require lime mortar and specific techniques to match the original construction.

What is the cost of repointing a patio?

If your patio or driveway has weeds or loose or uneven paving slabs, it needs repointing. Repointing will help with drainage, improve its appearance, and prolong its lifespan.

The average cost of repointing a patio is between £10 and £20 per square metre.

Factors that affect the cost of repointing

Location

Where you live can affect the cost of repointing. Bricklayers in London and the south-east are more expensive than those in the north.

Whether the area needs raking out

Before repointing, any old mortar needs to be removed, a process called ‘raking out’. Bricklayers usually charge around £20 – 45 to do this, but it is often included in the repointing quote.

It is possible to do it yourself to cut costs, but ensure you know what you’re doing first, as you don’t want to damage any brick or stone.

Size of the area

The wall, house, or patio size will increase the labour and material costs.

The complexity of the job

Complicated shapes laid out in an irregular pattern, such as stones, will increase labour time and cost.

Condition of the surface

The cost will increase if the wall, chimney, or roof surface is in poor condition and needs additional repairs.

Bricklayer’s experience and expertise

It is important to hire a professional because poorly done work or the use of the wrong materials can damage the brickwork or stone and may be difficult to repair.

For older buildings, especially those that need lime-based mortar, you must hire an experienced bricklayer and expect to pay more for them.

Accessibility

If scaffolding is required to repoint a house or high walls, then this will increase the repointing cost.

Scaffolding can add anywhere between £180 – 1,500 depending on the job size and complexity.

Type of mortar

Builders often use lime-based mortar to repoint older buildings, such as Edwardian houses, because it is more compatible with the original construction materials.

The cost of lime mortar repointing is usually higher than cement-based mortar repointing used in modern buildings.

Type of pointing

Different types of pointing styles are available to suit the condition of your building and your desired look.

However, which type of pointing you choose can affect the labour cost.

Here are just some examples:

• Bucket handle: This is used for brick pointing, creating a curved, semicircular groove in the mortar joint. It’s popular for new work as it’s quick but needs regular-sized joints.
• Flush: A common technique often used in modern buildings but isn’t water-resistant.
• Weather-struck and cut: This technique can make brickwork look more attractive but is more time-consuming than the above.
• Tuckpointing: This method requires a high level of skill and precision, increasing labour costs.

Waste removal

Double-check that the quote includes waste removal. If it doesn’t, you must factor these into the costs. Heavy waste, like bricks and concrete, is usually charged by weight.

Frequently asked questions

What is pointing and repointing?

Pointing is applying the visible mortar between bricks, stone, or other masonry.
Over time, the mortar between the bricks or stones can deteriorate due to weather, moisture or structural movement. Repointing is the process of repairing these mortar joints.

Why is repointing important?

It is vital to repoint for the following reasons:

• It prevents water from entering the wall or structure, causing dampness, mould, and frost damage
• Prolongs the life of the building or wall
• Restores the strength of a wall by filling gaps and holes
• Improves the look of your home

Can I repoint myself?

Yes, you can repoint a brick wall yourself if you have the right tools and skills. Repointing a chimney or roof is another matter. We recommend that you hire a professional for this type of repointing.

How often should you have repointing done?

There is no rule regarding when you should have repointing done. However, regularly checking your walls or brickwork for signs of holes or soft and crumbly mortar will tell you when to repoint.

How can I save on repointing costs?

• Do some of the preparation yourself, such as the raking out and cleaning
• Get separate quotes for scaffolding
• Get quotes from different bricklayers
• Prioritise the most critical areas

Repointing vs. rendering

Here are some reasons why you might choose rendering over repointing:

• The brickwork is severely damaged, and repointing the the mortar won’t be enough to repair the structure.
• For aesthetic reasons, you might want to give your property a more modern look or cover up unattractive, mismatched brickwork.
• To add another weatherproof barrier rather than repoint alone.

However, the cost to render a house can be more expensive than repointing, especially if you can repoint just certain areas rather than the whole house.

Hopefully, the above repointing costs give you a rough indication of how much you’ll have to pay for your bricklayer.

If you want accurate quotes for your project, post a job now to compare quotes from local bricklayers.