How Much Does Brick Repointing Cost?

Brick Repointing Cost: Pricing Breakdown, Factors, and Expert Tips for a Durable Restoration

Homeowners must understand how to identify the need for brick repointing and what to do if their bricks need it. With time, these conditions can deteriorate your mortar, leading to cracking, crumbling, and gaps. When these problems go unacknowledged, more serious structural damages like water intrusion, mould, and even foundation damage can arise. Hence, it is significant to repoint brickwork regularly to maintain the structure and beauty of the building.

So how much do you have to pay for brick repointing? The cost of this service varies based on the scope of the work, materials used, labour, and condition of the existing brickwork. In this comprehensive guide, we will take a look at everything you need to know about brick repointing costs, covering exactly what you should expect to pay, ways to save money, and how to go about the repointing project.

What is Brick Repointing?

Repointing is removing old mortar from the joints between bricks and replacing it with new mortar. The mortar that holds bricks together can erode over time because of weather exposure, moisture and wear. Over time, this may cause loose, cracked or missing mortar allowing water to leak inside the structure causing more serious damage.

Brick repointing is primarily a process used to remove the broken mortar and replace it with new mortar to ensure that the structure in question is still safe, and watertight and maintains its overall good looks. (Consider mortar between bricks, repointing, not replacement of bricks themselves, not at all.)

Why is Repointing Necessary?

The new strain of repointing is more than cosmetic for older structures, it also labour and cost to their long-term structural health. Here are some more factors as to why you need brick repointing:

• Waterproofing: When mortar joints are in bad condition, they enable moisture to seep into walls resulting in problems like water damage, mould, or dampness. Repointing helps create a barrier that keeps moisture out.


• Maintaining Structural Integrity: In the long run, cracked mortar joints can lead to a loss of stability and structure in the wall. Repointing helps to strengthen those joints and makes sure that the wall can support the load it was placed under.


• Aesthetic: New, clean mortar can vastly improve the look of brickwork, whereas cracked, missing, or dirty mortar can do the opposite. This helps maintain the historical accuracy of the construction while restoring the visual appeal of the building.


• Prevention of Additional Damage: Repointing can stop deeper structural problems from forming down the line by repairing minor cracks and weak points in the mortar.

What Influences the Brick Repointing Cost

Repointing a house costs differ based on several factors. Now, let’s take a closer look at the main variables that play a role in determining the cost of a brick repointing project.

The cost is chiefly determined by the size of the repointing job. The greater the area that needs repointing, the more time and materials will need to be used, the more time spent, the higher the cost.

• Small Jobs: Repointing smaller areas, a chimney, for example, or part of a wall or a small extension may cost as little as $500 to $1,500. These jobs tend to require less labour and fewer materials.


• Medium-Large Jobs: For a boxy, single-story home or a wall with moderate mortar damage, $2,000 to $5,000.


• Big Jobs: Repointing the entire exterior of a multistory house or a building with extensive mortar damage can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000, or, in some cases, more.

The type of mortar used for the job of repointing also significantly impacts the total cost. The type of mortar you use will depend on the age and requirements of your building and your budget. Some of the most common types of mortar are as follows:

• Lime Mortar: common for historic and heritage buildings, lime allows moisture to evaporate, preserving older brick structures. Lime mortar, however, costs more than cement-based mortar and requires specific skills. It costs $150–$250 per bag; you may need multiple bags depending on job size


• Cement Mortars: This is a newer and least expensive option. Its rapid curing and durability make it a common material for modern structures. It costs $50–$150 per bag.


• Hydraulic Lime Mortar: A faster-setting alternative to traditional lime mortar most often used on repairs to historic buildings. It costs $100–$200 per bag.

The condition of the existing mortar and brickwork is a major contributing factor to the expense. If the brickwork is in generally good condition (with maybe just small cracks in the mortar), the job will be relatively easy and inexpensive. On the other hand, if the mortar has badly deteriorated or the bricks are damaged, it may take more effort and time to prepare the surface before new mortar can be installed.

• Minor Repairs: For minor damage to the mortar or a small area needing repointing, expect a relatively low cost ($50 to $100 per square metre).


• Intensive Repairs: If the brickwork needs extensive prep work, such as washing, cutting out old mortar or repairing damaged bricks, costs could go up to $250 per square metre.

Pricing is heavily dependent on accessibility. Where the repointing work requires scaffolding or other access equipment (for example, cherry pickers for high or difficult-to-access areas) this will increase the overall cost.

• Easy Access (Ground-Level Walls): Repointing work that is accessible easily will be less expensive because no special equipment is needed.


• Difficult access (Multi-story or chimneys): If scaffolding needs to be installed to reach the higher floors, or if difficult areas need to be accessed via a cherry picker, you can expect an additional cost on top of the $10–$25 per square meter for access equipment.

Labour rates can vary based on location, the experience level of the mason or contractor, and the intricacy of the job. As a rule of thumb, labour costs are about $30-$100 per hour. Rates might be higher for more skilled workers or for work that requires specialist skills, such as repointing historic or listed buildings.

• Standard Rates: Most areas will likely have masons/contractors working for around $40–$70 per hour.


• Specialized Rates: For historic restoration or very detailed work, specialized masons may charge $100 an hour.

The cost of repointing is severely impacted by where you live. Because cosmopolitan cities and areas with a high cost of living have higher labour and material costs, you can expect more economical prices in the suburbs.

• Pricey Areas: Repointing costs are higher in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth typically $50–$100/hour for labour.


• Low-Cost Areas: Labour rates can go between $30–$60 per hour in suburban areas with a lower cost of living, and the material cost can be more affordable as well.

There may be a few extra costs involved in the repointing process such as:

• Cleaning the Brickwork: If the brickwork needs to be cleaned before repointing (e.g., paint or dirt removed), this adds $3 and $5 per square meter to the total cost.


• Rubbish Removal: If you have old mortar and debris to clear, that can run another $300–$1,000, based on the size of the job.


• Weather Delays: Inclement weather (rain, extreme cold, etc.) can delay work and create additional labour costs or require the rescheduling of workers.

How Much Should You Pay for Brick Repointing?

For small projects, like repointing one chimney or a small section of wall the cost ranges from $500 to $1,500. These jobs usually require less labour and material, are less messy and can be done faster.

A medium-size job, including repointing an entire wall of a single-story home, typically costs $2,000 to $5,000. This requires mild work, scaffolding, and more mortar.

With a more major project, such as a multi-story house or a property with major deterioration, costs can be $5,000 to $15,000 or higher, depending on the level of damage, dimensions and accessibility.

• Labour (25–30 hours x $50/hr): $1,250–$1,500


• Materials (Cement Mortar): $500–1,000


• Scaffolding/Equipment: $600–$1,500


• Cleaning, Rubbish Removal: $300–$800


• Estimated Overall Cost: $2,650–$5,000

How To Save On Brick Repointing?

• Get Multiple Quotes: Always obtain at least three estimates from reputable contractors to make sure you are getting a competitive price. This will help you to see the fair price in your region and spot any overcharges.


• Do Some of the Work Yourself: If you’ve got the skill, you can save some money by doing some of the preparatory work yourself, like cleaning the brickwork or clearing out debris. Repointing itself should be performed by a professional for the proper technique and quality.


• Regular Maintenance: Regularly maintaining your brickwork and identifying smaller problem areas early on can save you the expense of more costly repointing later down the road. Check your brickwork regularly for signs of mortar breakdown, and repair small cracks before they become bigger issues.


• Time the Job Right: It might be possible to schedule repointing work in the off-season, in the fall or winter months when demand is lower, to reduce labour costs. Steer clear of peak seasons, such as summer when contractors are most busy.

When to Hire a Professional or DIY

It may be tempting to repoint yourself, but it’s generally better to let professionals handle it, particularly for larger or more complicated jobs. Professionals have the required skills, tools, and experience to get the job done correctly and swiftly.

DIY brick repointing is suitable for small, non-structural repairs, such as fixing minor cracks or repointing a few loose bricks in garden walls or decorative structures. For example, if a small section of your backyard brick pathway has deteriorated, you can scrape out the old mortar and apply fresh mortar yourself.

Professional brick repointing is necessary for large-scale or structural repairs, such as repointing entire walls, chimneys, or foundation bricks. For instance, if your home’s exterior brickwork shows widespread mortar deterioration or structural instability, hiring a professional ensures durability, proper material matching, and compliance with building codes.

However, if you have experience doing masonry work and the project isn’t too ambitious, you might be able to do it yourself. You just have to know about the techniques and feel comfortable with the physical part of the job.

How to Select a Reputable Contractor?

If you are interested in a repointing project, making sure you pick the right contractor is key to the success of this endeavour. Find a contractor that is licensed, insured, and experienced in your type of work. Request references and Google reviews. Always request a written estimate, and don’t hesitate to ask questions about the process and materials they intend to use. You can ask the following questions from your brick repointing company.

• How much experience do you have in brick repointing?


• Can you provide references or examples of past projects?


• What type of mortar will you use, and will it match my existing brickwork?


• Do you inspect the overall condition of the brickwork before repointing?


• How do you remove the old mortar, and what precautions do you take?


• Will the repointed areas blend seamlessly with the existing masonry?


• Do you provide a warranty or guarantee on your repointing work?


• How long will the repointing process take, and what disruptions should I expect?


• Will you clean up after the work is completed?


• What is the total cost, and does it include materials and labour?

Conclusion

How much does it cost to repoint bricks? What is the cost of repointing a wall? In general, homeowners will spend between $2,000 and $8,000 for repointing work, with larger projects or those requiring specialty materials costing significantly more.

Investing in repointing is time well-spent, as it will keep your house safe from water damage or other structural problems and will help keep your home sound, secured, and looking great for many years to come!

Taking the time to think about what will affect cost, and doing what you can to save money, will ensure your brick repointing project is finished on schedule, and within your budget.