Repointing Cost

Trying to find out the cost of repointing a house?

So, how can this complete cost guide help you?

In this guide, we look at repointing brickwork prices for different house sizes and different conditions of pointing brickwork, as well as labour fees and the repointing cost per m².

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Continue reading below to discover everything you need to know about repointing prices in 2026!

How Much Does Repointing Cost?

Why is repointing important?

Bricks are sturdy materials that will generally outlive you. But the mortar that holds them together needs regular attention to keep rain and damp from penetrating the walls of your home.

To rejuvenate the mortar, you will need to have your brick walls repointed.

How much will repointing a single wall cost?

Prices can range from £600 to £1,500 for a single 30m² brick wall to £1,000 up to £2,500 for a single 50m² brick wall.

What if you need a whole exterior repointing?

If you need the entire exterior of your property repointed, then this normally costs:

• £1,300 to £3,250 for a terraced house.
• £1,900 to £4,750 for a semi-detached home.
• £2,900 to £7,250 for a detached property.

What do these costs depend on?

These costs will, of course, vary depending on how damaged the mortar is and how much of it needs to be repaired. If you have any additional damage, such as damp or broken bricks, the job will take much longer and will also be a lot more expensive.

Repointing Prices

Here is a price breakdown of common repointing jobs:

Repointing Cost Calculator

Using the Repointing Cost Calculator

Unsure exactly what the length and height of the area you want to estimate the cost of repointing for is?

Below are typical measurements for different types of properties in the UK:

Labour Cost of Repointing a House

With relatively inexpensive materials, around 90% to 95% of the total repointing cost is going to be the labour.

In terms of the total cost, most builders will probably charge a fixed price for the whole job or a cost per square metre, but a bricklayer's labour rates are in the region of £250 to £350 per day.

What type of property requires repointing brickwork?

Terraced house

1 votes - 14%14% of votes

Semi-detached house

3 votes - 43%43% of votes

Detached house

0 votes - 0%0% of votes

Bungalow/flat

2 votes - 29%29% of votes

Single brick wall

1 votes - 14%14% of votes

7 votes See results Hide results

Depending on the size of the job, they may work in teams of two or more. The table below gives you a rough idea of the total labour costs for repointing different-sized properties.

Another factor to consider is how labour rates vary by location, as bricklayers in London and the South East can typically charge 15% to 25% higher rates than the average for the rest of the UK.

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Supply Cost for Repointing Brickwork

Planning to repoint a brick wall yourself?

Then here is a breakdown of the different supply costs for hydrated lime, sand, and general-purpose cement, which are the typical ingredients in a standard mortar mix used to repoint the average house:

Additional Repointing Costs

In most cases, repointing the brickwork on a property is a fairly straightforward job. However, it pays to be aware of potential additional costs you need to consider when calculating the cost of brick wall repointing, including:

• Brickwork repairs and replacements — If your walls have bricks that are significantly damaged or missing altogether, they will either need repairing or replacing before your walls can be repointed. Depending on how bad your brickwork is, this could add between £100 and £500+ to your total costs.
• Removing old render or paint — Your walls may have been painted or rendered, which will need to be removed before they can be repointed. This can be time-consuming, not to mention expensive, costing between £300 and £1,500+.
• Brickwork cleaning — If your brickwork needs to be professionally cleaned before it can be repointed, this is usually charged separately. Expect additional costs of between £200 and £700.
• Upgrading to lime mortar — Older properties may need to be repointed with lime mortar, which increases the cost of the materials as well as the labour. Depending on the size of the property, you might need to budget an extra £150 to £600.

Factors That Impact How Much Repointing Costs

To calculate the cost of repointing brick walls, you need to consider the following factors.

Location of Property

Where you live will contribute to the final cost evaluation, as bricklayers in different areas charge various prices. For instance, the average daily rate for a bricklayer based in London is around 15% to 20% higher than a tradesperson in the North-West might charge for a full day's work.

Ease of Access

If you need your entire house repointing or need repairs to the bricks near the roof, then some tradespeople charge more as the job will be more difficult and will also take longer. They will probably also include the cost of scaffolding in their quote, which can be around £900 for an average property.

Size of Wall

Bricklayers tend to charge £20 to £50 which is the average repointing price per m², so the size of the wall will determine the final cost. For instance, a 30m² wall tends to cost £600 to £1,500 for repointing, while a 50m² brick wall ranges from £1,000 to £2,500.

Number of Walls

When figuring out a final quote, bricklayers will assess the condition of your walls and determine how many walls need repointing. You may only get a low quote if just one wall needs fixing but if it is your entire house you could pay anywhere from £1,300 to £7,250 depending on the size of your home.

Type of Mortar Joint

Another cost-affecting factor is the type of mortar joint you want. For example, a concave mortar joint tends to be harder to create as it requires a curved steel jointing tool, although once it is in place, it is incredibly durable to weather and wear.

This means it will take a lot longer in comparison to a weathered mortar finish, which usually fits into a horizontal joint and blocks out water.

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Signs Your Brickwork Needs Repointing

The mortar in your walls generally does a good job of standing up to the elements, but over time it may need to be replaced.

Mortar damage can sometimes be localised in areas where there may have been a leak, but often the mortar will simply be timeworn and crumbling with age, or have been poorly laid in the first place.

So how do you know if brickwork needs repointing?

Check Your Pointing

The best way to check your pointing is to simply look at it and check it's all even and reasonably flush with the brickwork.

Then try running your finger along it and see if any mortar crumbles and comes away. You need to check multiple areas on all the walls, as mortar quality can be patchy, and it may look great on the back wall yet be crumbling on the front.

If you can see any gaps between the mortar and the bricks, or if any mortar comes away with your fingers, then this means you will likely need to have some repairs done on your brickwork.

Determine the Worst-Affected Areas

The state of the mortar in the walls will not necessarily be the same over the entire area. Typically the corners facing the prevailing winds suffer first, then areas below drips from windows or gutters. The mortar around window and door surrounds is often weak due to the vibration over the years.

Patch Repairs or Full Repointing

Depending on how much damaged mortar you've found, you may not need to have the entire wall repointed.

However, if you only have part of the wall repointed, the new mortar colour will stick out like a sore thumb unless you are fortunate.

The best approach in most cases is to repoint the entire wall with mortar that's as closely matched to the sound mortar as possible, so the whole wall will have a consistent finish.

The best course of action would be to try and prevent the damage in the first place, so regularly checking your brickwork, repairing leaky gutters and downpipes, and fixing any damaged mortar early can help to prevent more extensive work in the future.

What's Involved in Repointing Brick Walls?

Repointing most certainly isn't as simple as it looks from the pavement. It involves a lot of skill (and dust!), plus, you're working up high.

Unless it's a small, safe patch you can do at ground level, it isn't the best DIY project, unless, of course, you have bricklaying experience and are confident on ladders or scaffolding.

If you're looking to hire an experienced bricklayer, it's a good idea to get at least three quotes first so you can compare scope, method, and timescales.

Here's how a tidy, professional repoint typically runs:

Before the Job

• Initial survey — Your bricklayer checks to see if access is straightforward. They'll also inspect the condition of the brick and how deep the old mortar has failed. Next, they'll agree a pointing style (e.g. bucket handle, recessed, weather-struck) and how they'll control dust.
• Mortar match — A small sample is taken to match colour, texture and strength. Older bricks frequently need lime-based mortar rather than hard cement.
• Access and protection — Scaffolding or a tower scaffold is arranged if needed. Windows, sills and paths are sheeted up then neighbours get a heads-up if it's a party wall.

During the Job

• Prepare the brickwork — Failed mortar is cut/raked out to a consistent depth (usually 15–20mm) without damaging the bricks. Joints are brushed/vacuumed clean. The wall is lightly misted so the new mortar doesn't dry too fast or crack.
• Apply the new mortar — Fresh mortar is mixed to the agreed spec and packed firmly into the joints in small sections so it bonds in the right way. As the mortar firms up, joints are finished to the chosen profile for a neat, weather-tight seal. Smears are brushed off while green (part-set) so you don't get staining on the brick faces.

After the Job

• Curing and finishing — Fresh work is protected from heavy rain, hot sun and frost while it cures. Sheeting stays on if needed. Once dry, any light residue is removed, so the brick faces aren't scuffed or etched.
• Snag and sign-off — You inspect the job with the bricklayer, agree any touch-ups, and get advice on aftercare and when to paint or seal (if you're planning to).

What Are the Benefits of Repointing?

There are various advantages to having your brick walls repointed, which include the following:

• Structural Integrity — Having your walls repointed will make your property walls much more robust and also ensure your home's foundations last longer and are protected against wear and tear.
• Weatherproofing — Adding new and improved mortar will protect your home during adverse weather conditions including high heat, cold temperatures and damp.
• Appearance — Old mortar tends to look unsightly, which therefore makes the exterior of your home look untidy. By repointing your brick walls, you can improve the look of your property while also enhancing kerb appeal.
• Property Value — Repointing can improve kerb appeal by updating a property's exterior, which will, therefore, look more attractive to prospective buyers, increasing demand and property value.
• Low-Maintenance — Having your walls repointed will save you money on maintenance and repairs, as you will not need to have your walls repointed for another 40 to 60 years. Brickwork repointing also prevents damp and leaks, preventing costly repairs.
• Energy Costs — Properly repointed mortar seals gaps and cracks, reducing draughts and heat loss, which can help lower energy bills.

Checklist: Hiring a Bricklayer to Repoint Your Walls in the UK

Before hiring a tradesperson to repoint your brick walls, take a look at the following checklist, which sets out everything you should look for when employing a bricklayer.

• Lime or cement? Ask what mortar they'll use and why. Older bricks often need a lime-based mix. You want a proper colour/texture match, not a hard grey smear that traps moisture.
• Can you show a sample panel? Get a small test area first showing the joint profile (bucket handle, recessed, weather-struck) and finish, so you can approve before they crack on.
• How deep will you rake and how? They should rake out consistently to around 15–20mm without scarring the brick faces. "No aggressive grinding on soft bricks" is what you want to hear.
• How will you handle access and protection? Is scaffolding or a tower included? What about sheeting to protect windows, sills and paths? Good firms plan dust control and clean as they go.
• What's the bad-weather plan? Ask how they'll protect fresh work from rain, frost and hot sun. They should be ready to pause and return if conditions aren't right.
• Are we patching or doing the whole elevation? Patch repairs can look patchy. Agree whether they're tackling local spots or a full run so the colour is consistent.
• Is waste removal included? Confirm they'll take away raked-out mortar and leave the site tidy, with a final clean of the brick faces.
• Have you done similar jobs I can see? Ask for recent, comparable work — photos help — especially for chimneys, heritage brick or tricky façades.
• Do you have the right insurance? Public liability cover is a must. If they use subcontractors, those people should be covered too.
• Can you give me an itemised quote? You want labour, materials, access, protection and any making-good listed clearly, with a sensible payment schedule (no big upfronts).
• Will you keep neighbours in the loop? If it's a party wall, a quick heads-up helps. Also check they stick to reasonable working hours.
• Do you offer a guarantee and snag visit? Aim for a workmanship warranty (e.g. 12 months) and a post-cure snag check to sort any little bits.
• What aftercare do I get? Get written advice on cleaning, when you can paint or seal (if you plan to), and simple upkeep tips to keep the brickwork sound.
• Where can I read recent reviews? Check feedback from other homeowners on their MyJobQuote profile — fresh, local reviews are the most useful.

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