Repointing Patio Cost

If your garden’s patio has crumbling mortar joints and has generally seen better days, it might be time to consider having it repointed. Repointing is a remedial process that involves replacing or repairing old and worn mortar joints between patio slabs to restore their appearance and stability after years of use.

Repointing is an important bit of upkeep. It helps block weed growth between slabs, keeps joints sound so water sheds properly, and extends the lifespan of your patio.

You can expect to pay around £20 per m², but this can vary due to a couple of factors.

If you'd like to get a quote from a local bricklayer to repoint your patio, we can help you with that too!

So, what’s the average cost of repointing a patio, and is it something you can fix yourself as a DIY project? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know.

How Much Does Repointing a Patio Cost?

The cost of repointing a patio generally costs between £15 and £25 per square metre, averaging at £20 per square metre for most patio repointing mixes. On top of the supply rate, you’ll also need to pay for your labourer’s time, costing between £150 to £250 per day, depending on their skill and experience level.

While these figures act as ballparks, actual costs will depend on the size of your patio, the material used for pointing, and local/geographical differences in labour fees.

As you’d expect, the more intricate and complex the pointing pattern, or the more damaged your original mortar is, the higher your costs will be as the project will take longer to complete.

Repointing Patio Prices

Let’s take a closer look at patio repointing costs, considering a few typical scenarios:

Repointing a basic patio with minimal existing damage will cost around £15 per square metre, while repointing a patio of the same style and layout with moderate damage will cost slightly more, at £20 per square metre.

You will likely pay closer to £25 per square metre for patios with extensive damage or more intricate designs. On top of these fees, you’ll also need to budget for labour costs, ranging from £150 to £250 per day, depending on the skill of your contractor.

Supply Costs for Repointing a Patio

You’ll need the following supplies to repoint your patio:

Your supply costs will differ depending on your pointing mix. Resin-based products are more expensive (while offering longer-lasting results), while traditional mortar mixes are cheap.

Additional Costs for Repointing a Patio

You’ll usually get the basics covered in a quote, but there are a few extras that can bump the price or time up. A few simple checks before you book a tradesperson can save bother later:

• Prep and protection (normally incorporated) — It’s normal for the work to involve raking out the joints, cleaning down, and sheeting up nearby walls and doors. Just ask your contractor what’s built into their daily rate.
• Joint removal and cleaning — First the old mortar gets raked or ground out, then the joints are brushed and rinsed to give the new mix something solid to stick to. Tough or extra-deep joints take more time.
• Re-bedding any slabs that have sunk — If a slab wobbles or has dropped, it’ll need lifting and setting back on new mortar. Because that’s extra work on top of repointing, you’ll either pay per slab or cover it as additional labour.
• Waste and disposal (often included for small jobs) — Old mortar and sand are classed as inert/builders’ waste (not garden waste). Small jobs are usually bagged and taken away by the contractor. You might need to hire a skip for larger jobs. Confirm what’s included in the quote (bags, skip size, any permit, disposal).
• Sealant application (optional) — Sealing helps resist stains, frost and weeds. It’s typically a separate line item and is applied after the pointing has cured. Ask which sealant they use and the re-coat cycle.
• Weed treatment and aftercare — Spray weeds a week or so before the repointing’s done. Afterwards, hold off on pressure-washing for a few weeks. After that, a regular brush and gentle clean will stop them from coming back. Note: If you have Japanese knotweed or something similar, that’s a specialist job with its own costs and guarantees.
• Access and weather — Tight access, lots of edging cuts, or persistent rain can slow things down. Agree on how weather delays are handled before work starts.

Labour Costs and Timescales for Repointing a Patio

Timings mainly come down to patio size, condition and access. Quotes usually include standard prep (raking out joints, cleaning down, basic protection) and a tidy-up.

Expect labour at £150 to £250 per day, with the top end covering intricate layouts, stubborn joints or lift-and-relay work.

For a small patio, the work will take 1 to 3 days to complete and cost between £150 and £750 in labour fees.

Larger patios can take 3 days to a week to complete, with an estimated labour charge of £450 to £1,750. Complex patterns or significant preparation work may extend these timeframes.

So, if you’re looking to reduce your outgoings, it’s worth trying your hand at some of the preparation work to trim down the time you need contractors on-site.

Factors That Impact Repointing Patio Costs

Let’s take a closer look at some of the reasons your patio repointing project’s budget can fluctuate:

• Size of your patio — More slabs mean more time and mix. And the larger the area, the more sheeting up and cleaning down is needed.
• Joint width and depth: Wide or deep joints will swallow more material and take longer to fill smartly.
• Pointing material — Resin compounds are pricier than sand and cement. That said, they last a lot longer and speed the job up. While traditional mortar costs a bit less, it entails a lot more labour.
• Condition of your patio — Loose or rocking slabs? They’ll need lifting and re-bedding before you can repoint. Is there heavy moss, staining or brittle mortar on your patio? That all adds to the prep time.
• Layout and pattern — If your patio features lots of curves, tight edges and decorative borders, this too will mean the repointing will take longer than straight runs of standard slabs.
• Access and handling — Does your patio have long carries, steps, or zero side access? Once again, this will slow everything down. So, expect a touch more on labour.
• Weather and curing window — If the weather’s especially wet or freezing, then this can unfortunately cause a pause in the work. Resin/mortar both need a dry spell to cure in the right way.
• Making good and tidying up — Another thing that can add a little more time at the end is brushing off, rinsing, and reinstating edges.

Types of Pointing Materials for Patios

Several different types of pointing materials are suitable for patios, giving you plenty of options when it comes to installation.

Traditional Mortar

Traditional mortar is the most common choice for rigid patios on a solid bed. It’s cost-effective and widely used, but if there’s movement or poor bedding, it can crack and crumble over time.

Resin-Based Compounds

Resin-based (polymeric) jointing compounds are popular because they’re hard-wearing, permeable and resist weed growth.

They’re not totally weed-proof (wind-blown seeds can still settle), but day-to-day maintenance is lighter than mortar. They do cost more than a sand-and-cement mix.

Dry Jointing Mixes (Sand and Cement)

Quick to apply for small areas or patch repairs, but the joints are more prone to erosion and cracking. Not ideal for larger patios or heavy-use areas.

Alternative Patio Maintenance Options

If your patio has seen better days but you don’t necessarily want to bother repointing it, you can opt for alternative maintenance methods to keep the area clean and tidy.

Pressure washing can be a good solution to remove built-up dirt and grime from your patio. However, you need to ensure your patio is suitable for pressure washing, as the action can cause more harm than good if you use too much pressure or the wrong technique while cleaning.

Sealing your patio is a great option for those wanting to ensure longevity with minimal effort and interference over the years. Coloured sealants are available for those wanting to change the aesthetic of their patio without the effort of changing the slabs, while invisible sealants are great for those wanting to protect their patio without altering the appearance.

If you have a block-paving patio, you can choose to re-sand the surface to restore it to its previous appearance when it was first laid. While this can obviously impact your patio's aesthetic, resanding block paving can also help ensure its longevity as part of ongoing maintenance.

The action helps to bind the block paving together, stopping them from moving so much underfoot as the years go by. Weeds will also be kept at bay as a result, as any gaps will be filled in, preventing weed growth and sprouting.

Checklist: Hiring Contractors to Repoint a Patio

When hiring any contractor to work on your home, you want to ensure they’re up to the job and, crucially, will do a good job on whatever project you’re hiring them for.

• It’s essential to check your patio repointing contractor’s credentials before agreeing to work with them, including their experience, customer testimonials, photos or videos of previous jobs, and information about any warranties or insurance they hold on their work.
• Take a look at their experience: Is it suitable for the job you have in mind? Are they versed in using mortar-based materials or resin compounds? Does their speciality line up with what you want?
• Be sure to look at their customer testimonials and reviews from past jobs and any photos or videos of their work to get an idea of their finish and standard. Pay attention to any reviews citing bad workmanship, messiness, bad timekeeping, or communication, as these can be early red flags that can help to ward you away from working with a rogue trader.
• Make sure you request a detailed quote covering materials, labour, and preparation. Verify if the contractor deals with waste removal or if you need to pay extra for it. Ensure all quotes are in written format so you have a solid document to fall back on for any issues during the project, as verbal agreements can all too easily be denied.
• Ask about the contractor’s predicted timescales for the work, including any contingencies for bad weather and what happens if the job can’t be completed on time as agreed. Lastly, it’s worth enquiring about any warranties the contractor or company may hold for the completed work, as this can help you out if any of the fixes fail during a specific period, helping to foot the bill for any potential repairs following the initial work.

Removing Old Pointing: Considerations and Costs

To ensure the longevity of your patio repointing, you’ll want to ensure the preparation has been completed successfully. If you’ve only partly removed the old mortar, have uneven gaps between patio slabs, and have weeds growing through gaps, adding a new pointing mix won’t fix the problem–it’ll just create a more expensive mess to fix in a few months.

Proper preparation is necessary for a successful repointing job. If you want to trim down your project’s costs, you can take on some of these preparation tasks yourself, such as clearing weeds and other plants from the area and chiselling out old mortar.

If you want to do some of the prep work yourself, you’ll need the following supplies:

• Chisel to remove old mortar, using a hammer and bolster to loosen stubborn areas - £30 for a kit
• Stiff-bristled brush to sweep away the debris from the area - £3.99
• Hosepipe/water supply - £11.95

Manual removal is usually sufficient in most patio environments, but mechanical removal may be necessary for patios with years of built-up pointing material.

In these instances, it’s best to leave the removal to the professionals to save yourself from hiring cumbersome machinery to do the job. If an angle grinder is used, expect dust and the risk of nicking slab edges unless it’s handled with care.

Mechanical removal is far quicker than manual removal but also far harsher than the manual option. If carried out clumsily, this can damage surrounding patio slabs and block pavers, which will only add to your project’s costs if you need to replace slabs simultaneously with your pointing material.

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