Do you think your brickwork needs repairs? Do you want to know the price of repointing brickwork?
This guide will walk you through the costs of repointing your house as well as the different kinds of brick-pointing/repointing projects, including brick walls, the entire house and roof pointed.
How Much Does Repointing Cost?
Let’s begin with repointing the chimney?
A chimney that is pointed or repointed, it will cost between £30 or £50 per square metres. The typical cost for pointing or repointing the chimney ranges from £500 up to £1000.
What are the pros and cons of repointing your house?
It’s about £1400 up to £2100 for having the side or front of a home pointed/repointed. £2400 to £3100 for pointing or repointing for a semi-detached home as well as set aside £3200 up to £4100 to point/repoint a terraced home.
What price would it be to build a scaffold?
The cost will range from several hundreds to a few thousand pounds greater if scaffolding is required that costs between £50 to £150 each day.
What elements can impact the cost of Repointing?
Repointing costs will differ depending on a variety of cost-related factors, such as the number of tradespeople on the job, the type and state of repointing, the dimensions of the property, accessibility and the weather (potentially) and the properties’ location.
Your location is crucial as the costs of labour vary in the UK.
Repointing Prices
| Job Description | Total |
| Point/Repoint a Wall | £30 to £50 per m2 |
| Point/Repoint a Chimney | £500 to £1000 |
| Point/Repoint the Side of a House | £1400 to £2100 |
| Point/Repoint a Semi-detached House | £2400 to £3100 |
| Point/Repoint a Terraced House | £3200 to £4100 |
What are the Supply Costs of Brickwork Repointing?
We’ll now take a close look at the cost of supply specifically. The cost of labour was not included and all waste disposal expenses and any additional expenses like scaffolding.
The price for supplies for the pointing and repointing of brickwork ranges from £100 to £300 based on the magnitude and scope of the work.
If you opt to repoint or point brickwork, you’ll need to be paying between £100 and £400 for a mixer and £5 to £15 to purchase a chisel, and £30 to £70 to buy a mortar board or £1 up to£4 in order for a wire brush £1-£6 to purchase a soft-brush, £1 for each 100 kgs of mortar mix or £5-£10 to purchase a pointed trowel.
Cost of Supplies for Brickwork
| Supply | Cost |
| Wire Brush | £1 to £4 |
| Soft Brush | £1 to £6 |
| Pointing Trowel | £5 to £10 |
| Chisel | £5 to £16 |
| Mortar Mix | £1 per kg |
| Mortar Board | £30 to £70 |
| Cement Mixer | £100 to £400 |
What are the Additional Costs of Repointing Brickwork?
There are many extra costs that you might pay for when having your brickwork pointed or replaced.
Let’s take a look at some of them.
Minimum Fee
A minimum cost could be included on your invoice. It could be an amount that is set aside from other costs or be in the form of an annual minimum charge.
This means that if pay per day for labour, no matter if the work requires five days and two hours or takes five days with six, you’ll be charged for six working days in one way or the other.
Size/Type of Property
Naturally, the larger the property the greater amount of work might be needed. This is particularly applicable if you intend to have your entire property or a substantial section (e.g. the front or even the side) of the property to be repointed or pointed.
It could also be relevant for other tasks like pointing/repointing chimneys since the dimensions of the chimney may be related to the size or type of the building.
Type of Pointing/Repointing
The kind of pointing or repointing that is used is equally important in determining the total cost of brickwork repointing. The task can be completed with a variety of materials, including mortar, cement and concrete.
Number of Tradespeople
The more workers working on a particular project in total, the greater the overall cost of labour will be. In the same way any more workers you’ve employed to complete the work, the less time it will be completed.
This is why increasing or reducing the amount of labourers working for a particular project could be a good idea, but it will not increase or decrease the total cost. It’s all about how you can get the tradespeople to work together in a group.
Duration
As long as it is taking to point or repoint brickwork, the greater the cost of labour will be. If a set labour fee is in place, then the duration is not important.
If the cost of labour is per day, it’s only relevant when you are crossing from one work day to the next. When you pay hourly for labour, the duration becomes especially relevant.
Tradesmen Costs for Brickwork Repointing
Now, let’s take a more in-depth look at the labour costs associated with pointing or repointing brickwork. In this article we’ll examine how much labour costs could be for various jobs and then discuss the factors that affect cost.
On an average, the cost of labour is approximately £50 or £325 per day for each labourer. Since two tradespeople generally work in unison and work together, you can anticipate an average daily labour expense that ranges from £300 up to £650.
Of course, the cost will vary significantly based on a variety of variables, including the accessibility, the condition of the area and temperatures, size and type of the property, the amount of tradespeople employed, as well as the place of the property.
How Long Does Brickwork Repointing Take?
Let’s now consider the length of time this kind of job could be and the factors that could affect the duration of the pointing and repointing of brickwork.
It takes between one and two days to repoint or point on a wall. It takes between one and five days to complete the work on chimneys, five to seven days when the work takes place along the side of a home and 12-16 days to point/repoint on a semi-detached home and 15-20 days for a house with a terrace.
The most important factors that affect the duration of the point or repoint brickwork is accessibility as well as the property’s size and type and the condition of the working area as well as the weather conditions and the number of tradesmen who are hired to do the work.
Types of Pointing Mortar
There are many different kinds of point mortar. In this article we’ll examine the advantages of each and their pros and cons, as well as their average price.
Type N Mortar
The most popular option can be described as Type N mortar. It is composed of a 6:1:1 ratio of sand Portland cement and lime. It is characterized by a weight of pounds for every square inch, or psi of 750, which makes it ideal for work on top of the surface.
It is able to support heavy loads and is ideal for protecting structures from weather damage especially when they are exposed to extreme weather. It is also renowned for its ease of use.
Pros:
- It can hold weights up to a great extent.
- Guards structures from weather
- Strong
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Not the best choice for all tasks.
Type O Mortar
The other option worth a look could be Type O. The mix isn’t as strong as Type N with an elasticity of 350 psi.
It’s more suitable for indoor activities. Due to its consistency, it’s relatively easy to use. It’s composed of a 9:2:1 ratio of lime, sand along with Portland cement.
Pros:
- It is well suited for indoor work
- An excellent option for repair of masonry walls
- Very simple to make use of
Cons:
- Not particularly robust
Type S Mortar
The second option is extremely sturdy with an 1800 PSI. It’s actually possible to get 3000 psi when using the Type S. Because it is able to withstand high soil pressure It’s a fantastic choice for work in the underground.
It is also resistant to harsh weather conditions. It’s common to see Type S mortar in patios and sewers, retaining walls and manholes.
Pros:
- The second most popular option
- Perfect for work in underground areas
- Can withstand adverse weather conditions
Cons:
- Not as widespread as the type N mortar
Type M Mortar
The most powerful mortar can be found in Type M with an average 2500 psi. It has a ratio of 12:3:1 of Sand, Portland cement, and lime, the fact that this choice has more Portland cement means it is not suitable for particularly old buildings.
It’s not the most glue-like mortar; it’s usually used on structures with exposed surfaces.
Pros:
- A very strong mix of mortar to repoint brickwork
- Ideal for walls to reclaim
- Ideal for foundations
Cons:
- Not particular adhesive
- Not suitable for surfaces that are exposed.
- Not suitable for old homes
Lime Mortar
The last, but certainly not the last is the possibility of lime, be it non-hydraulic or hydraulic lime. Also, it comes with an aggregate as well as water.
It’s mostly used to protect old structures as Portland cement isn’t suitable for structures built prior up to the 19th century. and especially for structures made of stone. Lime mortar can be purchased for around £10 per 25kg.
Pros:
- Repointing brickwork using lime mortar can help preserve old structures
Cons:
- Not the best choice for the majority of pointing and repointing tasks
Pointing Methods
There are a variety of popular pointing strategies which can be employed.
Let’s examine these options.
Flush Pointing
This method is used to ensure that the mortar is pressed in a way that it forms brick joints. It is then pressed in a straight line with the edge of the brick, and then these edges are trimmed with trowels. Although it is not the most appealing method, flush pointing can help in extending the structural life.
This method helps keep dust, moisture and dirt out, and consequently provides better endurance. It is commonly used in jobs that involve bricks, stone or masonry.
Pros:
- A long-lasting, durable and reliable choice
- It is relatively simple to complete
- It keeps dirt, moisture, and dust away
Cons:
- Not the most attractive option
Recessed Pointing
The second option is recessed with pointing. This method requires pressing the mortar back to a distance that is 5mm or more away from vertical edges.
Although it’s not as durable and durable as flush-pointing, it does give a nicer appearance. It’s typically used for top-quality building work.
Pros:
- Visually attractive
- The perfect choice for top-quality masonry work
Cons:
- Not as durable as flush pointing
Beaded Pointing
Another option provides a nice appearance. However, despite its aesthetic benefits pointed beading is vulnerable to deterioration and might not be the best option for your home. It’s also a risky technique.
Pros:
- Beautifully aesthetic
Cons:
- Susceptible to damage
- Very unstable
V-groove Pointing
This type of option is named for its shape when pointing or repointing is carried out. It is best suited for the ashlar and rubble masonry.
Pros:
- Ideal for ashlar or rubble used in masonry
Cons:
- Repointing brickwork is not a very common mix
Tuck Pointing
Another option that can provide an aesthetic result is tuck-pointing. This method involves pressing the mortar through the joint and then fixing it so that it is completely flush with the wall surface.
When a groove is cut, the length of the mortar ought to be 5mm and the depth should be 3mm. Lime or white cement is used to fill in the cut, before it is pushed forward by 3mm, preferably over the brick’s face.
This can give an appearance to joints which appear more refined, which makes the structure appear better.
Pros:
- It gives a nice look
Cons:
- A complex choice
- It can be time-consuming.
