Guides4Homeowners Useful Information & Guides
Many homeowners struggle with the upkeep and renovations around the home that are
necessary to keep everything up to code. While some things like paint jobs are purely aesthetic, other necessary renovations actually improve the quality of life within the home. Brickwork, while beautiful and durable, does not last forever. The mortar between the joints can become eroded and flake away over time–which can lead to higher heating costs and even water intake into the home. That is why repointing brickwork whenever there is obvious damage is important.
Repointing brickwork is the process of touching up the mortar between the joints of the bricks, and can be done to home siding and even fireplaces or brick walls surrounding a home.
Here is a bit more about what you can expect to pay if you decide to repoint the brickwork of your home.
How Do You Know When To Repoint Brickwork?
The simple answer is–whenever you start seeing signs of wear and erosion. Over time, the mortar joints between brickwork will start to crack and flake away due to general weather wear and tear. Once you see the wear start to become obvious, you should immediately set about repointing the brickwork mortar. This will prevent any moisture from entering between the brick joints, and going through freeze cycles that will further erode the brick mortar.
How Much Does It Cost To Repoint Brickwork?
No matter what the project may be, when it comes to home renovation the price is
always going to depend on a variety of factors. The size of the job, the cost of materials, the labour costs if you hire a professional–it all adds up. However, there is a general ‘neighbourhood’ that you should be aiming for on average. Here is what you can expect to pay if you choose to hire a professional:
Professional Repointing
Professional repointing is always going to cost a premium, as is expected. For a professional repointing job you can expect to pay anywhere from £400-4,000.
This will of course depend on the size of the job and the location. Chimney repointing will cost a bit more than, say, repointing a small wall. This is partially due to the need for scaffolding and the chimney being hard to reach.
Here are some general price ranges that you can expect to pay for various repointing jobs with a team of professionals.
- Repointing a chimney = £400-1,000
- Repointing the front or siding of a home = £1,500-2000
- Repointing a semi-detached home = £2,500-3,000
As you can see, the cost of the job is directly related to the size of the project itself. On average, homeowners can expect to pay anywhere from £25-50 m2; and can expect the job to take anywhere from a single afternoon, to 5-7 days. The average per-day cost of labour is typically between £155-325 depending on the craftsman/team.
D.I.Y Repointing
Of course, the option to repoint your brickwork yourself is always on the table. You will need to purchase the raw materials yourself, as well as have a clear idea of how to perform the task. The only real benefit of D.I.Y repointing is cost saving; otherwise the end result will vary depending on your skill level.
In general, repointing brickwork is not complicated, but it can require a lot of patience and time. If you wish to repoint your entire home, you can expect to pay around £300-400 for the mortar mix and scaffolding hire.
Obviously, this is a massive savings. However, if you do not already have the tools on hand, you will need to spend a bit more. For example:
- Cement mixer = £100-400
- Pointing trowel = £5-10
- Mortar board = £30-70
- Chisel = £5-15
- Soft brushes = £1-5
- Mortar mix = £1/kg
- Wire brush = £1-5
These extra tool expenses will add up rather quickly, but even all together is still likely to be less than hiring a professional. However, one should always consider the time investment that repointing will take, and weigh how much that is worth. A team of professionals will come at a premium, but they will save you a lot of time and the end result is almost always guaranteed to be correct. Ultimately, it’s up to you.
Final Thoughts
Repointing brickwork is a rather simple task, but not one that should be taken lightly. Some brickwork can be difficult to reach, and in some cases even dangerous. In addition, by not doing the job properly, you run the risk of the repair not lasting very long and thus forcing you to shell out more cash to do it all over again. In the end, whether you choose to hire a professional or do it yourself will depend on you and your budget. Although, one thing remains the same either way; never neglect your eroding or damaged brickwork unless you want to incur even
heavier expenses down the road.
Get a Free Brick Repointing Quote
You can easily compare brick repointing quotes using our online tool. We send your details to tradesmen local to you as well as large national companies, they will all be able to quote on the job so you can easily find the best option to suit your budget.
