Repointing brick typically costs $500-$2,500 for a small repair and $3,000-$12,000 for a larger home project. The price depends on wall area, mortar condition, access, local labor rates, and whether damaged bricks also need replacement.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small repair | $500 | $1,200 | $2,500 | Localized work, often subject to a minimum charge |
| Repointing per sq ft | $3 | $10 | $25 | Wall area; access and mortar removal affect rate |
| Partial wall | $1,000 | $3,500 | $7,000 | About 100-300 sq ft, depending on scope |
| Large home project | $3,000 | $7,000 | $12,000+ | Multiple elevations or difficult access |
Typical repointing prices for brick walls
Most contractors price repointing by the square foot, but small projects may be quoted as a flat fee because setup and travel take time even when the repair is limited. A typical rate is $5-$15 per sq ft for accessible brick with joints that can be cleaned out and refilled without replacing many bricks. Complex restoration can exceed $20 per sq ft.
A 150-sq-ft wall at $8-$15 per sq ft comes to $1,200-$2,250 before unusual access or repair charges. Assumptions: standard fired-clay brick, moderate joint deterioration, ordinary access, and regional labor rates near the national middle. For budgeting, $8-$15 per sq ft is a useful starting range for routine residential repointing.
What brick removal, mortar, and labor add to the quote
Labor is usually the largest expense because old mortar must be removed to a suitable depth, joints cleaned, and new mortar placed and finished carefully. The following ranges are indicative and may overlap in a contractor’s bundled price.
| Quote component | Typical price | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|
| Labor | $40-$85 per hour | Local wages, crew experience, and joint detail |
| Mortar and color matching | $1-$4 per sq ft | Mortar type, pigment, and small-batch matching |
| Joint cutting and cleanup | $2-$8 per sq ft | Hard mortar, deep joints, dust control |
| Scaffold or lift | $300-$1,500 per project | Wall height, rental duration, and site access |
| Brick replacement | $20-$50 per brick | Matching, removal, and installation complexity |
For labor budgeting, a two-person crew working 8-12 hours at combined billing rates of $80-$150 per hour represents roughly $640-$1,800 in labor. Ask whether the quote includes mortar removal, dust management, cleanup, and scaffold time.
Joint depth and wall access can shift the price
Several job details move a quote beyond the standard per-square-foot range. Contractors may need more time when joints are especially deep, mortar is harder than the brick, or the wall includes decorative profiles that must be reproduced by hand.
- Joint condition: Removing mortar to a sound depth of about 3/4 inch is common; deeper or unusually hard joints can add $2-$8 per sq ft.
- Wall height: Work above roughly 12-15 feet may require scaffold or a lift, adding several hundred dollars or more.
- Area and minimums: Jobs under about 50 sq ft may still cost $500-$1,200 because of setup and mobilization.
- Brick damage: Replacing 10-20 damaged bricks can add around $200-$1,000, depending on access and how closely the brick must match.
- Historic masonry: Lime-based or custom-colored mortar and hand tooling can raise labor and material costs compared with standard mortar.
Square footage alone is not enough to compare quotes; mortar depth, height, and brick condition matter too.
How many labor hours do common repointing jobs take?
For an accessible, ground-level section of 100-150 sq ft, a small crew may need 1-2 working days, including joint preparation and cleanup. A 300-500-sq-ft project commonly takes 3-6 days, while a full exterior with multiple elevations can last one to three weeks. These estimates assume typical weather and no major brick replacement.
Hourly rates vary by market, but skilled masonry labor commonly bills at $40-$85 per worker-hour. A larger crew may shorten the calendar schedule without reducing total labor charges. Weather can also delay work because mortar needs suitable conditions to cure. Request both an estimated labor-hour range and a calendar schedule when comparing bids.
Scaffolding, disposal, and brick repairs on the invoice
Some estimates include access equipment and debris removal; others list them separately. Scaffold rental often runs $300-$1,500 for a residential job, while lift rental may cost $250-$600 per day before delivery. Disposal or hauling can add $100-$500 when old mortar and damaged brick cannot be handled with regular site cleanup.
Waterproofing, sealants, and broad façade cleaning are not automatically part of repointing. They should be priced as separate work, and sealing should only be considered when appropriate for the brick and mortar system. Confirm that optional treatments are justified and itemized rather than bundled into the base repair.
Three sample quotes for different brick projects
| Project | Scope and time | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|
| Localized chimney repair | 40 sq ft, limited access, 10-14 labor hours | $900-$1,800 |
| Accessible side wall | 150 sq ft at $8-$14 per sq ft, 2-3 days | $1,500-$2,800 |
| Two-story exterior sections | 500 sq ft at $12-$22 per sq ft, scaffold and cleanup | $6,500-$12,500 |
These examples assume standard residential brick; a historic property, extensive brick replacement, or restricted access can push totals higher. Use project scope and included work—not the total alone—to compare estimates.
Repointing versus patching or replacing brick
Repointing renews mortar joints while keeping sound bricks in place. A small patch may cost $500-$1,200, but repeated spot repairs can become inefficient if deterioration runs across a broad wall. Replacing individual bricks typically costs $20-$50 each; rebuilding a wall section is a separate, more extensive job and can cost several thousand dollars.
Repointing is generally appropriate when mortar is failing but most bricks remain sound. If bricks are cracked, spalling, or loose across a substantial area, a mason should identify whether selective replacement or rebuilding is needed before pricing the work. Paying for a condition assessment can help avoid repointing over bricks that also need repair.
Ways to lower a brick repointing estimate
Combining nearby wall sections into one mobilization can reduce repeated setup charges. Completing sound, accessible elevations together may also limit scaffold rental days. Homeowners can clear plants and movable items from the work area, but should leave mortar removal and masonry preparation to the contractor.
- Get at least three written quotes based on the same measured area and repair depth.
- Ask for separate prices for repointing, brick replacement, scaffold, and disposal.
- Choose a mortar compatible with the existing brick rather than selecting solely by lowest material price.
- Schedule non-emergency work when local masons are less booked, while avoiding unsuitable weather.
- Skip optional cleaning or sealing unless the contractor explains the need and cost.
The best savings usually come from clear scope and fewer repeat setup charges, not from cutting necessary joint preparation.