Repointing Cost Calculator
Repointing is £40–£90 per square metre of wall — a terraced house £2,000–£4,500, a semi £3,000–£6,500. The mortar choice matters more than the price: cement on a soft brick wall does real damage.
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4 steps. Wall area, mortar, access and region.
How this calculator works
Repointing is priced per square metre of wall face, and it is slow work: raking out to depth, filling and finishing the joint. That is why scaffolding gets hired for longer here than for most trades.
The mortar is the real decision. Cement is harder than soft old brick, so on a pre-1919 wall it forces moisture out through the brick face and the face spalls off. Lime is deliberately softer — it takes the damage instead of the brick.
Ask how they rake out. An angle grinder is fast and widens the joint, chipping brick edges permanently on soft brick. Hand raking costs more and is the right answer on anything old.
Repointing cost (2026)
| Job | Typical 2026 cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cement mortar | £40–£60/m² | Modern brick, post-1930s |
| Lime mortar | £65–£90/m² | Older, softer brick |
| Colour-matched / heritage | £80–£110/m² | Specified profile and colour |
| Terraced house, both faces | £2,000–£4,500 | Around 85 m² |
| Semi-detached, all faces | £3,000–£6,500 | Around 120 m² |
| Chimney stack only | £400–£900 | Plus access |
| Scaffolding, two storeys | £1,000–£2,200 | Hired longer than most trades |
Figures match our repointing cost guide.
Repointing calculator FAQs
Roughly: pre-1919 solid walls want lime, post-1930s cavity walls are fine with cement. If the brick is soft enough to scratch with a coin, cement will damage it. A quote for an old house that specifies cement without discussing it is worth questioning.
Lime pointing done properly lasts 50–100 years. Cement on suitable brick, 30–50. Cement on soft brick can start spalling the brick face within a decade, and then you are replacing bricks rather than just mortar.
Rarely. Weather-facing elevations and chimney stacks go first. Repointing sound joints achieves nothing and costs the same per metre, so ask which faces actually need it.
An angle grinder is quick but widens the joint and chips brick arrises, which is permanent on soft brick. Hand raking is slower, costs more and is the right method on anything pre-war.
Related cost guides
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- Find a builder — 3 free quotes
- Reading a quote — prime and provisional sums
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