Existing mortar joints in masonry walls can be repaired or improved through tuckpointing. Fresh mortar is tucked into the joints to restore the wall’s appearance or replace crumbling old mortar. Color is applied to thinly formed mortar for ornamentation. Decorative tuckpointing can also be done on brick walls to enhance their aesthetic appeal. Tuckpointing offers a robust, watertight mortar junction that matches the original appearance of mortar joints when done properly.
As tuckpointing often entails remarkable benefits, this begs the question, “how much does tuckpointing cost?”
Tuckpointing costs in 2023
Tuckpointing often range from $5 to $25 per square foot. The cost of repointing a square foot of brick ranges from $3 to $20. From $8 to $30 per square foot, tuckpointing your chimney is an option. Costs range from $5 to $28 per square foot for repointing a stone foundation. Wall height, brick or stone condition, and mortar deterioration affect repointing costs.
Project Average cost
8’x10′ Brick wall $250 – $1,600
8’x10′ Stonewall $400 – $2,000
12’x12′ Patio $450 – $2,000
16’x18′ Patio $850 – $4,000
Chimney stack $500 – $2,500
Chimney stack (two-story) up to $7,000
Stone foundation $3,500 – $10,000
2,500 SF brick house $5,000 – $40,000
*Minimum fees of $200 to $1,500 may apply, depending on project type.
It is easy for water to leak through the walls when the mortar has crumbled or decayed. Repointing and tuckpointing prevent the mortar joints from deteriorating, ensuring the home’s structural integrity.
Joints that have been repointed are cleaned of old, rotting mortar and replaced with new, matching mortar that matches the original color. Tuckpointing removes old mortar and replaces it with mortar that closely matches the brick color, followed by a thin line of contrasting putty to produce the appearance of crisp, fine joint lines.
It costs 20% to 40% more for masons to use scaffolding when repointing or tuckpointing walls and chimneys that are 8 feet or taller. Repairing mortar joints between 25 and 30 years old in brick and stone is necessary.
Factors affecting the cost
Tuckpointing can be seen as relatively costly. But how do contractors come up with its cost?
Using two distinct mortar colors and applying them with extreme precision make tuckpointing an expensive process. However, if you’re looking to improve the look of your home, the investment is worthwhile. If you’ve never done any masonry repairs on your home, it’s a smart idea to upgrade the exterior and make sure the brick walls are in good condition. For those who plan on selling their home within the next year, tuckpointing is an excellent approach to entice buyers to an older property.
People are more likely to consider purchasing an older home that has recently had masonry repairs to avoid paying for costly masonry repairs in the future.
Below is the list of factors that contribute to the price of tuckpointing.
Inspection
Masonry work can cost either more or less depending on how homeowners handle their initial property inspection with their contractor. As a result of their lack of expertise, many owners are unwilling to express concerns about their properties.
They rely on the competence of the masons. Despite this, the owners must understand the extent of labor and the reason for each assignment. If you suspect your contractor isn’t paying attention to something, don’t be afraid to voice your concerns.
When a contractor fails to fix an issue in the brickwork, erroneously installs flashing, or fails to thoroughly clean the area before applying fresh mortar, the job ends up costing extra. Making mistakes leads to more expenses and more time spent in the long run.
Home inspections are a crucial step in ensuring the longevity and safety of a property. A thorough inspection not only identifies potential issues but also provides homeowners with a deeper understanding of their property’s condition.
This knowledge empowers homeowners to make informed decisions, whether it’s negotiating repairs before purchasing, planning for future maintenance, or ensuring that the work done meets the required standards.
Without a proper home inspection, minor issues can go unnoticed, eventually leading to significant damages and costly repairs. It’s not just about saving money; it’s about ensuring a safe and secure living environment. By being proactive and prioritizing home inspections, homeowners can safeguard their investment and enjoy peace of mind.
Labor
Most contracting and trade work involves labor. Like any other sector, the quality of tuckpointing varies greatly between companies. Do your homework to discover a great tuckpointing masonry firm. Read reviews, get referrals, and ask prospective employers for client references or work samples.
Tuckpointing labor costs vary depending on the region. Cities have substantially greater labor costs than rural locations. There are internet tools to assist homeowners in estimating masonry work hourly prices. Owners can then estimate tuckpointing costs based on those rates.
An experienced mason can tuckpoint about 10 sq ft every hour. Most contractors charge more for high-rise masonry work. Tuckpointing a roof-top chimney costs more than tuckpointing an interior wall. High-rise premiums can range from 40% to 100% of the regular cost. For example, if tuckpointing costs $8 per square foot, anything beyond 10 feet tall will cost $11 to $16 per square foot.
The tools a masonry business utilizes will also affect labor costs. Many businesses still hand-remove ancient mortar joints. The process can be lengthy and costly. But modern tools can tackle greater regions much faster than handwork. The cost of employing advanced masonry businesses should be weighed against the project size. Hiring tech-savvy contractors make sense as the project size grows.
Materials
The cost of different types of mortar varies. Because it is less expensive, Portland cement is the most frequent type of cement used in mortar joints. On the other hand, Lime is a higher-end material with a 10 percent price premium. This can put an even greater emphasis on tuckpointing. The cost of tuckpointing materials should, on average, be the same as the cost of labor for a job.
Additionally, the cost of tuckpointing depends on the tools used by masons. In addition to electric grinders, the quality of a contractor’s other instruments significantly impacts the pricing. The expense of better tools is higher. As a result, owners should expect a higher price, resulting in a higher quality product.
Associated costs on repair and cosmetic
Before the joints can be replaced on a house that needs tuckpointing, further work normally needs to be done. If the mortar joints are crumbling and cracking, the brickwork around them has undoubtedly suffered the same fate.
Bricks often need to be amended or replaced to install new mortar joints. It’s impossible to predict how much more money tuckpointing repairs will add up to. Changing just a few bricks will only be a small investment. However, if a brick wall has a wide fracture going down its length, the repair costs can be rather high.
Aesthetically, tuckpointing can be improved by adding decorative elements. Adding colored pigments to the mortar or tuckpointing the bricks with thin white borders is an option that some people prefer. As a result, the cost of decorative tuckpointing can be twice as high as the standard labor rate. Caulking around window joints, doors, and vents, for example, can add a small amount to the project’s overall cost.
Tuckpointing should only be done in areas where it will add the most value to a property. Reduce the overall cost by, for example, merely tuckpointing the front of the home or omitting work in obscure locations. Owners don’t have to cover every brick on their property in order to enjoy the aesthetic benefits of tuckpointing.
Read more: How Much Does Tuckpointing Cost
Contact Paragon Remodeling to learn more about how much is tuckpointing
There is no work too small or too large for an expert tuckpointing crew. We offer tuckpointing services in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.
Get started on your next tuckpointing project by contacting us today.
