The short answer
Brick repointing in the UK typically costs £40–£80 per m² for standard work, with most jobs landing around £50–£60 per m² including clean-up. Splitting it by mortar: cement mortar runs roughly £25–£60 per m² on post-1930 brickwork, while lime mortar runs about £60–£90 per m² on period and soft-brick walls. In London and the South East the rate is higher — often £50–£100+ per m². The per-m² figure mainly covers raking out the old joints, mixing and applying the new mortar, and cleaning down; scaffolding, brick repairs and waste removal are usually priced on top.
The square-metre rate is the cleanest way to compare quotes, but only if both quotes assume the same mortar, the same raking-out depth and the same exclusions. Here is what sits inside the rate and what does not.
Cost per m²
- Standard repointing£40–£80 / m²
- Most common~£50–£60 / m²
- Cement mortar£25–£60 / m²
- Lime mortar£60–£90 / m²
- London / South East£50–£100+ / m²
Cement vs lime per m²
The mortar is the biggest single line in the per-m² rate. Cement mortar is cheaper to buy and faster to work, which suits harder, more modern brick built after about 1930. Lime mortar costs more and takes more skill, but it is the right choice on older, softer brick because it flexes and lets the wall breathe — putting a hard cement mortar on a soft old brick can push weathering onto the brick face instead of the joint. That is why a period property is usually quoted at the lime end of the range, and why the cheaper-looking cement rate is not always the right one for the wall.
| Mortar | Typical cost / m² | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Cement | £25–£60 / m² | post-1930 harder brick |
| Lime | £60–£90 / m² | pre-1919 soft / period brick |
| Standard mixed job | £40–£80 / m² | typical UK home |
Indicative per-m² figures for guidance. Sources: Checkatrade and MyJobQuote repointing cost guides.
What the rate includes — and what's extra
- Usually in the rate: raking out the failed joints, mixing the mortar, applying the chosen joint finish (struck, flush or recessed), and brushing down.
- Usually extra: scaffolding or tower access (£500–£1,500), replacing spalled or cracked bricks, chimney or coping repairs, and skip / waste removal.
- Raking-out depth: joints should be cut back to a sound depth, not just scraped — deeper or harder old joints take more labour and lift the rate.
- Region: London and the South East sit 20–35% above the national average on labour.
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We'll match you with a vetted brickwork repointing specialist who measures the area, recommends the right mortar, and quotes a clear per-m² rate with extras set out.
Frequently asked questions
How much is repointing per square metre?
Standard brick repointing typically costs £40–£80 per m², with most jobs around £50–£60 per m² including clean-up. Cement mortar runs £25–£60 per m² and lime mortar £60–£90 per m², with London and the South East higher.
Why does lime mortar cost more per m²?
Lime mortar is more expensive to buy and takes more skill and time to apply and cure, so it sits at £60–£90 per m² against £25–£60 for cement. On older soft brick it is usually the correct choice despite the higher rate.
Does the per-m² rate include scaffolding?
Usually not. The rate normally covers raking out and repointing the wall; scaffolding or tower access (typically £500–£1,500), brick repairs and waste removal are commonly priced separately. Always check what a quoted rate includes.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific wall. They are guidance, not a quotation.