The short answer
Repointing in the UK typically costs £40–£90 per m², and a full-house repoint commonly lands between £1,500 and £5,000 — though a larger three-bed semi can reach £4,000–£12,000 once scaffolding, access and any brick repairs are included. The main drivers are the area of wall needing work, the mortar (cement is cheaper than lime), how deeply the old joints must be raked out, the access and scaffolding required, and your region — London and the South East run roughly 20–35% above the national average. Scaffolding alone usually adds £500–£1,500.
Price depends mainly on how many square metres of wall need doing, the mortar your wall takes, and how much access it needs. The figures below are typical installed prices for guidance, not quotations.
Typical UK costs
- Repointing£40–£90 / m²
- Cement mortar£25–£60 / m²
- Lime mortar£60–£90 / m²
- Full house£1,500–£5,000
- Scaffolding+£500–£1,500
What drives the price
- Area of wall: you largely pay per m², so a full-house repoint costs far more than one weathered elevation or chimney stack.
- Mortar type: lime mortar costs roughly £10–£20 per m² more than cement and is the right choice on older, softer brick (see the lifespan page).
- Raking out: deep or hard old joints take longer to cut back, and that labour is the bulk of the bill.
- Access & scaffolding: upper storeys, chimneys and awkward elevations need a scaffold or tower, typically adding £500–£1,500.
- Region: London and the South East run roughly 20–35% above the UK average.
| Item | Typical figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Repointing (general) | £40–£90 / m² | varies by mortar & access |
| Cement mortar | £25–£60 / m² | post-1930 brickwork |
| Lime mortar | £60–£90 / m² | period & soft brick |
| Full house repoint | £1,500–£5,000 | more with scaffold & repairs |
| Scaffolding | +£500–£1,500 | upper storeys & chimneys |
Indicative UK figures for guidance. Sources: Checkatrade and MyJobQuote repointing cost guides.
Why the same job can be quoted very differently
Two quotes for the same wall can differ wildly because they are not always pricing the same work. One may assume shallow raking out and a cement mortar; another may include cutting joints back properly and a colour-matched lime mix. Scaffolding, brick repairs and waste removal may be in one quote and absent from the other. Because the labour to rake out and repoint is most of the cost, a number that looks lowest-priced often reflects a shallower, faster job rather than genuine value.
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We'll match you with a vetted brickwork repointing specialist who inspects your wall and quotes on a clear specification — mortar type, area, raking-out depth and scaffolding all set out.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to repoint a house?
A full-house repoint commonly costs between £1,500 and £5,000, working out at roughly £40–£90 per m². A larger three-bed semi can reach £4,000–£12,000 once scaffolding, access and any brick repairs are included. The figure depends on wall area, mortar and access.
Is lime mortar more expensive than cement?
Yes. Lime mortar repointing typically costs £60–£90 per m² against £25–£60 per m² for cement — roughly £10–£20 per m² more. On older soft brick, lime is usually the correct choice despite the higher price.
Why is the price range so wide?
Because walls differ. The area to repoint, the mortar, how deeply the joints must be raked out, the access and scaffolding, and your region all move the figure. A measured quote gives the accurate number for your wall.
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.