What is the Average Price for Tuckpointing Tuckpointing Price | Alexander and Xavier Masonry

Tuckpointing Cost Ultimate Guide

HOW MUCH DOES TUCKPOINTING COST? AVERAGE AND ESTIMATES FOR EVERY HOMEOWNER

Tuckpointing or repointing needs to be done from time to time especially on chimneys, exterior brick walls, and other masonry areas that are exposed to the harsh elements. How much will it cost you?

Your home’s brick takes a lot of abuse, especially exterior veneers, chimneys, and patio areas. With time, the mortar in between the bricks can get damaged and need to be replaced or repaired. That’s where tuckpointing or repointing comes into play.

What is tuckpointing and what is the average price for tuckpointing repairs? Let’s see!

What Is Tuckpointing Anyway?

What is the Average Price for Tuckpointing Tuckpointing Price | Alexander and Xavier Masonry

You’ve probably heard the terms “tuckpointing” and “repointing” used when talking about brick repair. Are they the same?

While a lot of people, even experienced masons, sometimes use them interchangeably, there are a few differences that you should understand so you know exactly what you’re paying for.

Repointing refers to the process of removing old mortar and replacing it with new mortar.

Tuckpointing, on the other hand, involves a little more. The new mortar is made to be the color of the existing brick.

Then a thin groove is cut in the center of the new mortar joint and filled with a contrasting color mortar. This gives a more refined look that appears as a straight, thin mortar joint.

So, how much will repairs like this cost?

What is the Average Price for Tuckpointing?

Tuckpointing repairs can vary greatly in price depending on a variety of factors. Regardless of the factors, the price of most repointing and tuckpointing repairs is calculated based on the total square footage of the area to be repaired.

Tuckpointing repairs average about $5 to 25$ per square foot.

Repointing is a little less and averages about $3 to $15 per square foot.

What goes into the cost of tuckpointing Tuckpointing Cost | Alexander and Xavier Masonry

So if you would like to tuckpoint your home’s front brick veneer that is 40 feet long and 8 feet high, the price might range from $1,600 to $8,000.

Repointing the same area of brick might cost from $960 to $4,800.

Now you might be thinking… why such a big price range?

Factors That Affect the Price of Tuckpointing Repairs

Repointing Mortar Joints | Alexander and Xavier Masonry

A lot depends on the labor involved.

The materials used in tuckpointing repairs are actually quite inexpensive. So what makes up most of the cost is the labor.

If you live in an area with more expensive labor rates for construction jobs, then your tuckpointing costs will be higher. Also, anything that makes the job require more man-hours, will quickly drive up the tuckpointing price.

For example…

In the previous section, we mentioned the example of tuckpointing the 8-foot tall facade on the front of your one-story house. This job would likely be on the lower end of the price range because the workers won’t have to spend as much time working on scaffolding and ladders.

But as soon as the workers need to start using scaffolding, the price will quickly go up.

Scaffolding is expensive to purchase/rent, transport, and set up safely. And work done on scaffolding always takes longer because of safety concerns and the need to transport materials up to higher levels.

So if you have a multi-story house or need tuckpointing repairs to your chimney, you can expect to pay more towards the higher end of the price per square foot.

Other Things that Affect the Cost of Tuckpointing Repairs

If your home’s brickwork is starting is in need of repointing repairs, chances are you may need extra repairs as well.

Your chimney may need to be rebuilt and some bricks may need to be completely removed and replaced. 

Common Things that Make Your Chimney Leak | Alexander and Xavier Masonry

Keep in mind that those repairs will be an additional cost.

Most areas around brick are critical areas of your home’s construction where moisture could potentially get into your home.

If your brick is starting to have problems, there’s a good chance some of the weatherproofing (like flashing and caulking) around your brickwork may need to be repaired as well.

It’s best to do this at the same time as any tuckpointing repairs to avoid extra expenses down the road.

Intricate brickwork with extra corners and joints take longer to repair which could potentially increase the labor costs.

Since it’s much harder for a contractor to do a job like this in the middle of a cold winter, check with them to see if the time of year could affect the price at all.

How often Should Tuckpointing be Done?

How Often Should Tuckpointing be Done Tuckpointing Cost | Alexander and Xavier Masonry

Tuckpointing is usually needed every 25 to 30 years, but it depends on where your home is situated. If you live in a climate with heavy rain, high humidity, and freeze/thaw cycles, you may need more frequent tuckpointing repairs, since the mortar breaks down faster when exposed to these harsh elements.

However, even if it’s needed more often, it’s worth it. Deteriorating mortar joints, if left unrepaired, can lead to the complete failure of a brick structure, which will end up costing you a lot more!

Can I Do My Own Tuckpointing?

Kind of Repair Tuckpointing Price | Alexander and Xavier Masonry

Yes, you can opt not to hire a tuckpointing company and do the job yourself, especially if you just want repointing repairs (where you just refill the joints).

However, to save time and get the best end result, leave tuckpointing to the professionals. Hiring a good contractor can truly pay off, especially if you’re covering a large area or are dealing with a multi-story home.

Want a FREE Tuckpointing Repair Quote?

If you want to schedule some tuckpointing repairs or aren’t even sure if your bricks need repairs, give us a call at…

Alexander and Xavier Masonry in Garland, Texas.

We’d love to help you determine which is the most cost-effective repair for your home and give you a FREE quote.

Give us a call today!

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