Read our guide to tuckpointing costs – what you need to know and how to get the best deal
Nothing is more beautiful than a brick house that is in excellent shape. However, to maintain the appearance of this type of home, you must regularly have your brickwork tuckpointed by a professional mason who is knowledgeable on how to care for and maintain your brickwork and the cement that fills the gaps around them.
The typical cost of residential tuckpointing is $15 for every square foot. However, the price per square foot might range from $5 to $25 or more, according to the neighborhood market, the house’s condition, and other variables. Let’s discuss these factors in further detail:
7 Variables that Influence Tuckpointing Cost
- The total cost of the tuckpointing project can vary depending on a number of variables. When requesting quotations from a masonry company for your project, keep the following cost factors in mind:
Project Size
- Masons often bill per square footage. The project’s square footage is the highest cost element, although other elements will also have an impact on the cost.
Elevation and Approachability
- The mason will charge extra if the structure is higher from the ground. It will cost significantly more to tuckpoint a fireplace that is on a four-story roof and difficult to access than it would to tuckpoint a brick chimney within your home.
Season
- Masons typically prefer working outside in the milder weather of the springtime and fall. After the job is finished, the air must remain between 40 and 90 °F for approximately 1 to 3 days. Prices for urgent work will probably be significantly higher in the cold or during intense heat waves.
Type of Mortar
- The type of cement your mason employs will have an impact on the final price. Supplies won’t be charged separately; the mason’s price will cover both labor and supplies.
Historic Preservation
- The mason may be required to follow specific federal, state, or local standards for brick restoration if your home is regarded as a historic site. This can raise the price.
Hyperinflation and Regional Labor Costs
- Due to the continued worldwide labor and material shortages, project costs are extremely high. If you require tuckpointing service this season, plan to pay more than usual for labor, bricks, and mortar.
Damage
- Before tuckpointing, you might need to fix your chimney’s condition if mortar degradation has compromised its structural integrity. If the brick is damaged, some experts might advise pulling out the chimney and rebuilding it, while others might be able to fix it. A complete chimney repair will cost around $1000 and $3000, whereas a basic chimney replacement charges about $750 and $1,000.
Why is Tuckpointing Costly?
- Tuckpointing can be costly for a number of reasons. Limitations in reaching the region that requires tuckpointing, a notably perilous position, or extra care required owing to historical requirements are just a handful of the numerous causes tuckpointing can be an expensive job.
Even simple tuckpointing can be extra costly because it calls for a highly skilled mason, specialized equipment, and in-depth expertise. Simply put, exceptionally skilled workers are more expensive. Before choosing a mason, you can try to limit your costs by requesting various bids.
Is DIY Tuckpointing Possible?
Even though doing your own tuckpointing is conceivable, you should be aware of how considerable labor-intensive work is required. To prevent creating a “crooked” impression by missing to keep mortar joints look level, exceptional precision is needed, which can only be achieved if you hire a pro.
To make sure there are no structural problems, it is a great idea to have a local expert in tuckpointing inspect your bricks. Remember that foundation-related wall cracks, disintegrating bricks, and fissures in the brickwork cannot be repaired by tuckpointing. Schedule a chimney check as soon as possible if your chimney is crumbling or cracked.
To sum it up, it is difficult to figure out how much a tuckpointing service could cost. To learn tuckpointing charges for your home, contact the experts at Dupont Tuckpointing. We will be happy to come to you and take a look at your brickwork. Then, we will provide a free estimate so you can plan your budget. Dial us today to get started!
