Repointing is raking out old, crumbling mortar from between bricks and replacing it with fresh mortar, sealing the joints against rain and protecting the wall; brickwork repairs replace spalled or cracked bricks and rebuild damaged sections.
Whether you live in one of the larger towns, such as Bournemouth, Poole, Weymouth and Christchurch, or somewhere quieter in Dorset, the way we handle brickwork and repointing is identical. We survey, agree the specification with you, and confirm a fixed price on paper. Everything is planned under the regulations in force in England, and guide costs in the South West sit at £2,600–£6,100 with VAT.
- Guide price
- £2,600–£6,100 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–10 days for a typical house
- Planning rules
- England
- Price level
- About 2% above the national guide
- Towns listed
- 4
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does brickwork and repointing cost in Dorset?
Below is a breakdown of typical costs for brickwork and repointing in Dorset. Because rates in the South West are about 2% above the national guide, the overall guide comes to £2,600–£6,100, including VAT. Size, materials and access move the figure, and a free-of-charge survey settles it.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Dorset |
|---|---|---|
| Chimney or small area | Repointing a chimney stack, gable or single wall, including access. | £600–£1,850 |
| Typical semi-detached | Repointing the main elevations of a 3-bed semi, including scaffolding. | £2,600–£6,100 |
| Detached or lime work | Larger houses, or period homes repointed in lime with brick repairs. | £5,100–£10,000 |
Your price depends mostly on:
- Mortar type: cement or lime, and joint style
- Number of bricks to replace and how well they match
- Scaffolding and access, including chimneys
- Condition of the existing mortar and how hard it is to remove
What do you get?
- Scaffolding or access towers where needed
- Raking out old mortar to the correct depth
- Mortar mixed to suit the wall, in lime or cement
- Colour and joint style matched as closely as possible
- Clean-down of brick faces after pointing
- Waste removal and a tidy site
Housing across Dorset
Dorset's older villages use Purbeck and Portland stone, chalk and flint, and thatch on cob or brick cottages. Bournemouth and Poole have Victorian and Edwardian villas, large interwar suburbs and plenty of bungalows and flats, while Weymouth, Dorchester and Bridport mix Georgian and Victorian streets with newer estates.
Stone and thatched cottages may need lime repairs and conservation-area window choices. Bungalows around Bournemouth and Poole commonly suit loft conversions, and coastal homes often need roofline, rendering and window renewal.
Salt spray and south-westerly winds affect coastal homes, so external finishes and fixings need to cope with marine exposure.
Do you need permission in Dorset?
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each handle planning a little differently. Dorset comes under England, covered below, and we raise any questions with the council before your quote is finalised.
Repointing and repairing brickwork with matching materials is maintenance, so it does not need planning permission in England. On a listed building, work that affects its character, including a change of mortar or brick, may need listed building consent.
Building Regulations do not normally apply to repointing or brick repairs, but rebuilding a wall, chimney or structural section can need building control involvement.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
The four stages
Survey and measure
A free survey comes first. It gives us what we need to price brickwork and repointing properly, including dimensions, existing materials and access for deliveries, and gives you the chance to ask anything you like.
Quote in writing
You get the price in writing, itemised so you can see where the money goes. As long as the specification stays the same, that is the price you pay for brickwork and repointing.
Booking the work
Next comes planning the work itself. We set a start date that suits you, line up the right trades, and make sure any approvals for brickwork and repointing are in place before the first day on site.
The work itself
Our trades complete brickwork and repointing while your point of contact keeps you updated. When everything is finished, we clear the site, take away waste and go through the result with you before handover.
What you can expect from us
Questions about brickwork and repointing in Dorset
Which postcodes in Dorset do you cover?
We cover BH1, BH14, DT3 and BH5, along with the rest of Dorset. If your postcode is not listed, get in touch anyway: our coverage is UK-wide, and we can usually arrange a survey wherever you live. Enter your postcode in the guide-price tool or contact form and we will confirm.
How much does repointing a house cost?
Repointing a typical 3-bed semi costs £2,600–£6,100, including scaffolding. As a guide, allow roughly £25–£55 per square metre of wall plus fixed costs for access and set-up. Chimney stacks, lime mortar and brick replacement add cost, while repointing a single elevation costs less. We confirm a fixed price after inspecting your walls.
When is the right time of year to repoint?
Repointing should be done in mild, dry weather, usually spring to early autumn. Fresh mortar must be kept from frost while it cures, and lime mortar in particular needs protection from frost, rain and strong sun for several days. We cover fresh work with hessian or sheeting where needed and plan the job around the forecast.
How long will brickwork and repointing take?
On a typical home, allow 3–10 days for a typical house. Larger projects, older buildings and extra work found once things are opened up can extend that, while simpler jobs may be shorter. Your quote includes an estimate of time on site, and your point of contact keeps you updated on the programme as the work progresses.
How do I know if my house needs repointing?
A house needs repointing when the mortar between bricks is crumbling, recessed well behind the brick face, cracked or missing. You may be able to scrape it out with a key. Damp patches inside, especially on exposed walls, and plants growing in joints are other signs. Patches of failed mortar can be repointed on their own, but widespread decay usually means a full elevation.
Towns in Dorset
These are the towns in Dorset where you can book a free survey for brickwork and repointing. Each has its own page with guide prices and coverage details.