How Do You Calculate the Cost of Repointing Brick?
Calculate the cost of repointing brick by determining the surface area that needs work, the depth of the joints and the number of people completing the job. Other factors that may influence the cost include the total price of materials and the type of tools used, as manual work typically costs more than using an electric grinder.
Begin by finding the total area of the brick space that needs repointing, which typically involves multiplying the length of the wall by the height. In situations where the wall has an odd shape, such as a polygon with multiple sides or slanted areas, you may need to break the surface down into smaller sections and add the individual values together. Next, measure the depth of the joints, as shallow joints often mean the job requires more attention and thus more work. Also decide whether to perform a full repointing or a tuck-pointing, which may require additional work again in the future.
Present these figures to the contractor, and discuss the possibility of using an electric grinder to speed up the procedure. Electric grinders allow for faster removal of existing mortar, and thus a lower cost, but require additional skill and increase the likelihood of damaging the brick. These tools require a joint depth of at least 1/2 inch. Also decide on the number of workers for the job and the qualify of materials, which may increase the total price significantly.
