How much does masonry work and brick repair cost?

Brick repair cost

Brick repair costs $500 to $2,500 on average or $10 to $30 per square foot, depending on the damage and repair method. Masonry work costs $40 to $100 per hour with a minimum service fee of $250 to $400. Spalling brick repair costs $1,000 to $3,500 on average.

Average cost of brick repair and masonry work

The following table shows the average cost of brick and masonry repair work:

Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.

Brick wall repair cost

The cost to rebuild or repair a brick wall depends on the size, damage severity, and required repair solution.

Spalling brick repair cost

Spalling brick repair costs $1,000 to $3,500 for up to 100 square feet or $250 to $450 minimum for small sections. Masons replace spalling bricks to prevent future brick crumbling. Contractors must also fix the initial spalling causes like moisture issues or improper mortar usage.

Brick veneer repair cost

Brick veneer repair costs $11 to $24 per square foot for replacing loose, cracked, or missing brick pieces. Brick repointing costs $3 to $20 per square foot if only the mortar needs replacing. Prices increase by 20% to 40% for work on two-story buildings.

*Prices include materials & labor.

Bowing brick wall repair cost

Bowing brick wall repairs costs $2,000 to $6,500 per 100-square feet, depending on the issues and repair methods. Common causes include water damage, improper construction, and lack of maintenance.

Repair costs for bowing brick walls can include:

• Wall anchors cost $400 to $900 per anchor, with one at every 5 feet of basement wall.
• Carbon fiber straps cost $3,000 to $5,000 for basement walls 20 to 25 feet long.
• Gutter cleaning costs $110 to $185 on average to reduce soil pressure against the wall.
• Tree removal costs $300 to $800 per tree on average to stop root pressure buildup against the wall.

Cost to repair brick steps

The average cost to repair brick steps is $300 to $750 per step or $15 to $40 per square foot for mortar filling or replacing loose bricks. Replacing brick steps costs $1,500 to $4,400 on average. Mudjacking costs $200 to $400 for leveling sunken steps.

*Prices include materials and labor.

Water damage inside the bricks typically requires replacements.

Brick porch repair cost

Brick porch repair costs $1,500 to $3,000 on average for repointing and fixing small sections. Masons charge $10 to $30 per square foot for replacing a few bricks. Total costs depend on the foundation type, size, and porch design.

*Prices include materials & labor for an average 50- to 100-square-foot porch.

Brick mailbox repair cost

Brick mailbox repair costs $150 to $300 for minor repairs or up to $750 for fixing major damage like leaning mailboxes. A brick mailbox replacement costs $900 to $1,800 on average, including removing the old one.

Brick foundation and crack repair cost

Minor brick foundation repairs cost $2,300 to $6,700 on average or $200 to $800 per crack for epoxy injections. The cost of brick foundation work often includes repointing the wall, excavation work, laying new bricks, and repairing masonry sections below ground level.

*Prices include materials & labor.

Brick chimney repair cost

Brick chimney repair costs $150 to $1,000 on average or $40 to $60 per square foot, depending on the accessibility and severity of damage. Refacing or rebuilding a spalling brick chimney costs $1,000 to $3,500 from the crown down to the roof.

Cost to brick up a window or door

The cost to brick up a window or door is $600 to $1,500, depending on the size, accessibility, and brick type. Prices include removing the existing door or windows. Fees vary according to the new insulation needed behind the bricks and matching new bricks to the existing wall.

Full brick restoration cost

Full brick restoration costs $5,000 to $35,000 on average, depending on the size, the home’s age, and extent of the damage. Restoring brick typically includes cleaning, repointing, replacing damaged bricks, waterproofing, and sometimes applying a decorative mortar wash or paint.

Full brick restoration benefits:

• Restores older bricks to their original look
• Improves structural integrity
• Prevents further water damage

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Masonry work cost

Masonry repair cost factors include:

• Labor – Masonry labor rates are $40 to $100 per hour and vary according to the location and skill level of the mason.
• Cleaning – Pressure washing costs $0.35 to $0.77 per square foot. Some masonry walls need cleaning before repair work starts.
• Type of brickwork – Repairing detailed or patterned brickwork increases labor time.
• Mortar color-match analysis – Testing costs $150 to $325 to match the rest of the existing mortar in the brick structure.
• Mortar composition test – Mortar ingredient analysis costs $300 to $500 for historic building repairs to avoid further damages.
• Sealing – Waterproofing new brickwork costs $2 to $10 per square foot for blocking exterior moisture.
• Flashing – Flashing repair costs $200 to $500 on average. Masons fix or replace flashing to stop future damages from water leaks.
• Height & accessibility – Labor costs increase by 20% to 40% for scaffolding and working in hard-to-reach places.
• Permits – A permit costs $100 to $250 for masonry repair or replacement work, depending on the location and extent of the damages.
• Brick delivery – Sellers charge $60 to $200 more per pallet for orders within 20 to 50 miles, and costs increase for longer distances.
• Painting – The cost to paint a brick house is $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot.
• Waterproofing – Moisture-blocking sealant costs $2 to $10 per square foot to apply.

Masonry lintel repair cost

Masonry lintel repairs cost $500 to $700 per replacement over a window. Replacing a lintel above a garage frame costs $1,000 to $5,000. Most masonry lintels are concrete or steel structural support beams above doors or windows in brick walls.

Cost to repair mortar joints

Repointing or tuckpointing mortar joints costs $500 to $2,500 on average or $3 to $25 per square foot. Mortar joint repairs include replacing the old, decaying mortar with new mortar, either by using a repointing or tuckpointing method.

*Prices include materials & labor.

• Repointing replaces old mortar with fresh mortar to match the old mortar color.
• Tuckpointing replaces the old mortar with new matching mortar, plus adds a thin line of contrasting putty filler for a crisp appearance.

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Frequently asked questions

Is it normal for brick mortar to crack?

Cracks in brick mortar are normal after 20 to 30 years from settling, drying shrinkage, expansion and contraction, moisture variations, freeze-thaw cycles, and the bulging or leaning of walls.

When to worry about cracks in brick

Long horizontal or stair-step cracks typically indicate foundation problems and require an inspection with a structural engineer. Hairline cracks on a few bricks are typically cosmetic surface damage that doesn’t affect the wall strength.

What causes cracks in brick walls?

Cracks in brick walls typically happen due to failing building supports, a sinking foundation, or improper construction.

Other causes include:

• Walls or foundations not designed properly to handle their loads
• Uneven foundation settlement
• Excess moisture absorbed inside bricks
• Foundation movement due to erosion or tree root activity

What causes brick spalling?

Water freezing and thawing inside bricks causes most spalling, or the crumbling of a brick’s surface.

Other causes of brick spalling and flaking include:

• Mortar that’s incompatible with the brick type
• Non-breathable sealants trapping water inside
• Poor rainwater drainage leaking onto bricks
• Foundation moisture damage from improperly graded land
• High-pressure cleaning with sand or water
• Use of the wrong type of brick for exterior walls
• Improper sealing around windows and doors in brick walls

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Hiring a mason or brick repair contractor

When hiring a masonry contractor near you for brick repairs, use this checklist:

• Choose masons certified by:
  • Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA)
  • American Concrete Institute (ACI)
  • International Masonry Institute (IMI)
  • National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA)
  • C-29 masonry contractor’s license in California
  • Local masonry and bricklaying unions
• Compare three or more different bids.
• Be wary of the cheapest estimates that often mean lower-quality work.
• Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
• Check all company licenses, liability insurance, and bond guarantees.
• Get copies of the estimate, contract, and warranty before repairs begin.
• Plan payment milestones instead of paying in full upfront.

Questions to ask masonry contractors

• Do you finish brick repairs with a water-permeable coating?
• Can I see photos of your past brick repairs and a list of references?
• How long have you been doing masonry work?
• For walls, steps, and mailbox repairs, does the foundation need more support?
• Can you match the bricks and mortar to my home’s colors?
• Will you clean the site afterward, and is that an extra fee?
• Can you pull all permits if needed and manage inspections?
• What does your labor warranty include?
• How long will these brick repairs take?
• Are all materials and labor fees in your estimate? What extra costs can I expect?
• What’s the payment schedule?
• Will you give me a contract copy before starting?

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