How Much Does Brick Repair Cost?

Brick Repair Costs by Type

The type of brick repair determines how much you'll pay for the job. Simple mortar repair jobs cost significantly less than structural damage and bowing.

Bowing Brick Wall Repair Cost

With an average price of $4,250 per 100 square feet, repairing a bowing brick wall is a costly endeavor. Water damage, poor construction, age, and inadequate maintenance can cause bowing brickwork. How much you'll pay depends on the type and severity of the damage and the repair methods necessary to correct it. 

If you have large trees too close to the wall, for example, the tree roots’ pressure may cause the bowing, so removing the tree can remediate the issue. Tree removal costs between $300 and $800 per tree. 

However, if leaking gutters cause water damage, you'll likely need the wall repointed and may also require wall anchors. One anchor is required per 5 feet of foundation or basement wall, which costs between $400 and $900 per anchor. Gutter problems or a lack of grading commonly cause these problems but can be avoided fairly inexpensively.

Consider that gutter cleaning costs $70 to $250 while the cost to level or grade a yard is around $3,000, which is far less expensive than the cost of foundation repairs. Compare that to the cost of having to install wall anchors across just 50 feet of wall, which would set you back up to $9,000. 

Brick Mortar Repair Cost

Mortar repair costs $3 to $25 per square foot, or an average of $14 per square foot. Repair includes removing old, cracked mortar and filling in the spots with new mortar, either using a tuckpointing or repointing technique. Tuckpointing uses the same color mortar as the old brick, then uses a small groove of light-colored mortar or filler to give the illusion of tight lines. Repointing simply fills in the old gaps of removed mortar.

Made from sand, water, and cement, mortar acts like a glue and lasts about 25 years without maintenance. Over time, exposure to the elements can cause it to deteriorate. Crumbling mortar, if left unattended, can cause structural damage.

Brick Porch Repair Cost

Repairing a brick porch costs around $2,500, assuming a moderate repair that requires repointing or tuckpointing, some patching and fixing of cracks, and replacing some areas of brickwork. To replace bricks costs around $10 to $30 per square foot, and replacing a 100-square-foot porch with a new brick one of the same size will run you between $3,500 and $8,000.

Brick Step Repair

At an average price of $525 each, brick steps are costly to repair, and can run you anywhere from $300 to $750 per step. Leveling sunken steps, or mudjacking, costs $200 to $400 per step. If you need a whole stoop replaced with up to 5 steps, expect to pay between $1,500 and $4,400.

Spalling Brick Repair 

For spalling brick repair, expect to pay around $2,250, or between $1,000 and $3,500 per 100 square feet. The term “spalling” describes the crumbly, flaked, and pitted appearance it gets after years in climates with freeze-thaw cycles, improper installation, nonbreathable sealants, or high-pressure water cleaning.

Repairs mean removing all spalling bricks and replacing them. Many jobs require only removing and replacing a few individual pieces. Large jobs might require rebuilding entire sections of wall.

Brick Restoration 

Full brick restoration costs anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 or more, depending on the size of the project. It includes restoring any spalling, cracks and replacing as needed.

Most restoration projects happen on historic homes. Restoration, unlike simple repairs, focuses on matching the new work to the look and texture of the original installation.

Brick Foundation & Wall Crack Repair 

Foundation crack repair costs $250 to $800 for minor problems. Major repairs can run $2,000 to $10,000 or more. Cracks larger than ⅛-inch may indicate structural issues. For large cracks, contact a structural engineer or a local foundation repair contractor.

Exterior walls above grade cost a little less but depend on how high the mason must work off the ground. Average prices include:

• One-story home: $450–$650

• Two-story home: $650–$850

• Three-story home: $1,000+

• 10% to 25% more for repairs done above 10 feet

Brick Mailbox Repair 

Major brick mailbox repairs cost $500 to $750. Minor cracks may run half that. You’ll find most of the same problems with your mailbox as you would with a wall, fence, or chimney, unless someone hit it with a car. But in most cases, you’re looking at repairing spalling or mortar.

Brick Chimney Repair 

Brick chimney repair costs $175 to $1,500 depending on both the extent of any damage and ease of access. It’s one of the tougher places to work, requiring more time to set up safety equipment. It also takes more time to do the actual work, especially if removal becomes necessary.

Brick Lintel Repair

Lintel repair typically costs $500 to $700 for a window lintel. However, a garage door lintel is more costly, at $1,000 to $5,000. Lintels are essential structural supports that go above doors and windows.

Brick Veneer Repair

It costs between $11 and $24 per square foot to repair brick veneer, including replacing broken or damaged pieces. You'll only pay $3 to $20 per square foot if the veneer just needs repointing. Replacing brick veneer is less costly than replacing solid face bricks, which cost up to $40 per square foot.

Brick Masonry Repair Labor Cost

A brick mason charges, on average, $1,000 to $2,500. They charge anywhere from $40 to $75 per hour. Most of the price of a project comes from the highly skilled labor they provide. Add 50% to 100% to the price of labor for work done off the ground, usually above 10 feet, where your pro needs other equipment, like scaffolding.

Brick and Masonry Repair Cost Factors

The type and cause of the damage are only two considerations that influence price. There are several others, including the type of brick, the extent of the damage, and the

Type of Brick

The size, color, and type of brick impact repair costs, because anything other than standard red brick costs more in terms of materials. Brick prices vary from $0.40 per brick for regular red brick, up to $10 per brick for hard-to-find antique brick. 

Additionally, if the brickwork is patterned, ornate, or detailed, expect to pay up to 50% more in labor; detailed and non-standard work takes longer.

Extent of Damage

How much damage the wall exhibits impacts how much you'll pay to fix it. Repointing or tuckpointing a few square feet of wall, for example, costs significantly less than installing anchors and fixing foundation damage. Sealing, pressure washing, and adding flashing can also increase material and labor costs.

Experience

The experience of the mason you choose can also increase the price. Newly qualified masons will cost significantly less than master masons with decades of experience. For simple jobs, hiring a newly qualified or less experienced pro is a smart move to limit costs. However, for a complex or more important job, hiring a mason with lots of the right type of experience may cost you more, but it’s the better option.

DIY vs. Hire a Professional Mason

The investment of well-done brickwork can last hundreds of years and is something you’ll reap when you sell. Get the job done right the first time; leave repairs to a professional mason. This isn’t a DIY job. It’s a specialized task that requires a specialist to get it done right. This is particularly true of any restorations needed on historic homes.

For professional work that’ll last 20 to 30 years, hire a brick mason. When hiring a pro, find a fully licensed, insured, and bonded pro to do the job. This protects your property and ensures your safety.