COST GUIDES
Repointing a chimney: Average cost breakdown 2026
Updated 02/26
Over time, constant exposure to the elements begins to take its toll on a chimney. Repointing is a great way to repair your chimney, but what's the typical cost of repointing a chimney?
What is repointing?
Why is it important?
Different materials involved
Factors affecting overall price
Scaffolding and when it is needed
Why you need to consider sizes
Other services you may need
Frequently asked questions
Your chimney is designed to withstand all kinds of weather conditions.
Record-high temperatures in the summer
Heavy storms and wind-driven rain
Freezing cold winters
Eventually, the mortar between the bricks will wear down, leaving your home susceptible to leaks and structural damage.
In this situation, chimney repointing is the fix, but how much does repointing a chimney stack cost?
Fast Facts
The average cost of repointing a chimney in the UK is £750
Prices depend on chimney size, access difficulty, and whether scaffolding is required
Repointing your chimney when needed will help to prevent structural damage and water ingress
The average cost of repointing a chimney is approximately £750.
However, the total cost varies depending on several factors, including:
The size of your chimney
The condition of bricks and materials
Accessibility
Regional labour rates
Keep reading to find out the typical chimney repointing costs in the UK, along with the signs to look out for that your chimney stack needs to be repaired.
Chimney repointing is needed when the outer layer of mortar on a chimney starts to deteriorate. This restorative process will improve your chimney's appearance and increase its structural integrity.
How much does chimney repointing cost in 2026?
| Cost provided item | Unit | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| Raking out existing mortar | Per m² | £35 |
| Repointing brickwork | Per m² | £55 |
| Repointing stonework | Per m² | £80 |
| Repointing a chimney | Ea | £750 |
| Scaffold tower | Ea | £300 |
| Scaffolding | Per m² | £20 |
| Last updated: June 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | ||
The average chimney repair cost for repointing is around £750.
However, as mentioned earlier, your total chimney repointing cost will vary based on a number of factors, such as the size of your chimney, accessibility, its condition, and where you live in the UK.
Data verified by our professional estimators
Estimators are CIOB & RICS members
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Cost of chimney repointing by type
One of the key factors that will influence the cost of chimney repointing is its size. Here are some ballpark averages to help guide your budget:
Small chimney on a low-level roof: £300
Medium-sized chimney on the gable end of a semi-detached house (with scaffolding): £800
Chimney in the middle of a semi-detached house (with scaffolding over the ridge): £1,000
If you're planning wider home improvements, we can help with that too. At Checkatrade, you’ll find guidance on everything from chimney stack repairs and roof maintenance to wood burner installation and repointing.
Need a hand planning your budget?
Why not try out our handy job estimator?
Simply inputting a few details about the job will give you a good idea of what the price of the job may be in your local area.
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Chimney repointing prices per project
Your total project cost will depend on whether the chimney can be repointed, or whether chimney stack repairs are needed. Here's what to expect in terms of average costs:
Repointing a chimney stack cost
Expect to pay in the region of £750 for repointing a chimney stack.
Chimney stack repair cost
If cracks in the mortar are left unchecked, it could lead to more expensive chimney stack repair costs.
A partial chimney rebuild will typically cost between £600 and £1,000
Fully rebuilding the part of the chimney stack above the roofline will usually cost somewhere between £1,000 to £3,500
Removing a chimney stack typically costs between £260 to £340 per metre
How much is a new chimney UK?
Installing a brand new chimney in the UK will typically cost between £2,000 and £4,000
To completely replace an existing chimney can cost anywhere from £4,000 to £15,000
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What affects the cost of chimney repointing in the UK?
The exact cost to repoint a chimney stack will vary based on several factors. Here are the main ones to be aware of:
Chimney size and type: Larger chimneys, or those made of stone, typically cost more to repoint. Repointing brickwork costs around £55 per m², compared with £80 per m² for stonework
Extent of the damage: Severe deterioration may require additional repairs
Accessibility: Chimneys that are hard to access may require scaffolding, increasing overall project costs
Location: Chimney stack repointing costs will often be higher in big cities and the capital, where demand is higher
Labour costs: Chimney and roofing contractors typically work in pairs, but you can expect higher costs if the job is more complex and requires a bigger team
Hidden chimney repointing costs to watch out for
We've touched on a few of these already, but when planning your budget for the cost of chimney repointing, remember:
Scaffolding: Essential for high or hard-to-reach chimneys
Additional repairs: Damaged bricks or flaunching (the mortar at the top of the chimney stack) may need repair or replacement
Waste disposal: Check with your repointing contractor whether waste disposal – e.g., to remove old mortar and debris – is included as part of your quote
Cost of hiring repointing services vs DIY
You may be tempted to save on the cost of repointing your chimney by taking a DIY approach.
However, it's not a good idea to repoint a chimney yourself unless you're familiar with the process and have been trained in how to work safely at height.
Your chimney's pointing is an important part of protecting your chimney, roof, and even the inside of your home from leaks. So, it's not something you'll want to skimp on.
A checked repointing contractor will:
Carry out the work safely and efficiently
Make sure of a job done right
Ensure that your pointing looks spot on and lasts the test of time
Repointing contractor day rates
When calculating the cost to have a chimney repointed in the UK, you'll need to factor in the cost of labour, as well as materials and scaffolding.
The day rate of a roofer is around £200 per day. However, you'll usually need to budget twice this amount, as roofers tend to work in pairs for safety reasons.
The cost of labour will usually be worked into your total chimney stack repair cost, together with the cost of materials and any scaffolding needed (budget around £20 per m² for scaffolding).
On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.
Chimney repointing cost checklist
The size, condition, and accessibility of your chimney will affect repointing costs
Check if scaffolding and waste removal are needed/included in your quote
Ask if any additional repairs are needed, e.g., brick replacement or flaunching
Get a selection of quotes from checked repointing contractors to ensure you receive a fair and competitive price
Things to consider with chimney repointing
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FAQs on chimney repointing costs
Repointing your chimney involves removing deteriorated or damaged mortar from the joints and replacing it with new.
The brick or stone that your chimney is made from will be extremely long-lasting. However, mortar deteriorates much more quickly, which can cause gaps to grow in the joints and water to seep in.
If left unchecked, this can cause:
Structural damage to the roof
Potential leaks in your property
If the structure of your chimney deteriorates enough, you could even end up forking out on expensive chimney stack repair costs.
Repointing is an important way to protect and improve the stability of your chimney's structure. Plus, new pointing will freshen up the look of your stone or brickwork.
The cost to repair a chimney depends on the type of repair needed, as well as your location, the size of the chimney stack, and how easy it is to access.
Repointing is one of the most common chimney repairs. The average cost of repointing a chimney in the UK is £750.
Costs can be high due to the need for skilled labour, safety measures such as scaffolding, and the complexity of accessing and repairing chimney structures.
If you're wondering whether to repoint or rebuild your chimney, the answer is that it depends.
If only the mortar joints are damaged, repointing is usually an effective fix. However, sometimes, mortar damage can result in damage to the masonry itself.
If the masonry damage is only minor and affects just a small part of the chimney, repointing is usually still the best solution
If masonry damage is extensive, you may need to consider a partial or complete chimney rebuild to restore its structural integrity
That depends on the roofer's experience and the issue with your chimney.
Most roofers will carry out work such as chimney flashing repairs and chimney cap replacements. However, not all roofing technicians will have the experience to deal with cracked or missing mortar.
Instead, a checked chimney repointing contractor will be able to help.
Although they're often used interchangeably, there is a slight difference between repointing and tuckpointing.
Repointing refers to the process of renewing damaged mortar joints, either on a chimney or elsewhere on your property
Tuckpointing is a style of pointing that uses different colours of mortar. One colour matches the shade of the bricks to blend in, the other colour is used on the joints, creating the illusion of thinner mortar joints
Here are the key signs to look out for:
Damaged mortar joints
Cracked chimney crown
Spalling bricks
It's difficult to inspect your mortar joints from the ground, and it's not safe to climb on your roof to take a look.
Instead, contact a checked chimney specialist or repointing contractor to inspect your chimney stack, especially if you start to notice cracks on the chimney joints. If left too long, the crack could widen and leave room for water to seep in.
Once your chimney has been repointed correctly, it shouldn't need further repointing for at least 30 years. In fact, a really good repointing job could even last up to 100!
However, if you know that your chimney hasn't been repointed in decades and you suspect that the mortar joints may be damaged, it's probably time to get a repointing contractor in to take a look.
How long it takes to repoint your chimney will depend on its size and how easy it is to access.
While a small chimney will usually take less than a day to repoint, a larger chimney could take two or three days.
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