Find and hire the best pointing specialists
When it comes to pointing and repointing work, you’ll want to make sure you find and hire the best pointing specialists near you.
You might think that good-quality brickwork doesn’t need much upkeep. However, as it gets older, you might start to notice signs of weathering to the mortar joints.
In this guide, we’ll give you helpful tips and advice for finding reliable and experienced pointing experts in your area. Keep reading to find out more.
What is pointing or repointing?
Pointing refers to the process of filling and sealing the outer joints on brickwork, typically using mortar.
Successful pointing will both enhance the strength and structural integrity of the brickwork. It also protects it from weathering and deterioration.
Repointing is when you repair old and/or damaged pointing work. This involves removing existing mortar and replacing it with a fresh mortar mix.
Both pointing and repointing are particularly important for the brickwork of older buildings, which will often suffer from weathering and decay.
Who is qualified to do pointing work?
Typically, bricklayers and plasterers are the most common tradespeople to offer pointing and repointing services.
Depending on the style of pointing, you may need to find and hire the best pointing specialists who are specifically trained to carry out the work, e.g. bead or tuck jointed pointing.
What qualifications do pointing specialists need?
As a general rule, there’s no major accreditation specifically for pointing and repointing.
However, various national bodies offer certifications and accreditations for tradespeople in the UK.
If possible, look out for pointing experts who have any of the following qualifications or accreditations:
- Competent Person Scheme
- NVQ (National Vocational Qualifications)
- City & Guilds Certifications
- CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) Card Certification
How much does pointing and repointing cost?
On average, the cost of pointing and repointing brickwork in the UK is around £55 per m2.
For stonework, the average pointing cost is around £80 per m2.
For repointing, you’ll also need to factor in the cost of raking out the existing mortar. That will cost around £35 per m2.
To find out more about prices, check out our guide to repointing costs.
Can I repoint brickwork myself?
If you’re a confident and experienced DIY enthusiast, you could repoint brickwork yourself. However, it’s important you have the right tools for the job and you carry out the work properly.
Poorly pointed brickwork or stonework can cause various issues, including staining the wall, wasting materials, and compromising the strength of the brick or stone structure.
Because pointing affects the strength and structural integrity of the brickwork, we would generally recommend hiring an experienced local pointing specialist to do the job.
Benefits of hiring a pointing specialist
Here are some of the benefits of hiring a professional to carry out your pointing or repointing work:
- You can be confident the work will be done to a professional standard
- They will already have the right tools for the job
- It keeps your brickwork in optimum condition
- Avoid unnecessary wastage of materials
- Saves you the time and hassle of doing the work yourself
- An experienced pointing expert will be able to flag any other related issues that might need addressing
Questions to ask local pointing / repointing experts
The best way to find out if a local pointing specialist is right for the job is to have a chat with them.
By asking a few specific questions, you can find out who has the right skills and experience…
Do you have references from previous customers?
Speaking to previous customers is an excellent way of finding out the quality of the service that a tradesperson offers.
Do you have insurance?
Whatever home improvement job you’re planning, it’s important to work with tradespeople who have the appropriate insurance.
They’ll need suitable cover for their work, just in case anything goes wrong.
That’s why we make it mandatory for all Checkatrade members to have up-to-date public liability insurance to be listed in our directory.
What’s your availability and when can you do the work?
The best local pointing experts will often get booked up in advance. So, the earlier you book them in, the better.
It’s also a good idea to ask them how long they think it will take them to carry out the work. And exactly what you can expect as part of the job.
How much do you charge?
It’s always important to find out how much they’ll charge you for the pointing or repointing work.
Make sure you ask for a breakdown of costs so that you can compare them with quotes from other tradespeople.
As part of the quoting process, make sure they give you details of exactly what is included in their price – such as labour, materials, and waste disposal.
Does your work come with a guarantee?
Many pointing specialists will offer a guarantee for their work. And good news if you hire through Checkatrade…
Checkatrade members come with the Checkatrade guarantee! This covers their work for up to 12 months, giving you additional peace of mind when you use us to book a tradesperson (T&Cs apply).
How do I find and hire the best pointing specialists?
Checkatrade has two quick and easy ways to find the best pointing experts near you:
- Request a quote by telling us what you need doing and we’ll get approved pointing specialists in your area to contact you directly
- Enter your postcode into the search box below to browse a list of top Checkatrade pointing experts near you
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