- 18 Oct 2026
- 5 min read
Short answer: a good repointing quote is in writing and gives a fixed total price, a breakdown of the work and materials, how long the price is valid and when it can go up. Get at least three, make sure each covers the same work, and be wary of a price far below the rest. This page is general advice. It applies to any contractor, including us.
What a written quote should include
Citizens Advice says a quote is a fixed price, whereas an estimate is a rough guess. A proper quote should show:
- a fixed total price, not a daily rate
- a breakdown of the work and materials, with separate costs for each material and part of the job
- how long the price is valid
- when the price can go up
Which? and the Federation of Master Builders add: start and finish dates, material costs, whether rubbish removal and clean-up are included, how delays are handled, and that any change is confirmed in writing.
Repointing details worth asking about
No consumer body we found lists these as required quote items. They are our suggestions, drawn from SPAB and Historic England guidance, and they make quotes easier to compare.
- Mortar type. SPAB says lime is normally the most appropriate mortar on an old building, matched to the existing in colour, texture and strength. New mortar must be weaker than the bricks or stones. Read more in lime vs cement pointing and why cement damages Yorkshire stone.
- Trial panel. SPAB strongly encourages sample panels so you can approve the finish before the whole wall is done.
- Timing and protection. SPAB advises avoiding winter where possible and protecting new work from frost, rapid drying and rain.
- How much is being repointed. Historic England says sound mortar should be left alone and the causes of decay, such as faulty gutters, fixed first. A fair quote should say why each area needs work.
- Raking out. Ask what depth the old mortar will be taken back to and how. We always try to rake out without damaging the stone, edges and arrises. We rake to around 20mm, using an angle grinder where it is safe to and a plugging chisel where it is not. On lime-built and listed walls we rake out by hand. Where hard cement has to come out of wide joints, we may make a careful thin cut along the centre of the joint and remove the rest by hand, after a trial area. We don't use grinders on fine joints or ashlar.
Scaffold and access
Ask whether access is in the price. NSJ generally quotes scaffold in the job as a separate item, or you can arrange your own. Work at height is covered by HSE rules, so any contractor should be able to explain how the job will be reached safely.
Comparing quotes like for like
Citizens Advice recommends at least three written quotes. A much lower price can mean less skill, dishonesty, or that the quote does not cover the same work. Which? makes the same point: the cheapest is not always best, and a low quote can mean corners cut or poorer materials. Line the quotes up against the same list: area, mortar, depth, access, clean-up and dates.
Red flags
- Will not put the quote in writing
- Will not give references
- A price far below the others
- Routine cement pointing on an old building, which SPAB calls a common mistake
Schemes and insurance
If a trader says they belong to a trade association or approved scheme, Citizens Advice says to check the scheme's own member list. That goes for every contractor, us included. We found no competent person scheme specific to repointing, so be cautious about any that is claimed.
Ask to see insurance and check it will not expire before the work finishes. Citizens Advice lists public liability, employers' liability (a legal requirement if the trader has employees) and professional indemnity (for design work or advice).
Where to start with NSJ
Send photos and a short description through the contact page and we will say what we think is needed. Cost ranges are in our guide to how much repointing costs in Yorkshire.
Questions people ask
- What should a repointing quote include?
- A fixed total price, a breakdown of work and materials, how long the price is valid and when it can rise, all in writing. It is also worth asking about mortar type, a sample panel, how deep the old mortar is raked out, access and clean-up.
- How many quotes should I get for repointing?
- Citizens Advice recommends at least three written quotes, each covering the same work so they can be compared fairly.
- Does scaffold have to be in the quote?
- Ask whether access is included. NSJ generally quotes scaffold in the job as a separate item, or you can arrange your own.
- Should I only use a contractor who belongs to a trade body?
- Check any scheme or trade body a contractor claims against the scheme's own member list. We found no repointing-specific competent person scheme, so also ask about references, insurance and what the quote covers.
Sources
These are plain references so you can check them yourself. They are general guidance, not NSJ policy, and not a promise about any particular property.
- Citizens Advice, Before you get work done on your home (citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/getting-home-improvements-done/before-you-get-building-work-done/)
- Which? Trusted Traders, How to work with your trader (trustedtraders.which.co.uk/articles/how-to-work-with-your-trader/)
- Federation of Master Builders, Five things you need to know about getting a quote for building work, and How to avoid disputes with your builder (fmb.org.uk)
- SPAB, Repointing (spab.org.uk/advice/repointing)
- Historic England, Repointing Brick and Stone Walls (paraphrased)
- HSE, Work at height (hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/introduction.htm)