Written by

Sarah Noel

September 26, 2023

Fact-checked by

Tom Grupa

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:

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.

Bowing brick wall repair cost

Bowing brick wall repairs cost $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 $100 to $250 on average to reduce soil pressure against the wall.

• Tree removal costs $300 to $2,000 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.

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.

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 $500 to $2,000 on average or $250 to $800 per crack for epoxy injections.

The cost of brick foundation work often includes:

• Excavation work

• Repointing the wall

• Laying new bricks

• Repairing masonry sections below ground level

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.

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 include:

• Restores older bricks to their original look

• Prevents further water damage

• Improves structural integrity

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 – Leaky flashing repair costs $200 to $500 on average. Masons fix or replace flashing to stop future water damages.

• Height & accessibility – Labor costs increase up 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 transporting orders up to 50 miles. 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.

• 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.

Brick repair FAQs

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

• Excess moisture absorbed inside bricks

• Uneven foundation settlement

• 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

Hiring a mason or brick repair contractor

Before hiring a masonry contractor near you, be sure to:

• 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?