In short: lime mortar repointing typically costs £60–£90 per square metre in 2026 — about £10–£20 per m² more than cement (£40–£60/m²). Add raking out at £20–£50/m² and scaffolding at £500–£1,500 where needed. London and the South East run 20–35% higher, and stonework is dearer at around £80/m².
Lime mortar repointing costs more than ordinary cement repointing, and on a period property that extra cost is the right money to spend. Below are current 2026 UK ranges, what makes up the bill, and the extras — scaffolding, raking out and access — that move the final figure.
Cost per square metre (2026)
| Mortar / wall type | Typical cost per m² | South East |
|---|---|---|
| Cement mortar (modern brick) | £40–£60 | £50–£75 |
| Lime mortar (period brick) | £60–£90 | £75–£110 |
| Lime on stonework | £75–£100 | £90–£130 |
These are guide rates for the repointing itself. Raking out and scaffolding are often shown separately — see below — so always check what a quoted rate includes.
What you are paying for
A lime repointing price covers more than mortar in a joint:
- Materials — lime (hydraulic lime or lime putty) and the right sand, which cost more than sand and cement.
- Raking out — removing the old mortar to a sound depth without chipping soft bricks.
- Skilled labour — mixing and applying lime to suit the wall, then finishing the joint.
- Curing and protection — lime needs to be kept damp and shielded from sun, frost and heavy rain while it sets, which takes time.
Why lime costs more than cement
Cement mortar is cheaper to buy and quicker to use — it sets fast and is more forgiving. Lime is a slower, more careful craft: the materials cost more, the work cannot be rushed, and the finished joint has to be protected while it carbonates over weeks. That is the trade-off for a mortar that keeps an old wall breathing and protects the brickwork for decades.
Cost by job size
Every property is different, but as a rough steer:
- A chimney or a single small area: often a few hundred pounds, with scaffolding the biggest factor — see our chimney repointing cost guide.
- One elevation of a house: roughly £1,500–£3,500 in lime, depending on height and condition.
- A whole terraced or semi-detached period house: commonly £4,000–£9,000 or more, once scaffolding and raking out are included.
- A detached period property: higher again, driven by wall area and access.
The extras that move the price
Two things change a repointing quote more than the rate per square metre:
- Scaffolding — roughly £500–£1,500 for a typical house, more for larger or awkward access. Keeping work to ground level or one elevation reduces it.
- Raking out — around £20–£50 per m² if priced separately, and more where old cement has to be removed from a period wall.
Condition matters too: crumbling joints, previous cement repairs and soft or damaged bricks all add time.
Regional differences
Labour rates in London and the South East typically run 20–35% above the national average, so the same job that costs, say, £6,000 in the Midlands can reach £8,000–£10,000 in the South East. As a Hampshire-based firm we price to the local market and to the actual wall.
Making sure you get the right mortar
The cheapest quote is not a saving if it uses hard cement on a soft old wall — that can spall the bricks and lead to a far bigger bill. If you are unsure which your house needs, read cement vs lime mortar: which does your house need first.
Figures are 2026 UK market guides drawn from published cost data and our own experience; treat them as ballpark. Your real price depends on access, wall condition and where you are.
Getting a price for your repointing
Repointing is priced after we have seen the wall, because access and condition make such a difference. If your property is in Hampshire, Berkshire or Surrey, send us the details and we will come and look.
Frequently asked questions
How much does lime mortar repointing cost per m2?
In 2026, lime mortar repointing typically costs about 60 to 90 pounds per square metre in the UK, compared with roughly 40 to 60 pounds per square metre for cement mortar. Stonework tends to be higher, around 80 pounds per square metre. London and the South East usually run 20 to 35 percent above these figures.
Why is lime mortar repointing more expensive than cement?
Lime materials cost more than sand and cement, and lime work is slower and more specialist. Joints have to be raked out carefully to avoid damaging soft old bricks, the mortar is mixed and applied to suit the wall, and lime needs protecting while it cures. That extra time and skill is why lime repointing usually costs around 10 to 20 pounds per square metre more than cement.
How much does it cost to repoint a period house with lime?
As a rough guide, repointing one elevation of a period house in lime might be 1,500 to 3,500 pounds, and a whole semi-detached or terraced house 4,000 to 9,000 pounds or more once scaffolding and raking out are included. A detached period property can be higher again. The figure depends heavily on access, wall condition and how much old mortar has to come out.
Does lime repointing need scaffolding?
Anything above safe ladder height does. Scaffolding is often the single biggest line on a repointing bill, adding roughly 500 to 1,500 pounds for a typical house, more for a larger or awkward property. Ground-floor and single-elevation work may need only a tower or none at all, which keeps the cost down.
Is raking out included in the repointing price?
Sometimes it is quoted within the per square metre rate and sometimes it is shown separately, often around 20 to 50 pounds per square metre. Raking out old, hard or previously cemented joints without harming the bricks is skilled work, so it is worth checking whether a quote includes it before comparing prices.
How much more is lime than cement repointing?
Lime repointing usually costs around 10 to 20 pounds per square metre more than cement. On a small job that is a modest difference, and on a period property it is money well spent, because using the wrong hard cement mortar can damage the brickwork and lead to a much larger repair bill later.