Tuckpointing and masonry repair

Tuckpointing Estimate Template (Free)

By ShowTheReceipts · Updated

Short answer

A tuckpointing estimate needs the wall elevations and square footage being repointed, grinding depth, the mortar mix and whether matching is required, brick replacement by unit, access method — ladder, scaffold, or lift — cleaning and optional sealing, protection of surroundings, and an exclusions list covering structural repair and interior damage. Copy the template below, or use software that saves those rates and bills progress draws.

Essential line items on a tuckpointing estimate

A professional tuckpointing and masonry repointing estimate establishes wall elevation square footage, joint rake-out depth specifications, mortar type formulations (Type N vs Type O historic lime), and replacement unit rates for spalled bricks:

  • Masonry Contractor Header: Business name, logo, physical office address, phone, email, state masonry contractor license number, and commercial liability insurance details ($1M+ policy).
  • Customer & Building Site Metadata: Property owner name, job address, building age (e.g. 1920s Historic Brick vs 1980s Veneer), elevation breakdown (North, South, East, West), and total square footage.
  • Diamond Joint Grinding & Rake-Out Depth: Mechanical grinding of failing mortar joints to a uniform 3/4”–1” depth (or 2.5x joint width) using vacuum-shrouded dust extractors.
  • Mortar Mix & Color-Match Formulation: Historic lime mortar matching (Type O 350 PSI or Type K for soft historic brick vs Type N 750 PSI for modern hard brick) to prevent brick face spalling.
  • Spalled Brick Replacement & Sourcing: Unit rates for removing spalled or cracked bricks, sourcing matching vintage salvage bricks, and setting new face brick.
  • Scaffolding & Aerial Lift Access Fees: Frame scaffolding erection, staging, sidewalk canopy protection, or 50-ft boom lift rentals.
  • Chemical Acid Wash & Siloxane Water-Repellent Sealer: Efflorescence masonry cleaner rinse and breathable siloxane water-repellent sealer application.
  • Draw Schedule, Weather Terms & Exclusions: 30/40/30 progress payment draw schedule, temperature restrictions (50°F+ curing window), and written structural exclusions.

Free Tuckpointing Text Template

Copy and paste the template below to build professional tuckpointing and masonry repair estimates:

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               MASONRY TUCKPOINTING & REPOINTING ESTIMATE
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CONTRACTOR INFO:                           ESTIMATE DETAILS:
[Your Masonry Contractor Name]             Estimate Number: TUCK-2026-0925
[Masonry Contractor License #]             Date: August 3, 2026
[Phone & Billing Email Address]            Estimate Validity: 30 Days

CLIENT & PROPERTY LOCATION:                BUILDING ELEVATION SCOPE:
Client Name: [Homeowner / HOA Board]       Structure: 1928 2-Story Brick Residence
Property: [432 Masonry Way]                Scope: South Wall (600 Sq Ft) & Chimney

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LINE ITEM DESCRIPTION & SPECIFICATIONS                          AMOUNT
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1. Window & Landscaping Poly Protections & Vacuum Setup        $350.00
2. 2-Story Frame Scaffolding Erection & Safety Staging         $950.00
3. Diamond Blade Joint Grinding (600 sq ft @ 3/4" Depth)        $2,700.00
   - HEPA Vacuum Shroud Containment (Zero Silica Dust Spill)
4. Custom Historic Lime Mortar Formulation (Type O Low-PSI)    $450.00
   - Pigment Color-Match Test Batch Approved by Client
5. Full-Bed Masonry Tuckpointing & Joint Tooling (600 sq ft)    $4,200.00
6. Spalled Face Brick Sourcing & Replacement (16 Bricks @ $35 ea) $560.00
7. Masonry Efflorescence Acid Cleaner Wash & Rinse              $480.00
8. Breathable Siloxane Water-Repellent Sealer (600 sq ft)       $900.00
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SUBTOTAL ESTIMATE:                                             $11,590.00
State & Local Material Sales Tax:                              $185.00
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TOTAL ESTIMATED PROJECT COST:                                  $11,775.00
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PROGRESS PAYMENT DRAW SCHEDULE:
- Draw 1 (30% Upfront Material & Scaffold Booking Deposit):     $3,532.50
- Draw 2 (40% Milestone Draw Upon Grinding & Mortar Removal):   $4,710.00
- Draw 3 (30% Final Balance Upon Final Cleanup & Inspection):   $3,532.50

WEATHER CLAUSE: Mortar application requires ambient temperatures between 40°F–90°F.
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Pricing tuckpointing by the square foot vs. joint linear foot

Masonry repointing pricing depends on brick condition, joint depth, and mortar type:

  • Full Wall Face Repointing ($8.00–$22.00 per sq ft): Pricing by wall square footage covers grinding out 100% of horizontal bed joints and vertical head joints, washing, and repointing.
  • Spot Tuckpointing ($12.00–$25.00 per linear foot): Isolated crack repairs billed per linear foot for small sections of damaged mortar.
  • Grinding Depth Specs (Crucial Quality Differentiator): Cheap masons scratch mortar joints 1/8” deep, causing new mortar to pop off within 2 winters. Specifying “grinding 3/4” to 1” deep” proves why your bid lasts 30+ years.

Historic mortar selection (Type N vs Type O) and spalled brick unit rates

Using the wrong mortar strength destroys historic brickwork:

  1. Type O & Type K Lime Mortar (350 PSI - Historic Homes): Pre-1940s clay bricks are soft. Using hard Portland cement (Type S/N) traps water in the brick, causing freeze-thaw spalling. Specifying Type O low-strength high-lime mortar preserves historic brickwork.
  2. Spalled Brick Replacement ($25–$50 per unit): Crumbling bricks exposed during joint grinding must be cut out and replaced. Itemizing per-unit brick replacement pricing up front converts surprises into pre-approved change orders.
  3. Breathable Siloxane Sealer ($1.50–$3.00 per sq ft): Applying a 100% breathable siloxane water repellent prevents rain absorption while allowing interior moisture vapor to escape.

Progress draw schedules and weather protection clauses

  • 30/40/30 Progress Billing: Collect 30% to erect scaffolding and order historic brick, 40% when joint grinding is completed, and 30% upon acid washing and final sealer application.
  • Freezing Temperature Clauses: State clearly that masonry tuckpointing cannot be performed when ambient temperatures drop below 40°F (5°C) to prevent mortar freezing during hydration.

If you also handle structural building repairs, check out our free general contractor invoice template.

Frequently asked questions

Should I quote by wall face or by joint?

Wall face square footage for full repointing, linear foot of joint for spot repairs. Mixing the two on one estimate confuses the customer and makes it impossible to compare against another bid — pick the one that matches the work.

Why state the grinding depth?

Because it's the main quality difference between bids and it's invisible afterward. Grinding to two and a half times the joint width versus scratching the surface is a different job with a different lifespan — printing your depth is the cleanest way to explain a higher price.

How do I handle brick that crumbles when I start?

State a per-unit replacement rate on the estimate, billed with photo approval. Deteriorated brick behind failed mortar is a routine discovery, and pricing the rate in advance turns it into a change order rather than a renegotiation on scaffold.

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