When you’re getting quotes for repointing work, it’s tempting to go straight for the lowest price.
Money matters and nobody wants to overpay for a job. But when it comes to repointing, choosing the cheapest option can end up costing you significantly more in the long run. Here’s why.
Why Repointing Quotes Vary So Much
It’s not uncommon to get three quotes for the same job and find they vary by hundreds or even thousands of pounds. There are legitimate reasons why quotes differ — the size of your property, access requirements, the type of mortar needed and the current workload of the contractor all play a part.
However, when a quote is significantly lower than the others, it’s usually a sign that something is being cut somewhere. The question is — what?
The Most Common Shortcuts Taken by Cheap Contractors
Inadequate rake out Before new mortar can be applied, the old damaged mortar needs to be fully raked out to a depth of at least 15mm. This is time consuming work that requires the right equipment. Cheap contractors often skip this step or do it partially, applying new mortar over old. The result looks fine initially but fails within a year or two as the new mortar has nothing solid to bond to.
Wrong mortar mix Using the correct mortar mix for your property is crucial. Older properties, particularly Victorian and Edwardian homes which are common across Manchester, Bury and Salford, require a softer lime mortar that allows the building to breathe and flex naturally. Using a hard cement mortar on these properties traps moisture and causes the bricks themselves to crack and spall. We see this regularly on properties where a cheap contractor has been used previously.
No guarantee A reputable contractor will stand behind their work with a proper guarantee. If a contractor isn’t offering any guarantee on their work, ask yourself why. Quality workmanship backed by experience doesn’t need to hide behind a low price.
No proper accreditation Legitimate contractors invest time and money in registering with recognised trade bodies such as Trust Mark, Fairtrades and Trading Standards schemes. This costs money and requires them to meet certain standards. Contractors who cut their prices significantly often haven’t made this investment — and that tells you something about how they approach their work.
Ladders instead of scaffolding A proper repointing job requires scaffolding, not ladders. This isn’t just a health and safety issue — it’s a quality issue. If a contractor is working from a ladder five metres up, ask yourself how they are holding the ladder, controlling their tools and raking out to the correct depth at the same time. The honest answer is they can’t do all of those things properly at once. Scaffolding allows the operative to work safely with both hands free, maintain the correct posture and apply consistent pressure when raking out and applying mortar. Corners cut on access equipment are corners cut on the quality of the finished work — and on the safety of the person doing it. Always ask your contractor how they intend to access the upper sections of your property before agreeing to any quote.
What to Look for in a Repointing Quote
When comparing quotes, don’t just look at the bottom line. Ask each contractor:
- What depth will you rake out the existing mortar?
- What mortar mix will you use and why?
- Do you carry public liability insurance?
- Are you registered with any trade bodies?
- What guarantee do you offer on the work?
A contractor who can answer these questions clearly and confidently is one who knows what they’re doing and is proud of the way they work.
The Alexander Pointing Ltd Difference
As a family run business with over 30 years experience repointing homes across Manchester and the North West, we’ve built our reputation on doing the job properly. We’re registered with Trust Mark, Fairtrades and the Bury Registered Tradesman Scheme — not because we have to be, but because we believe our customers deserve that reassurance.
We won’t always be the cheapest quote you receive. But we will always be honest, thorough and proud of the work we leave behind.
Call us today on 0161 327 2843 for a free no-obligation quote.