Just finished getting quotes for tuckpointing our 1924 Cabbagetown semi and wanted to share what I found since the spread was bigger than expected.
The project: Front facade (approximately 150 sq ft) and south side wall facing neighbour (approximately 80 sq ft) both showing deteriorated mortar joints. Some spots are recessed 10-12mm — way past due.
Quote 1 (company specializing in heritage masonry): $5,400 for full repointing of both walls. Specified they’d do lime mortar to match the original — important for older brick. Would also replace 8 spalled bricks identified during their assessment.
Quote 2 (general masonry contractor): $3,200. Portland/sand mortar mix. No specific mention of brick replacement.
Quote 3 (handyman/general contractor): $1,800. No specification of mortar type. When I asked, said “standard mortar.”
What I learned: The mortar type issue is critical for 1920s brick. Toronto Heritage Preservation told me using too-hard Portland mortar on soft early brick causes the brick face to spall when the mortar can’t flex with freeze-thaw — the masonry takes the stress instead of the joint. Quotes 2 and 3 didn’t understand this.
What we did: Went with Quote 1. Job took 3 days, result looks excellent. Mortar colour was matched well. No surprises.
The “savings” from Quote 3 would have been false economy on a heritage property.