Vancouver & the Lower Mainland
Brickwork and masonry costs in Vancouver
Repointing brick in Vancouver runs $10 to $25 per square foot, and new brick or stone veneer $25 to $50. Chimney and structural work is quoted per job because no two are alike. Our rain is the reason masonry here needs attention sooner than in drier parts of the country — water sitting in failed mortar joints is what does the damage.
What it costs
| Repointing | $10 – $25 / sq ft | Raking out failed mortar and replacing it |
| New brick or stone veneer | $25 – $50 / sq ft | Material choice drives most of the spread |
| Chimney and structural repair | quoted per job | Depends entirely on what's found on inspection |
Typical Lower Mainland ranges for planning purposes — every project is quoted individually after a free site visit.
What actually drives the price
- Access and height — anything above the first storey needs scaffolding, which is a cost line of its own before a single brick is touched
- Matching existing brick — sourcing brick that matches a heritage home is sometimes the hardest part of the job
- Mortar type — older Vancouver homes often need a softer lime mortar, and using modern hard mortar on soft brick causes the brick itself to spall
- Water damage behind the wall — failed joints let water in, and what it did back there isn't visible until the wall is opened
Common questions
How do I know if I need repointing?
If mortar is crumbling, receding, or you can scratch it out with a key, it's time. Left alone, water gets behind the brick and the repair stops being cosmetic.
Why does matching old brick cost more?
Because it often means sourcing reclaimed brick or custom colour-matching. On heritage homes this is normal and worth doing properly — mismatched patching is permanent and obvious.
Is my chimney safe?
Get it inspected if you haven't in years, particularly on older homes. Vancouver is in a seismic zone and unreinforced masonry chimneys are a known risk.
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