Tuckpointing · Sydney
Federation tuckpointing Sydney
We restore the tuckpointed (tuck and point) finish on older brick homes across Sydney: the joints re-filled in mortar coloured to the brick, and the fine raised white line run again.
Typical price$100–$180 per m², GST included. What sets it
- 15+ years in tuckpointing
- Free inspection and quote
- No minimum job size
What tuckpointing is
Coloured joints. Fine white lines.
Tuckpointing gives older brickwork its fine, straight lines. The joints are filled flush with mortar coloured to match the brick, then a raised line of lime putty is laid along their centre. A familiar finish on Federation homes, it makes uneven old bricks read as neat courses.
We restore worn joints and cracked or missing lines, matching the original width, height and colour so repaired sections sit quietly beside the rest.
Signs it needs work
- Lines cracked or missingThe white lines are cracked, patchy or gone in places.
- Soft, sandy jointsThe mortar behind the line is soft or sandy, or falling out.
- Repairs that stand outEarlier repairs don’t match the colour or line of the rest.
- Paint or render over brickPainted or rendered brick you would like back to the brick, with its lines.
Our work · Mosman
The same verandah. Its detail restored.
A Federation verandah wall tuckpointed, with its white quoins and dark band course kept sharp.
Read the Mosman project
Before
After
How it’s done
Good tuckpointing starts beneath the line.
Good tuckpointing starts with the preparation: loose, crumbling mortar cut back to a sound depth and the brick edges left clean, before any new mortar goes in.
Raking out
Old, loose mortar is cut out to a sound depth without chipping the brick edges.
Colour-matched mortar
The joints are re-filled flush in mortar tinted to blend with the brick, so the joint itself disappears.
The tuck line
A fine raised line is run along each joint, matched to the width and colour of the line that is already there.
Cleaning down
Mortar smears are cleaned off the brick face as the work goes, so the finished wall is crisp.
More than 15 years’ trade experience in tuckpointing and rendering.
Tuck line studio
Choose the line for your wall.
Try joint colours, line colours and widths, then drag the divider to compare worn joints with a restored front.
On your job, the joint colour and line are matched to the existing work and agreed with you on the wall before we start.
Typical prices
Tuckpointing pricing.
The wall, its existing finish and the preparation it needs set the scope. We explain the proposed work before you decide.
Tuckpointing and repointing cost in SydneyWhat tuckpointing usually costs
Prices include GST. Your quote follows a free inspection and a written scope for your wall.
Get a free quoteWhat shapes the quote
Area of brickwork
A single pier, a verandah or a whole façade: the amount of wall sets the scope.
Condition of the joints
Deep, sandy mortar takes more preparation than joints worn only at the surface.
Height and access
Scaffolding, narrow side passages and hard-to-reach walls affect the work involved.
Repairs and coatings
Damaged bricks, paint or render may need attention before the tuckpointing starts.
What is the difference between tuckpointing and repointing?
Repointing replaces failed mortar so the wall keeps out water. Tuckpointing is a decorative finish on top of that: coloured joints with a fine raised line. Many old fronts need both, and we will tell you which yours needs before we quote.
Can you tuckpoint just one wall or a damaged section?
Yes. There is no minimum job size. Matching a section to the surrounding work is a normal part of the job.
How long does tuckpointing last?
Well-done tuckpointing typically lasts 20 to 30 years before the joints need attention again, and often longer on a sheltered wall. Weather exposure, damp and any movement in the wall shorten it, and the fine tuck line usually shows wear before the mortar behind it fails.
Can painted or rendered brick be tuckpointed?
Yes, once the coating has been taken back to sound brick. We check whether the brick underneath is worth exposing before we quote. Tuckpointing can also be added to suitable brickwork that has never had it.
How do you match the original finish?
We look at the existing mortar colour and the width, height and colour of the tuck line. The mortar colour and line width are agreed with you against the existing work before the job starts, especially when a repaired section needs to sit beside older tuckpointing.
What happens before the tuckpointing starts?
We check the condition of the brick and joints and whether any repairs or coating removal are needed first. Raking out old mortar creates dust; ask us how windows, paths and nearby surfaces will be protected, and how access will be arranged for your wall.
Why do quotes for the same wall differ, and how do I compare them?
Quotes can cover different work. One may rake out only the loosest mortar while another takes every joint back to a sound depth, and the mortar mix, how the finish is matched, access and scaffolding, and cleaning down all change the price. Compare quotes on the same area and finish, and ask each what is included and what is not. Any scaffolding your job needs is included in our quote.
How soon can you start, and how long will the work take?
We start as soon as we can once you accept the quote. As a guide, a small repair, a single lintel or most crack stitching takes a day or two, repointing a brick front fence one to two days, and tuckpointing a single-storey brick front about a week. Larger or higher walls, scaffolding and wet weather add time. Tell us about any renovation deadline when you enquire and your quote will give a realistic start date and duration.
Does a heritage-listed home need approval for brickwork repairs?
Check the listing and the proposed work before starting. For a local heritage item or conservation area, ask your council about approval or a maintenance exemption. State Heritage Register properties also have Heritage NSW requirements. Like-for-like work is not automatically exempt; the relevant conditions still need to be met.
Related services
Other work your wall may need.
Brick repointingFor worn, sandy mortar joints, with or without a decorative tuck line.
Brick stainingWhen replacement bricks or earlier repairs stand out from the wall.
Brick cleaningFor mortar smears, grime or staining that obscure the brick’s colour.Where we work
Tuckpointing across Sydney
We work across the five regions below. Find service information, project examples and local heritage guidance for your area.
Find your suburbSome of our project locations
What happens next
From your call to a finished wall.
The inspection and quote are free, and nothing is booked until you’ve said yes to the quote.
Get in touch
Call us, or send the form with your suburb and a few photos of the wall if you have them. We’ll call you back as soon as we can.
A look at the wall
We look at your photos, and come out to inspect where the wall needs a closer look.
Your quote
We explain the work, what the quote covers and the finish you’ll get, so you can decide.
We book the work
Once you accept, we start as soon as we can and arrange any scaffolding the job needs. Most jobs take from a day or two to about a week, depending on the size of the wall and the weather. You don’t need to be home while we work.
Cleaned down
Mortar smears and dust are cleaned off the wall as we go, so it’s left clean for you to check against the quote.
Free inspection & quote
Let’s bring your tuck lines back.
Tell us about the brickwork and the suburb. A single pier or a whole façade: there is no minimum job size. We’ll tell you whether it needs tuckpointing, repointing or repairs before we quote.
0402 133 821Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm · Saturday, 9am to 3pm · Sunday closedastutetp@gmail.comSending photos? A whole-wall photo shows the size and access; a close-up shows the joints and any damage.