Repointing demand

[Andrew@pangbourne berks]

Is there a demand for repointing services using tradtional materials? Rebuilding fallen arches on bay window terraces?

I'm thinking of setting up a company to do just these things. I've worked as a bricklayer for 20 years but need to know if now is the right time to make the move.

I have repointed and repaired a few houses but am unsure of the demand, so any feedback would be great.

I live in a terrace built around 1880. I have just replaced the bay window roof and arches. Inside I found a traction engine ticket for 1886, a birds nest with an egg, and a wasps nest as big as a football.

 

[Penners]

I can't speak specifically for the Berkshire area, Andrew, but judging by the number of threads we have from people looking for reliable builders who will work in lime, rather than cement, I'd say you stand a good chance of a full order book. It will just be a question of getting your name around.

How about advertising in the 'Seeking Specialists' area of this website?

 

[BMcD]

Cement mortar used for soft masonary will allow rain water to penetrate the masonary rather than the mortar and then as the water dries out it brings with it salts which crystalise as the water evaporates, breaking up the masonary. Using lime mortars the reverse is true. Lime mortars will need repointing every so many years But use cement mortars and you're more likely to need to rebuild your wall. Just walk down any street and you see brickwork eroded away far below the surface of the cement pointing! This is a result of mortar/pointing being too dense and insufficiently porous. If people were aware of that then the demand will be there. Just make them aware

 

[Gervase]

Is there a demand for repointing services using tradtional materials? Rebuilding fallen arches on bay window terraces?

Short answer - yes.
Long answer - depends where you are, how good your local contacts are, how good your local conservation officer is and how good you are at publicising yourself.
If you work on price, expect around £30 a square metre repointing - not enough to retire on, and certainly less than blocklaying if you're charging £2.50 a block.
On the other hand, you may be lucky and find sympathetic clients (or bring them round to your way of thinking) and be able to agree an hourly/daily rate that reflects your skills. It still won't match what you'd get for modern work, but will approach it, and be a lot more satisfying.
Client-wise, private restorers often baulk at the cost when you give them a realistic quote for lime work, but local authorities and conservation bodies tend to know what's involved and be realistic about the costs. They are considerably slower to pay than most private clients, however!

 

[David Q]

Sounds a good idea to me, however I would advise that you dont limit yourself to pointing. General building (stone and brick) with use of lime and some lime mortar and plaster experience should give you a full order book. Lord alone knows how long I have been looking for someone!

 

[Craig]

There are a few conservation brickwork companies out there and I dont think they are cheap, so I would guess there is demand.

As an example : http://www.fmb.org.uk/publications/masterbuilder/august04/traditional.pdf see Page 4 - Emma Simpson's company