Pointing Cost Calculator

Example Data Table

Sample scenarios showing how geometry, depth, and labor affect total cost.

Formula Used

• Module size: L_m = (brick length + joint thickness), H_m = (brick height + joint thickness)
• Courses per meter: C = 1 / H_m
• Bricks per meter: B = 1 / L_m
• Joint lengths per m²: L_bed = C, and L_vert = (B · C · brick height)
• Total joint length: L_tot = L_bed + L_vert
• Wet mortar per m²: V_w,m² = L_tot · t · d
• Wet mortar: V_w = V_w,m² · Area · (1 + waste%)
• Dry ingredients: V_dry = V_w · dry factor
• Split by ratio: Cement volume = V_dry · (cement parts / total parts); Sand volume similarly
• Cement bags: bags = (cement volume · cement density) / bag weight
• Grand total: subtotal → add overhead% → add profit% → add tax%

How to Use This Calculator

1. Enter the total surface area that needs pointing.
2. Use actual brick dimensions and joint thickness from drawings.
3. Set rake depth to match the specified joint preparation.
4. Adjust wastage and dry factor to reflect site practice.
5. Choose the cement:sand ratio required for durability and color.
6. Enter local material prices, labor productivity, and lump sums.
7. Click Calculate to view totals, unit rate, and quantities.
8. Export the report as CSV or PDF for estimates and records.

Professional Guide: Pointing Cost Planning

1) Why pointing budgets matter

Pointing is a small item on drawings, but it can become a major cost driver on refurbishment, façade works, and boundary walls. Productivity drops when access is difficult, joints are irregular, or specifications demand deeper raking. A clear estimate protects your bid, keeps the crew supplied, and reduces rework caused by weak mortar or inconsistent joint filling.

2) Quantity drivers you should measure

The wet mortar demand is governed by three geometry inputs: joint thickness, rake depth, and total joint length. Total joint length depends on brick module dimensions (brick size plus joint). Smaller bricks, thicker joints, and higher course counts increase joint length per square meter and raise mortar volume.

3) Wet-to-dry conversion for ordering

Materials are purchased as dry ingredients, so a dry factor is applied to convert wet mortar volume to dry volume. This factor accounts for bulking, voids, and handling losses. Typical site practice uses 1.30 to 1.35, but the best value is based on your trial mixes and mixing method.

4) Mix ratio and durability considerations

A richer mix (more cement) improves strength and weather resistance, but increases cost and may change color. Always match the project specification and consider exposure conditions. The calculator splits dry volume into cement and sand volumes using the selected cement:sand ratio, then converts cement volume to bags using density and bag weight.

5) Labor productivity and access

Labor is often the largest variable. Hours per square meter rise with deeper raking, narrow joints, hard mortar removal, or strict finish requirements. Access (scaffold, boom lift, or ladders) directly affects both labor hours and plant allowances. Use your historical rates or a short time-and-motion study to set realistic productivity values.

6) Example data walkthrough

Example: Area 50 m², joint 10 mm, rake 15 mm, wastage 7%, dry factor 1.33, ratio 1:4, cement bags 50 kg, cement bag price 16, sand price 22 per m³, labor 0.25 hr/m² at 3.50/hr, overhead 10%, profit 12%, tax 0%. The model estimates about 0.055 m³ wet mortar and about 2.11 cement bags. Your local prices then generate a unit rate for bidding.

Use this example to validate your assumptions. If your crew completes 50 m² in a day, your hours per m² may be lower. If the wall is high-rise access, add scaffold and adjust productivity upward.

7) Reviewing markups and risk

Overhead and profit should reflect your business model and project risk. Older masonry can require extra preparation, trial panels, and cleaning, so include contingency within wastage, labor hours, or a lump sum. When the scope is unclear, pricing a conservative unit rate is often safer than underestimating joint preparation effort.

8) Using outputs in BOQs and invoices

The calculator outputs total cost and cost per m². These are ideal for BOQs, variation pricing, and progress claims. Export the CSV for spreadsheets or the PDF for submittals, and archive the input assumptions to maintain traceability across revisions.

FAQs

1) What is pointing in masonry work?
Pointing is the process of raking out defective mortar joints and refilling them with fresh mortar to improve appearance, weather resistance, and joint durability.

2) How do I choose an appropriate rake depth?
Use the specification first. In practice, 12–20 mm is common. Deeper raking increases mortar volume and labor, but can be necessary when old mortar is weak or friable.

3) Why does the calculator use a dry factor?
Wet mortar volume must be converted to dry ingredient volume for ordering. The dry factor accounts for bulking, voids, and handling losses during mixing and placement.

4) What cement:sand ratio should I use?
Follow the project specification. Typical ratios range from 1:3 to 1:5 depending on exposure and desired strength. Richer mixes cost more and may change color.

5) How can I estimate labor hours per m²?
Start with past project data, then adjust for access, joint condition, and finish requirements. A short field trial over a measured area provides the most reliable productivity rate.

6) Should I include scaffold and tools in unit rates?
If access is significant, include scaffold or plant as a lump sum or allocate it per m². Separating it improves transparency when comparing alternative access methods.

7) How accurate are the material quantities?
They are engineering estimates based on joint geometry and assumptions. For critical work, verify with a trial panel and adjust wastage, dry factor, and productivity to match site conditions.