How much should it cost to repoint/tuckpoint a staircase?

TUCKPOINT FOR THE GAWDS MAWMA YASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

OP, the bid you received is reasonable for a highly skilled mason — they are not easy to come by, it is a dying trade though we still need them because of unions getting crushed. But keep in mind that prices can still vary quite dramatically based upon region, size of business, their experience, etc.

I am married to a contractor, I helped build our business. I always told clients to get three bids minimum, but I sometimes got five on larger projects. Ask the contractor what they think is the best solution and why. Ask how they got into masonry, how they were trained….a former union guy is amazing but hard to find. Ask if they warranty their work and for how long. Ask for a couple references, and ask permission to actually call or email his references. Ask him to give you the address for a recent job so you can go see his work (make it clear you won’t trespass on his clients property or bother them, you just want to see it). If the Mason works with helpers, ask if his hellers are subs or employees. Last but not least, ask for proof of insurance. If helpers are subs, then by law they should all also have proof of insurance too.

^ If you do even two of the suggestions I am making here, you’ll be in decent shape and not get ripped off. Best of luck to you, maybe post a pic here so we get to see before/after.

Would it be easier to rebuild the steps rather than patch them? Most builders I know prefer that so they give a lower quote.

Thanks, R2. Useful advice.

Couldn't you just replace the walls with toughened glass panels?

That would probably cost about $1000 fitted.

Isn’t a staircase a set of stairs? What’s the distinction? I can’t picture what the OP is describing.

R5 would be a nightmare to keep clean and looks like it would be awkward in other ways too.

You could probably get the job done cheaper but not better, if this guy is the real deal.

But that price point would make anyone second guess. It would be different if the only thing that needs replaced inside of a decade, but likely this is in addition to other regular upkeep.

Five steps is not a "staircase," Mary. They're front steps. A "stoop."

R7 You can have the glass frosted (or even black frosted) and treated with a rain repellant, I have it on my patio and never touch it.

Absolutely no maintenance, didn't realise it wasn't common in the US?

Yes, "front steps," not a staircase - 5 concrete steps with brick work on both sides, about a foot wide. The brick is higher than the steps and has flat concrete tops where you can put plants. Something like the linked pic.

Sorry, that link didn't work. Here's something similar, though my steps aren't quite that high.

R5, OP is posting about steps. Why are you posting about railings? He never said anything about "walls" or railings. Those glass things you linked to are ugly anyway.

If you're in a HCOL (high cost of living) or VHCOL area the bid was probably reasonable. If you're in a cheaper locale, that would normally be high for five stairs. But these aren't normal times and repair costs are gruesome across the board.

Our house recently required tuckpointing and we got five quotes. One bid was almost $10k higher than the rest, so I called to verify it wasn't a misprint. I'd told the estimator we were new to old brick houses and he sought to capitalize on our inexperience.

Ok now that we see the picture, the quote is probably the most expensive it could possibly be.

OP, you are not talking about a "staircase."

You are talking about exterior steps. Five steps? Please.

Get three bids for the repair work and take it from there. You can't cheap these things or it will show, and if you have brickwork with the concrete (You do know the difference between cement and concrete?) it may be worth saving and not trying a replacement for your bungalow.

Or just send us a photo here so we can see if you know what mortar, steps and masonry mean, since we must wonder.

$2,450 sounds OK to me. $1,000 for the guy's skill & experience. $1,000 for the guy's time. $450 for the materials.