What should I expect to pay for chimney repointing on a two-storey house in North York?

Expect to pay $2,000 to $5,500 for chimney repointing on a two-storey North York home, with the range depending on chimney size, the extent of mortar deterioration, accessibility, and whether scaffolding is required. Scaffolding typically adds $500 to $1,500 to the project cost but is essential for safe, quality work at height.

A standard residential chimney on a two-storey home in North York is typically 3 to 5 feet wide and extends 3 to 5 feet above the roofline, with the full chimney height from the fireplace or furnace running 25 to 35 feet. The repointing work focuses on the exposed section above the roofline — usually 30 to 80 square feet of brick surface depending on the chimney's dimensions and how many sides are exposed. At $10 to $30 per square foot for repointing, the masonry work itself runs $300 to $2,400. The balance of the cost covers scaffolding or staging, mobilization, cleanup, and any additional repairs discovered during the work.

Repointing is more labour-intensive than tuckpointing because it involves grinding out deteriorated mortar to a minimum depth of 20mm (about three-quarters of an inch) before packing in fresh mortar. This grinding step is critical — if old mortar is not removed to adequate depth, the new mortar has insufficient bonding surface and will crack and fall out within a few freeze-thaw cycles. In North York's climate, with over 50 freeze-thaw cycles per winter, chimney mortar joints take an absolute beating. The chimney is the most exposed masonry element on any home — it has no shelter from wind, rain, ice, or sun on any side, and it experiences the most extreme temperature swings of any part of the building envelope.

Mortar type is critically important for North York chimneys. Many North York homes were built in the 1950s through 1970s with softer brick that requires Type N mortar (a moderate-strength, general-purpose mortar) or Type S mortar (higher strength, suitable for exposed conditions). Your contractor should assess the brick hardness and select a mortar that is softer than the brick — this is a fundamental principle of masonry. If the mortar is harder than the brick, freeze-thaw damage attacks the irreplaceable brick rather than the sacrificial mortar joint. For older pre-war homes in established North York neighbourhoods, even softer lime-based mortar (Type O) may be appropriate.

While the mason is working on the chimney, it makes financial sense to address the chimney crown and cap at the same time, since the scaffolding is already in place. A chimney crown repair or replacement adds $500 to $2,000, and a new stainless steel chimney cap adds $200 to $800. The crown is the concrete cap on top of the chimney that prevents water from entering between the flue liner and the chimney brick — a cracked or deteriorated crown allows water to saturate the chimney from the top, accelerating mortar deterioration from the inside out. Combining these repairs into one project saves a second scaffolding setup, which can save $500 to $1,000.

Chimney work is not a DIY project. Working at the height of a two-storey roofline requires proper scaffolding, fall protection, and experience. The Ontario Building Code and WSIB requirements apply — ensure your contractor has valid WSIB coverage and appropriate liability insurance for work at height. Get matched with experienced chimney and masonry contractors through Toronto Parging and the Toronto Construction Network for free estimates.