A masonry repair estimate should distinguish between cosmetic repair and structural repair — they're priced very differently, and conflating them is a common source of confusion.
What to look for
- Repointing versus full rebuild — repointing (replacing mortar joints) is far cheaper than rebuilding a section, and a quote should be clear about which is being proposed.
- Mortar mix matched to the existing brick — using the wrong mortar hardness on older brick can actually accelerate damage.
- Root cause addressed — cracking brick is often a symptom of settling or drainage issues, not just a masonry problem on its own.
If the estimate doesn't mention why the damage occurred in the first place, ask — patching over a foundation issue doesn't solve it.