🧱 How Much Is Brick Tinting in the UK? A Complete Cost Breakdown
Brick tinting — sometimes known as brick colouring, brick staining or brick refinishing — is a popular way in the UK to refresh and modernise exterior walls without full brick replacement. Unlike painting, it permanently alters the brick’s appearance while preserving texture and breathability.
In this guide you’ll learn:
- What brick tinting is and how it differs from other options
- Typical UK price ranges (with tables)
- Cost factors that influence the final price
- Examples by property type
- How much you might pay per brick area or per project
- Hidden or additional costs homeowners often overlook
- FAQs and budgeting tips
Let’s dive in. ✨
📌 What Is Brick Tinting?
Brick tinting is a process where a specialist coating is applied to masonry to change or enhance the colour while retaining the natural texture. It’s a middle ground between:
✔ Repointing
✔ Painting
✔ Full brick replacement
Unlike paint, brick tinting is generally more durable and breathable, reducing the risk of trapped moisture — a key concern in the UK’s wetter climate.
📊 Typical Brick Tinting Costs in the UK
Here’s what most homeowners spend on brick tinting. These are approximate ranges — your own quote may vary.
📍 Table 1 — Typical Brick Tinting Price Range (UK)
| Property Type / Area Size | Approximate Cost (£) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small house (semi-detached) | £1,200 – £3,000 | Front elevation only |
| Medium house (detached) | £2,000 – £5,000 | Front + one side |
| Large detached house | £4,000 – £10,000 | All sides + trim |
| Commercial property | £5,000 – £20,000+ | Large wall areas |
| Partial area tinting | £800 – £2,000 | Feature zones only |
🧠 Note: These prices assume typical UK brickwork with standard access and no major repairs needed.
🧠 Why Costs Vary So Much
Several factors influence how much you’ll pay:
1. Size of Wall / Project Scale
Naturally, bigger wall surfaces cost more to tint because:
- More material is used
- More labour is required
- Scaffolding may be needed
Example: A large detached property with four sides will cost significantly more than a small semi’s front elevation.
2. Brick Type & Condition
Older bricks with damaged mortar, loose bricks, or heavily soiled surfaces require preparation before tinting. Preparation includes:
✔ Power washing
✔ Repointing
✔ Mortar repair
More prep = higher cost.
3. Access & Scaffolding
If your walls are tall or hard to reach (e.g., two-storey elevations), there may be extra charges for scaffolding or access equipment.
Typical scaffolding costs in the UK can be £15 to £25 per foot, plus installation and labour — before the tinting begins.
4. Colour & Finish Chosen
Premium or bespoke colour matches cost more:
| Finish Type | Typical Cost Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Standard colours | Base price |
| Bespoke matched colours | +10% to +25% |
| Special effect tints | +20% to +40% |
💷 Cost per Square Metre — A Useful Metric
Estimating costs per square metre is often the most precise way to plan your budget.
📍 Table 2 — Estimated Cost per m²
| Type of Tinting Work | Cost per m² (£) |
|---|---|
| Standard brick tinting | £30 – £50 |
| With preparation works | £45 – £75 |
| With scaffolding | £50 – £90 |
| Full house front + sides | £40 – £65 |
Example: A typical detached house frontage of ~50m² may cost:
£40 × 50m² = £2,000
(plus additional walls if priced separately)
🧱 Brick Tinting vs Painting — A Cost Comparison
Many homeowners wonder if brick tinting is more expensive than painting. Let’s compare:
| Treatment | Typical UK Cost | Durability | Breathability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paint (standard masonry paint) | £1,000 – £3,000 | 3–7 years | Lower |
| Brick Tinting | £2,000 – £6,000 | 8–20+ years | High |
📍 Bottom line: Brick tinting tends to cost more upfront but can last much longer with a more natural finish.
📍 Example Budget Scenarios
Let’s run through realistic average projects:
🏠 Scenario A — Small Semi-Detached House
Details:
- Front elevation only (~40m²)
- Standard brick tinting
- Easy access
Estimated Cost Breakdown:
| Cost Component | Cost (£) |
|---|---|
| Pre-cleaning & prep | £200 |
| Tinting materials | £800 |
| Labour | £1,000 |
| Total | £2,000 |
👉 This reflects a straightforward job on a small home.
🏡 Scenario B — Detached House All Sides
Details:
- All four sides (~120m²)
- Some cleaning and mortar work required
Estimated Cost Breakdown:
| Cost Component | Cost (£) |
|---|---|
| Pre-cleaning & repairs | £600 |
| Tinting materials | £2,000 |
| Labour | £3,000 |
| Scaffolding | £800 |
| Total | £6,400 |
💡 This demonstrates how larger surfaces and prep work add significantly to the total.
🏢 Scenario C — Partial Feature Tinting
Details:
- Accent around porch & bay (~30m²)
- Front only
Estimated Cost Breakdown:
| Cost Component | Cost (£) |
|---|---|
| Cleaning & prep | £150 |
| Tinting | £900 |
| Labour | £850 |
| Total | £1,900 |
🎯 A great option when full coverage isn’t needed.
🛠️ What’s Included in the Price?
When comparing quotes, make sure the following are covered:
✅ Pre-project inspection and measurement
✅ Cleaning and surface prep
✅ Tint application (sealer + pigment coats)
✅ Final protective layer (if needed)
✅ Guarantee or warranty (where offered)
If these aren’t included, the price you see may not be the total price.
🧾 Example of a Typical Quote
Here’s a simplified example of what you might receive from a professional supplier like the one at https://www.brickmakeover.co.uk/:
🧾 Sample Quote (Illustrative Only)
| Description | Unit | Quantity | Unit Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Site visit & measurement | Job | 1 | £120 | £120 |
| Brick cleaning prep | m² | 50 | £4.00 | £200 |
| Brick tinting coats | m² | 50 | £40.00 | £2,000 |
| Final sealant (optional) | m² | 50 | £6.00 | £300 |
| Waste disposal | Job | 1 | £100 | £100 |
| Estimated Total | — | — | — | £2,720 |
💡 Final price may vary after survey.
🛡️ Longevity & Maintenance (Value for Money)
One of the reasons brick tinting is worth the price is longevity:
🔹 Lasts typically 8 to 20+ years depending on exposure
🔹 UV-resistant tints help avoid fading
🔹 More breathable than paint, reducing damp issues
Compared to repainting every 5–7 years, brick tinting often saves money over time.
💡 Hidden Costs to Watch For
Before you book, be aware of:
- Scaffolding Fees: Not always included in quotes
- Hidden Repair Work: Rotten mortar or damaged bricks need fixing
- Permit Fees: Rare, but may apply in conservation areas
- Colour Change Revisions: Changing mind after tinting may cost more
🧠 Questions to Ask Before Hiring
Before you accept a quote, ask:
✔ Is surface preparation included?
✔ Is scaffolding covered?
✔ How many coats are applied?
✔ What warranty do you offer?
✔ How long will it take?
✔ Do you match colours to existing features?
📈 UK Regional Price Variations
Costs can vary depending on where in the UK you are:
| Region | Typical Cost Trend |
|---|---|
| London & South East | Slightly above average |
| Midlands | Average |
| Northern England | Slightly lower |
| Scotland & Wales | Depends on access & remoteness |
Labour rates and travel distances can make a difference — but the ranges above still apply broadly.
🧱 Brick Tinting vs Other Brick Treatments
Here’s how tinting compares with alternatives:
| Treatment | Typical Life | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paint | 3–7 years | £1,000–£3,000 | Lowest upfront cost |
| Brick Tinting | 8–20 years | £2,000–£6,000 | Best balance |
| Brick Replacement | Lifetime | £10,000+ | Most expensive |
🧹 Post-Tinting Care
Brick tinting generally needs minimal maintenance:
✔ Rinse annually with low-pressure wash
✔ Avoid abrasive cleaning
✔ Inspect for peeling at 5+ years
Routine care helps ensure the lifespan matches expectations.
💬 Final Thoughts
If you’re considering brick tinting in the UK, costs can vary significantly based on:
- Property size
- Surface condition
- Prep requirements
- Access and scaffolding
- Colour and finish
A ballpark budget for a typical UK house is £1,500–£6,500 depending on coverage and complexity — with bespoke or larger jobs exceeding this.
For accurate pricing tailored to your property, check out the services and quoting options at: https://www.brickmakeover.co.uk/ 🧱✨
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is brick tinting worth the cost?
Yes — because it can extend the life of your exterior finish and reduce long-term repainting costs.
How long does it take?
A small to medium house usually takes 1–3 days, larger houses 3–7 days.
Can I choose any colour?
Many companies offer a wide range — from subtle changes to bold new tones.
Will it peel like paint?
High-quality brick tints bond into the surface, so peeling is much less likely than with traditional masonry paint.
🏘️ Brick Tinting for New Builds vs Older Properties
Brick tinting costs can vary depending on whether the property is newly built or several decades old. New-build homes often have cleaner, more uniform brickwork, meaning less preparation is required before tinting begins. This can reduce overall labour time and keep costs closer to the lower end of the pricing range.
Older properties, especially those built before the 1980s, may require additional cleaning, repointing, or minor repairs. These extra steps can add £300–£1,500 to the total cost, depending on condition. However, brick tinting is often still far cheaper than replacing mismatched or weathered bricks and delivers a more consistent finish.
🧱 Is Brick Tinting Suitable for Conservation Areas?
Many homeowners in conservation areas look to brick tinting as a less intrusive alternative to replacement or rendering. Because tinting retains the original brick texture and structure, it is often viewed more favourably than painting.
While costs remain broadly similar, projects in conservation areas may involve:
- More subtle colour matching
- Additional testing patches
- Longer approval times
These factors can increase prices by 10–20%, but they help ensure the finished result respects the character of the property and surrounding buildings.
🕒 How Long Does Brick Tinting Take (and Does Time Affect Cost)?
Timeframes are generally short compared to other exterior renovation works, which helps keep labour costs under control.
Typical durations:
- Small frontage: 1 day
- Medium property: 2–3 days
- Large detached or commercial: 4–7 days
If weather delays occur or extended drying times are required, costs usually remain stable unless additional site visits are needed. This predictability is one reason brick tinting is considered a cost-effective upgrade.
📉 Can Brick Tinting Increase Property Value?
While brick tinting isn’t a guaranteed way to raise a home’s valuation, it can significantly improve kerb appeal, which plays a major role in buyer perception.
Estate agents often note that well-presented exteriors:
- Attract more viewings
- Reduce time on the market
- Help justify asking prices
Spending £2,000–£4,000 on brick tinting may not add the same amount directly to valuation, but it can help protect value and make a property more competitive—especially in areas with similar housing stock.
🔄 Can Brick Tinting Be Reversed or Changed Later?
Brick tinting is designed to be long-lasting, but it isn’t completely irreversible. Lightening or adjusting colour tones later is sometimes possible, though it usually involves additional tint layers rather than removal.
Costs for future colour adjustments typically range from £25–£45 per m², depending on the new shade and surface condition. This flexibility makes brick tinting a lower-risk option than full brick replacement, while still offering a durable, high-end finish.