Heritage Masonry
Repointing and repair of historic brick and stone in Ottawa's heritage districts and on designated properties, following the district plan.
Too few published prices to quote heritage work as a whole. Lime-mortar repointing alone runs about $15–$45 per sq ft (published Ontario contractor pricing, 2025–26; yours will differ).
Find a MasonAbout Heritage Masonry
Ottawa has over 300 individually designated buildings and 20 heritage conservation districts. Under the Ontario Heritage Act, "alter" includes to restore, renovate, repair or disturb, and in a district an owner needs a permit to alter any part of a property other than the interior, unless the district plan exempts that class of work.
Three district plans we read (Centretown and Minto Park, Wilbrod/Laurier and Daly Avenue) list regular ongoing maintenance such as repointing as not needing a heritage permit; Centretown adds "using heritage methods and materials". The Wilbrod/Laurier plan says new mortar must match the original in colour, pointing method and composition: "soft, lime rich mortar rather than a cement based mortar". Centretown says sandblasting is not an appropriate method.
Other districts may differ, so check your district's plan; for a Part IV designated property, check your designation by-law. Designated and district properties are not subject to the City's building-permit exemptions. Email heritage@ottawa.ca with questions.
The City's Heritage Property Grant offers up to $15,000 for small-scale and $35,000 for large-scale buildings designated under Part IV or Part V, on a matching basis. It could fund repointing of exterior brick but is not intended for regular ongoing maintenance. Applications for the 2027 program run October 19 to November 30, 2026; check eligibility with the City.
Ask the mason about their lime mortar work and how they will match colour and joint profile. Lime repointing runs about $15 to $45 per square foot (published Ontario contractor pricing, 2025–26; yours will differ).
What This Work Covers
- Lime-based mortar matched in colour, pointing method and composition
- Replacement brick matched in size, colour and texture
- Work planned around your district plan or designation by-law
- No sandblasting; cleaning method agreed before work starts
- Scope written down so you can take it to the City
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What this work costs
Common questions about heritage masonry
- Lime mortar for repointing a stone house in rural Ottawa?
- Cleaning century brick on an Ottawa house, what's safe?
- Do I need a heritage permit to repoint in Centretown?
- Should old Ottawa brick get lime mortar or Portland cement mortar?
- What should repointing the front of my Glebe house cost?
- When can I apply for the Ottawa heritage property grant?
- Finding an Ottawa mason who repoints with lime mortar?
- Repairing an old limestone house wall in Ottawa's Lowertown?
Other Masonry Services
Repointing & Tuckpointing
Worn, cracked or missing mortar cut out of brick and stone joints and refilled, with the mortar, the cutting method and dust control set out in the quote.
Spalled Brick Replacement
Bricks with flaking, popped or broken faces cut out and replaced with matching units, with the cause of the damage discussed before the patch.
Stone & Brick Veneer
Natural stone, manufactured stone and brick veneer installed or repaired, with ties, flashing and weep holes built to Ontario's Building Code.
Brick & Stone Steps
Brick and natural stone entrance steps built, rebuilt or repaired, with the footing, the permit question and the City licence asked about up front.
Brick & Stone Garden Walls
Freestanding brick and stone walls that do not hold back soil, built or repaired, with height limits and the City licence asked about first.
Stone Wall Repair
Loose, missing and cracked stones in the natural stone walls of a house reset and repointed above ground, with the mortar and permit question settled first.
Ready to Get Started?
Tell us about your heritage masonry job and we will send it to local masons in Ottawa. They reply by email.