Historic masonry restoration is the repair of old brick and stone using materials and methods that suit the original build. In Bristol that usually means Pennant stone, limestone and soft Victorian brick in places like Clifton, Redland, Cotham and Totterdown. Typical jobs include repointing in lime mortar, replacing eroded stone with matching pieces, cleaning, and fixing damage caused by earlier cement repairs.
What to look for
- Lime mortar experience. Hard cement mixes trap moisture and break up soft brick and stone.
- A mortar sample or analysis so the new joints match the old in colour, texture and strength.
- Knowledge of listed building and conservation area rules. Ask who handles consent.
- Photos of finished work on buildings of similar age, plus references.
- A written scope that says how much will be raked out and how joints will be finished.
How our scoring helps
We compare the 7 businesses listed here on the same criteria, so you can see who has real heritage experience rather than who advertises loudest. Our methodology explains the inputs. To see the full ranking across masonry trades, read the ranked guide to Bristol masonry contractors.