The $25,000 Tuckpointing Job in Chicago, IL
Aka the Mostly OK Mortar Makeover
Welcome to Nosy Neighbor, where we ask all the questions you can’t about home projects and money. From incredible deals to domestic dramas, we’re bringing you real stories—and the real numbers.
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Age: 33
Location: Chicago, IL
How much did you pay for your home?
Over $1 million
What was the project, and why did you do it?
Tuckpointing—which means redoing the mortar in between bricks—and power washing the house because our inspector said we needed it. (And because the house looked a little dirty.)
What did you think it was going to cost?
$25,000
What did it actually cost?
$25,000
How did you get the money to pay for the project?
Savings
What did you splurge on?
We splurged [on the work itself] because it was foundational to our house.
But?
…but we’re not super happy because we didn't know how much it should’ve cost or what to look for during QA with the contractor after.
What was the most surprising cost?
The whole thing!
What was the most stressful, emotional, or exciting part of the project?
We originally got a quote that we thought was super high. I still don't know if we overpaid.
Any advice?
Use Angi in the future—I needed more education and didn't know where to find it or how to ask the right questions.
