How Much Does It Cost to Limewash or German Smear a Brick House?

The short answer

For a professionally applied exterior decorative wash, Brick Restoration’s typical range is $12,000–$25,000. A one-story home of about 1,800 sq ft with brick on all four sides comes in around $12,500. Interior projects — a fireplace surround or accent wall — cost a small fraction of that.

You’ll see much lower numbers online (often $1.50–$5 per sq ft for limewash). Those figures usually describe a painter brushing limewash over brick that’s already in good shape. They typically don’t include masonry repair, mortar matching, sample panels, or a sealer — and they rarely describe mortar-based finishes like German smear and slurry, which are masonry labor.

What drives the price

1. Brick area. The biggest factor. Not your home’s living square footage — the square footage of brick wall.
2. Height and access. Two-story walls, gables, and chimneys need ladders or scaffolding and take longer.
3. Finish type. Whitewash and limewash are faster to apply; German smear and slurry are hand-worked mortar.
4. Repairs. Cracks, failed mortar joints, efflorescence, and spalled brick must be fixed first — and the repair has to be invisible under a light finish.
5. Detail. Arches, soldier courses, columns, and lots of windows add cutting-in time.
6. Sealer. A breathable water repellent after application is strongly recommended and adds cost — and years of cleaner-looking finish.

How to estimate your brick area

A rough method:

1. Measure the perimeter of each bricked wall (length in feet).
2. Multiply by wall height (≈ 9–10 ft per story).
3. Add gables and chimneys.
4. Subtract big openings — garage doors, large windows (a quick rule of thumb is 10–20% off for typical windows and doors).

Example: single-story, 60 × 30 ft footprint, brick on all four sides → Perimeter 180 ft × 9 ft = 1,620 sq ft − ~15% openings ≈ 1,375 sq ft of brick.

Quick (by home size)Detailed (by measurements)

Home size (living sq ft)

Sides with brickFront onlyFront + sidesAll four sides

Stories12

FinishWhitewashLimewashGerman smearSlurryNot sure yet

Brick conditionGood — few or no cracksSome cracks / mortar issuesLots of repair needed

Estimate my project

Reference: a one-story, ~1,800 sq ft home with brick on all 4 sides runs about $12,500 with Brick Restoration.

Ways to manage cost

• Start with the front elevation. Many homeowners wash the street-facing side first.
• Bundle repairs. If you already need crack or mortar repair, doing it together with the wash avoids paying for prep twice.
• Ask about financing. Brick Restoration offers monthly payment options.

How long does it take?

For a one-story, ~1,800 sq ft home, Brick Restoration’s full process typically takes 7–10 days, including repair, sample approval, application, and cure.

Is it worth it?

Curb appeal is the first thing buyers see, and a well-executed wash transforms a dated facade for far less than re-cladding. Just make sure the quote you compare includes the same things: repairs, sample panel, application, cleanup, and sealer.

Keep reading

GuideDIY Brick Wash vs. Hiring a ProWhich brick washes are realistic DIY projects, which aren't, and the mistakes that most often ruin a DIY limewash or German smear.4 min readGuideBrick Washes in Houston: Humidity, Heat, Rain & EfflorescenceWhat Gulf Coast humidity, summer heat, and heavy rain mean for limewash, German smear, and other brick finishes in Houston — and how to get a finish that lasts.5 min readGuideLimewash & German Smear for Fireplaces and Interior BrickHow to update a dated brick fireplace or interior wall with limewash, whitewash, or German smear — what works, what to avoid near heat, and what to expect.4 min read