Question 1

How much does dry stone wall repair cost per metre?

Accepted Answer

Most Cotswold dry stone walling is priced by the square metre of wall face. As a guide, rebuilding an existing wall using the stone already on site typically works out between £120 and £220 per square metre, depending on height, access and how much of the stone is reusable. Bringing in new or reclaimed Cotswold limestone adds to that. Gapping-up a short collapsed section is usually quoted as a fixed day rate. Every quote is fixed in writing after we've seen the wall.

Question 2

Do you repair walls on listed properties and in conservation areas?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A lot of our work is on boundary walls attached to Grade II listed cottages and within Cotswolds National Landscape conservation areas. We rebuild like for like in matching local limestone, work in lime mortar rather than cement where the wall is mortared, and are happy to supply method statements or speak to your conservation officer.

Question 3

Why is my stone wall bulging or leaning?

Accepted Answer

Nearly always one of three things: water trapped behind the wall with nowhere to drain, a hard cement pointing that has sealed the wall and forced moisture into the core, or the hearting in the middle of the wall having washed out over the decades. Repointing a bulging wall without addressing the cause is money wasted — the failing section needs taking down and rebuilding properly.

Question 4

Should a Cotswold wall be pointed in lime or cement?

Accepted Answer

Lime, in almost every case. Cotswold limestone is soft and porous, and it needs to breathe. Cement pointing traps moisture in the stone, which then spalls and crumbles in frost. We use a lime mortar mixed to suit the stone and the exposure of the wall.

Question 5

Do you take on small jobs?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a single collapsed gap, a run of loose coping stones or a few metres of repointing are all normal work for us. We're just as happy quoting a half-day repair as a full field boundary.

Question 6

How long does a rebuilt dry stone wall last?

Accepted Answer

A wall rebuilt properly — sound foundation, graded stone, tight hearting, through-stones and good coping — should stand a hundred years or more with only occasional gapping-up. Most walls we're called to have simply never been maintained since they were built.

Stone walling questions, answered

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