How Much Does It Cost to German Schmear a House? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $2,500 - $7,500
The average U.S. homeowner spends about $5,000 to German schmear a house. You could spend between $2,500 and $7,500, depending on the size and height of your home.
The average cost to German schmear a house is $5,000. It can range from $500 to $15,000, depending on the size and height of your home and whether you DIY all or some of the work. This mortar wash technique is time-intensive, but it is often more budget-friendly and longer lasting than brushing paint onto brickwork.
- Average
- $5,000
- Low end
- $500
- high end
- $15,000
Cost Factors When German Schmearing a House
When calculating the cost to German schmear a house, there is more than just the surface area of your brickwork to consider.
Size
The average professional cost to German schmear a house ranges from $1 to $4 per square foot. Unsurprisingly, the bigger your home, the more it costs to apply a mortar wash finish. For an average-sized, fully brick-covered 2,000-square-foot home, this works out to $2,000 to $8,000.
| Brick Area (Square Feet) | Average Cost to German Schmear |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | $1,000–$4,000 |
| 1,500 | $1,500–$6,000 |
| 2,000 | $2,000–$8,000 |
| 2,500 | $2,500–$10,000 |
| 3,000 | $3,000–$12,000 |
Height
Expect costs to increase by up to 50% per story. Professionals typically charge more to German schmear brickwork on multistory homes because there are additional safety and time considerations. They have to use ladders and possibly scaffolding, and there might be extra prep work to clear overhanging branches.
Number of Coats
The cost to German schmear a house varies depending on the number of coats of mortar wash. Typically, professionals apply one or two coats depending on the look you are going for and the thickness of the mortar mix. One coat is usually enough to achieve sufficient depth and an antique, distressed appearance.
Materials
Material costs to German schmear a house are considerably less than when painting. Material costs could be less than $100 to cover an average 2,000-square-foot home. A German schmear mortar wash is made by mixing sand and cement (or a convenient premixed mortar) with water. An 80-pound bag of mortar mix usually costs around $5 to $10. Other supplies, such as trowels, sponges, and drop cloths, are likely to cost $50 at most.
| Required Materials | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Mortar mix | $50–$150 |
| Trowel | $10–$20 |
| Ladder | $75–$150 |
| Drop cloth | $20 |
Labor
While material costs to German schmear a house are low, professional labor typically costs $1 to $3.50 per square foot. German schmear is a skilled, time-intensive technique that normally takes a few days to complete. This price includes any prep work and cleanup tasks.
Surface Preparation
If you have a stain or paint on your brick wall, this coating will need to be removed before any German schmear work can commence. German schmear requires a bare brick surface to adhere properly. Paint stripping costs $0.50 to $2 per square foot, so expect to pay $1,000 to $4,000 for professional paint removal. Otherwise, it might just need a good cleaning to lift off any dirt and debris. The average cost to pressure wash a house is $300.
Repairs
The average cost of brick wall repairs is $20 to $40 per square foot, often with a minimum fee of $200 to $400. An advantage of German schmearing is that it can effectively cover small imperfections in your brickwork; however, it cannot fix major damage. Ignoring cracks or loose bricks might be tempting to save some cash, but this could mean a bigger bill further down the line.
Sealing
Sealing a German schmear finish averages around $2 to $5 per square foot, and it can provide additional waterproofing and stain resistance; however, it is not a necessary part of the job, as the mortar wash itself provides sealing properties. Adding a waterproof sealant also changes the appearance of the German schmear, giving it a more glossy, rather than matte, finish.
Permit
The cost for a building permit to German schmear averages around $200. While this is not a requirement in every local authority, always check before any work commences.
German Schmear Ongoing Expenses
It is not just the upfront cost to German schmear a house that you must budget for. Keep in mind these possible future expenses.
Maintenance
A benefit of German schmear is that it is a low-maintenance brick finish that, when applied correctly, does not fade or flake. To conserve your curb appeal, factor in an annual power wash to keep your home’s exterior looking presentable. If you do not own one, the average cost to rent a power washer is $90 per day. Alternatively, you could hire a power washing professional near you for around $300.
Repairs
Even though German schmear requires little upkeep, exposure to extreme weather conditions or structural problems can sometimes result in cracks or discoloration over time. If this only affects small areas on your home’s exterior, then repairing cracks and touching up the German schmear application is possible. Touch-ups cost $1.50 to $4 per square foot, but contractors usually apply a minimum fee, often between $150 to $300.
Tipping
In line with contractor tipping etiquette, consider keeping aside 10% to 15% of the total project costs to pass on for a job well done. Tipping is not necessary for contractors carrying out a German schmear project on your home, but professionals will appreciate it. It is a sign of respect and builds a positive relationship for future jobs.
DIY German Schmear vs. Hiring a Pro
If you are not afraid of hard work and take safety seriously, you can make big savings by tackling the task yourself. The DIY cost to German schmear a house averages around $100 to $200. You will need several big bags of low-cost mortar mix. The other supplies will likely be things you already have around your house—trowels for spreading, a mortar mixing bucket, sponges, drop cloths, and a ladder. If not, they are cheap to buy.
The technique is forgiving, but it makes sense to practice on an out-of-sight section of brickwork when learning how to German schmear for the first time. That way, you can play around with the thickness and finish you are aiming for.
Get ready for some aching muscles and long days—this technique is time-consuming. If you feel you do not have a surplus of time, hiring an exterior painter near you is a worthwhile investment. They will have the job done and dusted in anywhere from three days to a week, whereas you might have to dedicate quite a few weekends to the task if doing it yourself.
Hiring a professional makes sense if you have a large multistory home. Working at heights is hazardous, and erecting scaffolding could help get the job done safely and efficiently.
Cost of Common German Schmear Add-Ons
If you are working with a professional painter to complete the job, you might want to tag on other paint projects you have been putting off. The contractor will likely offer a better rate for working on multiple projects at once, rather than having to return to complete them later. Consider budgeting for the following add-ons to boost your curb appeal even further:
Cost to paint trim: $700–$2,500
Cost to paint garage door: $200–$500
Cost to paint a fence: $750–$4,250
Cost to paint shutters: $125–$600
Cost to paint decking: $500–$2,000
4 Ways You Can Save Money While German Schmearing a House
When you are working with a tight budget but do not have the time or skills to go the DIY route, there are other ways to reduce costs.
DIY the prep work: If you have a power washer, cleaning the brickwork before a professional painter arrives can lower your bill.
Get multiple quotes: Do not jump at the first price you get. Request quotes from at least three reputable exterior painting contractors near you before deciding.
Borrow tools: If you are applying German schmear yourself but do not have a decent ladder or quality trowel, ask your DIY-savvy friends or family if you can borrow these tools rather than buying them.
Do not cover the whole house: If your backyard is small, rarely used, or hidden away, consider a partial makeover and only apply the mortar wash to the front side of your house.
Frequently Asked Questions
German schmear is a durable brick masonry coating. It should last at least a decade or two without flaking or fading, even with minimal maintenance. This makes it an economical option compared to the cost of painting your house exterior, which usually needs to be repainted every five to 10 years to keep it looking its best—thus costing more over the same time period.
German schmear is a great way to update and protect your home’s tired or drab brickwork. It works out around the same or less than the cost to paint a brick house—and much less if you DIY German schmear. When done properly, the coating lasts much longer than a coat of paint, making it an excellent long-term investment. If you are tackling a DIY German schmear project, be ready to practice perfecting the technique and putting in the hours. It takes more skill and time than slapping on a coat of paint.
Think hard before deciding to German schmear your home’s exterior brickwork. If you do not like the look, you are pretty much stuck with it, as it is impossible to remove this finish the way you can remove paint. You risk damaging the underlying brick if you have to chisel and acid-wash it away. It will also take a very long time, and remnants of the mortar wash will always remain.
Whether German schmear or whitewash is better depends on the aesthetic you are going for. Whitewash uses latex paint diluted with water to produce a smooth, semi-translucent finish, rather than the rough, irregular finish of German schmear. Whitewashing is much quicker to apply but fades quickly and needs reapplying much sooner than the semi-permanent German schmear coating.