Repointing definition

[pmx_super]

I'm having extensive building work done on my house. The contract includes a new roof and on my request additionally states "to include chimney repoint".

I thought that meant raking out and redoing all the pointing. They've instead patched loose and missing pointing. I'd guesstimate about 1/16th of the total pointing has been redone. Is there any ambiguity in the wording "to include chimney repoint"?

 

[Notch7]

I would guess that’s going to be hard for you to argue, the term re-point doesn’t explicitly state all of it.

however If they haven’t raked out properly on the bits they have done, that is not proper repointing.

 

[^woody^]

"Chimney repoint" implies repointing the whole chimney.

"Patches" or "isolated areas" would be worded as such in schedules of work.

 

[pmx_super]

Thanks both. Seems opinion is split 50:50 so far (assuming you discount my biased opinion, and therefore my tendency to give Woody's reply more credence), so I'd very much welcome a few more perspectives.

 

[^woody^]

That's wise.

In the world of contracting, and schedules of work, a chimney is an "item" ie a singular unit, and reference to an item applies to the whole, not parts.

 

[conny]

The words chimney repoint indicate a full repointing, not just an area the builder may 'think' needs doing.
As Woody says, it has to all be done and done properly, which involves raking out all joints, (vertical and horizontal), to a depth sufficient to apply the new mortar correctly.

 

[pmx_super]

Thanks. Your rationale makes perfect sense to me, and will certainly help if they contest my position.