I purchased a three story building, which is in a downtown area. On the right side of the building is a small parking lot (5-6 cars) that came with the building. This area use to be another building that was immediately adjacent to my building, but it has been torn down and made into a parking lot. The brick work on that side of my building has very rough/sloppy grout work because, with the previous building being there, it was never intended to be seen. However, now, with the neighboring building gone, it can be seen and it looks terrible. Also, I am concerned (perhaps mistakenly) that the rough grout lines and "unstruck" brick are going to be more susceptible to holding water and cracking from freeze/thaw cycles.

I want to cover or repair this brick. It is a large building, and I want to also be cost effective. I contacted a contractor, and he thinks the least expensive option is going to be to repoint the brick. I am doubtful that he is right, but I am waiting for his estimate.

Has anyone else had this type of issue? What was the best option? 

@Bruce Clark

A picture would be helpful.

Bricks use mortar. Tile uses grout.

The contractor is correct. They would need to repoint the bricks. The old mortar has to be remove with a grinder. Then mortar applied. If not done, bricks will eventually start to fall out.

A lot of the costs will depend on the age and type of bricks used, the type of mortar needed, how much is quick repair versus doing full grinding, cleaning and pointing.

You should get more than one quote. At least three, if not more.

Picking a top quality company with highly skilled, licensed workers is a must . If you hire non professionals you'll have issues down the road...

Yes tuck pointing is what's referred to.. they start at the top,, and go row by row,, grind out enough mortar to properly re tuck in new mortar,, so not cheep.. a mason does this type of work,, and if you don't get one now set it up for spring.. it's not a winter job. 

I've seen some exteriors where the mortar has been purposely left to slop over giving more textured look.  I'd make sure if you do this that's its actually necessary to do.. 

Would that side of building look and better if it was Painted,, I'm not one to paint brick but hard to tell how ugly it may be.. the cost would be a lot less expensive. 

repoint possible, or maybe skim over and stuccco?

STUCCO might be GREAT idea...@Jeffrey Hotz

BUT you know that exposed brick look in old building is very popular.

I don't think my question was very clear, but I think @Jeffrey Hotz may have seen where I was going. I know that I can have the brick repointed. My contractor is getting me a price.  However, I suspect that, regardless of how many bids I get, repointing is going to be expensive. What are some other options that will make the side of the building look better? More importantly, what is the most cost effective option that people have used?

The building really needs something done. It is structurally sound, but it just looks ugly. I wish I had a picture to post, but I don't have one in a format that can be posted here. 

@Bruce Clark Get a couple more ideas, not bids. Have a friend architect look at it.

As someone with over 16yrs in Masonry . Particularly in the RESTORATION & REPAIR FIELDS.

Most people Do Not Know or Realize the Extreme differences In..

Mason #1: That may have 25 Yrs as a mason, Laying Brick,Block Etc, Maybe even for the union..On New Construction.      &

Mason#2: That may have but 10 Yrs Experience in the field but Primarily with the "REPAIR WORK & RESTORATION SIDE of Masonry.

Mason # 1 at first glance may seem like the obvious choice with his 25 yrs , Journeyman for the Union Etc.. BUT HAS LITTLE TO NO EXPERIENCE WITH REPAIR WORK.

Their are Many "TRICKS TO THE TRADE" with Repair work ( Like being Capable of Making Brand New / Bone White Mortar, Look a hundred yrs old / Matching the Existing Mortar near Making your New Work Look as if its been their from the start , Being unnoticed & Nearly Impossible to see with the naked Eye. 

This Quality of Repair work Isnt Achieved JUST by changing a mortar color, they must Know Which of the many Jointing/ Tuck-Pointing Tools to use to Achieve this Look & so On.

Mason #1 also may have Little to no Experience with jackhammers/Certain Hand tools to Remove Brick,Mortar,Stone Etc,He gets up their and Tears Half the Wall down b/c he dont know how to "Finesse" Brick from a Wall.

Some Cases are More Critical then others. but Choose the mason by his TYPE of Exp. Along with Quality & Knowledge in Various Areas of the Field

@Bruce Clark   You could use steel studs or hat channel as furring and shoot them to the wall. Then sheath and side with metal panels, vinyl siding, fiber cement, etc. You could paint it or apply stucco. OR YOU COULD JUST LEAVE IT. 

I did this type of work on an 8 story building, grinding and cutting out brick & block/ mortar lines. Project budget was $2.4m. Masons are $38 an hour in Milwaukee plus fringes. You need a bunch of equipment and manpower to do this work, it will be costly. That I am certain of. 

If it's my building, an exterior brick wall that was never struck to be finished... I would just use EIFS. You can skim it but that doesn't mean it will hold up over the rest of time. In our market it's cost effective.

Some pictures would definitely help though.

Keep in mind your going up 3 stories so whoever you hire is working off scaffold or lifts. That an added cost. Make sure they name you as an "additional insured" on there GL and send you a cert if that is typical practice in your market (it is in mine)

Good luck

@Bruce Clark

If it's my building, an exterior brick wall that was never struck to be finished... I would just use EIFS. You can skim it but that doesn't mean it will hold up over the rest of time. In our market it's cost effective.
Some pictures would definitely help though.
Keep in mind your going up 3 stories so whoever you hire is working off scaffold or lifts. That an added cost. Make sure they name you as an "additional insured" on there GL and send you a cert if that is typical practice in your market (it is in mine)
Good luck

Usually it's cheaper and faster to cover it with new siding - what you choose depends on the architectural style of the building.

If you are in a dense urban are with property cost over $200/sqft you might want to consider to build. If you value parking on the ground level put in roll doors and use the upper floors as appartments. 

If the wall is very visible sell it as advertising space. Just a few ideas outside the box!

It comes down to the principle of highest and best use.

Thank you all for the tips!

This is in a high traffic spot, so I especially like the idea of advertising.