“How much does a mastic man charge per metre?” is one of the most common questions people ask before booking sealant work. The honest answer is that it depends on the kind of joint. Long, straight runs of expansion joint or floor joint are often priced by the metre. Baths, showers, kitchens and windows almost never are, because most of the time goes into removing the old sealant and preparing the joint, not into the length of the new bead.
This guide explains how sealant work is usually priced, gives the per-metre ranges that published UK price guides quote, and lists what makes a metre of joint cost more or less. Mr Mastic doesn’t publish a price list, because every job is different; we give a clear quote before any work starts.
When sealant is priced by the metre
Per-metre pricing makes sense when a job is mostly one kind of joint repeated over a long distance. Typical examples are:
- brickwork movement joints and expansion joints on the outside of a building
- concrete floor joints in warehouses, units and car parks
- long perimeter joints around cladding, render or curtain walling
- skirting-to-floor joints in large commercial spaces
On jobs like these the work per metre is fairly predictable: cut out the old joint, clean the faces, fit backing rod, prime if the product needs it, then apply and tool the sealant. Once access is sorted, the length of the joint is a fair measure of the work.
What published guides say per metre
Directory price guides give a feel for the market. The mastic-man.co.uk price guide, a UK directory of sealant applicators, quotes:
| Joint type | Published range |
|---|---|
| Expansion joints | £8–£20 per metre |
| Floor joints | £6–£18 per metre |
The same guide notes that VAT may or may not be included and that access (such as scaffold) is extra. These are third-party ranges, not our prices. They’re useful for spotting a quote that is wildly out, but the real price for your job depends on the factors below.
Why baths, showers and windows aren’t priced by the metre
A bath reseal might only be three or four metres of sealant, but the length is the smallest part of the job. Most of the time goes into:
- cutting out every bit of the old bead, including any layers that were sealed over the top
- scraping the thin film of old silicone off the tiles and bath
- treating mould and letting the joint dry
- filling the bath with water so the new bead is laid with the bath at its heaviest
- laying and tooling a single, neat bead
A three-metre joint with two layers of mouldy silicone takes far longer than a three-metre joint that comes out cleanly. That’s why bathroom, kitchen and window jobs are usually quoted per job, per room or per window instead. Published guides quote those the same way; our mastic man cost guide lists the ranges they give.
Need it done properly? Mr Mastic covers the South East, London and Scotland, with a one-year guarantee on every job. Call or email for a quick quote.
What makes a metre cost more
- Removal. Hard, old mastic or several layers takes longer to cut out than a single soft bead.
- Joint size. Wide, deep joints use more sealant and need backing rod to set the depth.
- Access. Joints at height may need towers, platforms or scaffold, which can cost more than the sealant work itself.
- Product. Fire-rated, glazing and specialist floor sealants cost more than standard exterior sealant, and some need primers.
- Colour. Matching a brick or render colour can mean a special order.
- Working hours. Commercial sites that need early, late or weekend working may affect the price.
- Small quantities. A few metres of joint still needs a visit, set-up and clear-up, so very short runs often have a minimum charge.
What makes a metre cost less
Long, straight, easy-to-reach runs of the same joint are the cheapest per metre. Ground-floor joints, clean removal and standard colours all help. Doing several jobs on one visit, such as all the movement joints on a building at once, also spreads the set-up time across more metres.
What a good quote should tell you
- Whether the price is per metre, per job or per room, and whether VAT is included
- That the old sealant will be removed completely, not sealed over
- The product to be used for each joint, and whether backing rod or primer is included
- How access will be provided at height, and who pays for it
- The guarantee and what it covers
Our 10 questions to ask before you book covers this in more detail.
Getting a price from Mr Mastic
Call or email with what needs sealing, roughly how much there is (metres of joint, number of rooms or windows), where it is and how it’s reached. Photos by email help. We’ll give you a clear quote before any work starts. Every job comes with our one-year guarantee, and we’re fully insured and an ARBOMaster approved applicator. See our external and movement joint and floor joint services.
Quick answers
How much does a mastic man charge per metre?
Published guides quote about £8–£20 per metre for expansion joints and £6–£18 for floor joints (mastic-man.co.uk price guide). Bathroom and window jobs are usually priced per job instead.
Is there a minimum charge?
Many sealant firms have one, because even a short joint needs a visit and set-up. Ask when you get your quote.
Does the price per metre include removing the old sealant?
It should, but check. A good quote says the old sealant is removed completely.
Do you charge per metre?
We quote per job, based on what’s involved. For long runs of joint we can give you a per-metre breakdown if it helps.
Related services
More advice
- How Much Does a Mastic Man Cost? UK Guide
- Expansion and Movement Joints Explained
- How to Choose a Mastic Man: 10 Questions
- All advice
This guide is general information about sealant work. It isn’t legal, fire-safety or structural advice; for those, speak to a qualified professional.