When Detroit homeowners think about increasing their property’s value, they often jump to kitchen renovations or new windows. But one of the most underrated—and financially smart—investments you can make is in your home’s masonry.
From curb appeal to structural integrity, quality brick and stone work can dramatically raise the value of your property. Whether you’re getting ready to sell or just want to protect your long-term investment, here’s how masonry adds real, lasting value in Metro Detroit.
First Impressions: Lasting Curb Appeal
Detroit buyers notice brick. Whether it’s a classic Grosse Pointe colonial or a tidy Ferndale bungalow, homes with well-maintained masonry make a strong first impression.
Crumbling mortar, cracked chimneys, and faded brickwork are immediate red flags for buyers—and for appraisers. On the flip side, a home with fresh tuckpointing, clean joints, and seamless repairs signals long-term care and low future maintenance.
Brickwork that looks great today will still look great in 10 years. That’s something vinyl siding and paint can’t say.
Structural Confidence = Higher Appraisals
Appraisers and inspectors look at more than cosmetics. When your home has solid structural masonry—no cracks in the foundation, no bowing brick walls, no moisture penetration—you’re signaling to them that the bones of the house are strong.
This directly influences the value they assign your home. Repairs like lintel replacement, chimney restoration, and wall stabilization not only prevent bigger problems—they also raise your home’s score when it counts.
In areas like Indian Village or East English Village, this kind of upkeep separates well-kept homes from the rest.
Energy Efficiency = Market Advantage
Masonry doesn’t just look good—it helps reduce heating and cooling costs, especially when combined with proper insulation and modern mortar techniques. A brick home in Detroit with tight joints and updated chimneys often performs better in winter and summer, meaning lower utility bills.
More and more buyers are looking at long-term operating costs—not just the listing price. Showing off a recently repaired brick façade or newly tuckpointed chimney is one way to stand out.
Neighborhood Fit and Historical Integrity
In Detroit’s historic neighborhoods—Midtown, Corktown, Grosse Pointe, Indian Village—buyers expect masonry. Maintaining original brick or upgrading it with period-accurate materials adds perceived and actual value, especially for heritage-conscious buyers.
Failing to repair brick in these areas doesn’t just lower curb appeal; it disrupts the historic character and can lower comps in appraisal reports.
Real ROI: What You Can Expect
Depending on the scope of the work, homeowners can see returns of 80% or more on masonry repair costs, especially when the repairs solve moisture problems, structural risks, or cosmetic flaws.
It’s not uncommon for a few thousand dollars in repairs to swing a home sale by $10,000 or more. Especially in competitive neighborhoods like Ferndale or Royal Oak, good brickwork sets listings apart.
Thinking About Repairs? Start With What Matters
At Detroit Brickwork Brigade, we specialize in the kind of work that adds long-term value: chimney repair, lintel replacement, foundation stabilization, and full masonry restoration.
We don’t just make it look good—we make sure it performs. If you’re wondering whether your brickwork is hurting your home’s value, give us a call. We’ll walk through it with you and tell you exactly what’s worth fixing.
Because in this market, good brickwork pays for itself.