Point or render

You can but it could lead to the render not binding properly and peel away

Rendering can completely transform the look of your house, but the base needs to be solid. If the brickwork is structurally sound, you’re good to go—with proper prep.

If you want, you can describe the condition of your brickwork (or send a photo), and I can tell you exactly what approach would work best.

It would need treatment first and all cleaned off

Before rendering, the brickwork should be:
Repointed where mortar has failed
Rebuilt or replaced where bricks are damaged or loose. Stabilised if there’s any movement. Cleaned so the render can properly bond

you can render over brickwork only if its sound, any loose spalled or crumbling bricks should be replaced first, and joint raked out and repaired. Rendering over bad brick will fail. if the house is older a lime render is usually better then sand/ cement to avoid moisture trapping

Yes as long as the brick is not loose and it it sturdy in place

Yes, but you must first clean and repair the bad brickwork and apply a suitable bonding agent before rendering.

Yes you can render on bad bricks. This is why people would usually go for rendering, however repointing can also seal your home and create a nice finish.

You can render over bad brickwork, but there are important considerations to ensure the render lasts and performs well:

Assess the brick condition: If bricks are loose, crumbling, or severely damaged, they should be repaired or replaced first. Rendering over unstable brickwork can cause the render to crack or fail.
Prepare the surface: Remove any loose mortar, dirt, or debris. Sometimes applying a bonding agent helps the render adhere better.
Use a proper render system: Consider a flexible or reinforced render system designed for weaker substrates. Lime-based renders can be more breathable and flexible compared to cement renders.
Check moisture issues: Bad brickwork often means moisture problems. Make sure the wall is dry and any dampness is resolved before rendering.
Consult a professional: If the brickwork is very poor, a builder or mason should inspect it to advise whether repairs are needed before rendering.
In short: rendering can hide bad bricks, but it won’t fix underlying structural or moisture problems. Fixing the brickwork first gives you a much better long-term result.

Depends how bad the brickwork is if there's loose bricks or holes then patch these areas by either filling or taking the bricks out and replacing them then go ahead and render as long as rendered properly should be no issues

Yes but not recommended

Depends on what the face of the bricks are like. If they have ghosted, ,(the face has been weathered,or damaged)render would be best. But pointing done correctly,using lime mortar when appropriate, is better for letting the property breathe, which will save the brick/ stone face from having moisture forced through it ,damaging it

Yes but make sure any major damage such as cracks etc are repaired