Bricklayers work indoors and out on all kinds of building projects.
They can be part of a team, building a house or a two-man company carrying out small jobs like building steps and garden walls.
A bricklayer does large and small jobs.
One month they might be onsite building houses, or at a residential property building a garage. Then they might spend a couple of weeks building steps, columns for gates or garden walls.
Whatever you need to do, using a professional bricklayer will save you time and effort.
Our guide covers the cost of hiring a bricklayer, what affects these costs and the best way you can hire one.
Topics
How Much Does Bricklaying Cost?
The table below looks at the estimated costs of bricklaying.
| Type | Area Single Skin Wall | Number of Bricks | Bricks to Nearest Pound | Mortar | Bricklayer and Labourer Costs | Time | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay bricks 215 x 65mm £600 - £1200 Per 1000 | Per m2 | 60 | £36-£72 | £10 | £23-£37 | - | £69-£119 |
| 20m2 | 1,200 | £720-£1,440 | £200 | £230-£370 per day | Two days | £1,380-£2,380 | |
| 60m2 | 3,600 | £2,160-£4,320 | £600 | £230-£370pPer day | Six days | £4,140-£7,140 |
The table below takes a look at the estimated cost of block laying.
| Type | Area | Number of Blocks | Blocks to Nearest Pound | Mortar | Bricklayer and Labourer | Time | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollow blocks 440 x 215 x 215 £4-5 each | Per m2 | 10 | £40-£50 | £4 | £12-£19 | - | £56-£73 |
| 20m2 | 200 | £800-£1,000 | £80 | £230-£370 per day | One day | £1,120-£1,450 |
The tables above are for traditional sized bricks used in garden walls and non-load bearing external house walls.
We have also included larger hollow blocks commonly used for the inner skin of cavity walls and some internal walls and structures such as garages.
HouseholdQuotes can help you find a reliable bricklayer. Fill in our form online and we’ll find bricklayers to give you no-obligation quotes for your building project.
Click To Get QuotesWhat Affects the Cost of Bricklaying?
Several factors will affect the final cost of bricklaying. It’s a good idea to be aware of these factors so you can confidently set a budget for this type of project.
Type of Brick
The type of bricks you use will affect the cost as not all bricks are priced the same. Handmade bricks, for example, cost much more than engineering bricks.
Bricklayers will also use building blocks, which, as you can see in the table above, aren’t much different in supply price. However, they are much quicker to lay and therefore labour costs are often cheaper when using blocks.
- Handmade Bricks – Handmade bricks are crafted individually, by hand and so they are more expensive than standard bricks. They are used on houses in conservation areas.
- Wire cut bricks – Wire cut brick is a type of facing brick and you’ll notice them because they have holes across the length of the brick.
- Reclaimed bricks – reclaimed bricks are bricks that have been used before, but are cleaned up and reused.
- Common concrete bricks – Common bricks aren’t as strong as other bricks, and they are used mainly for internal purposes where strength isn’t an issue.
- Engineering bricks – Engineered bricks are mostly used where strength is important. They are used for damp proof courses and retaining walls.
- Facing bricks -Facing bricks are the most common type of brick. You’ll see them in houses all over the UK.
- Soft mud bricks – Soft mud bricks are made by dropping clay into a sand-coated mould. It is done by machine or by hand.
- Building blocks – These are manufactured in the UK and are popular because they look attractive, and are easy to work with.
Type of Job
The cost will also be affected by what you want a bricklayer to do. The table below outlines some common jobs a bricklayer does with approximate pricing.
The final cost will depend on the size and complexity of the work involved. Bricklayers also build houses and extensions, but these jobs are often working with other trades.
| Type of Bricklaying Job | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Build garden walls | £650-£1,500 |
| Lay foundations | £3,600-£10,000 |
| Create openings for doors and windows | £500-£1,000 for each opening |
| Building a garage | £18,000-£30,000 |
| Laying a patio | £900-£2,500 |
| Building a fireplace | £200-600 |
| Building steps | £250-£750 |
| Removing a wall | £300-1750 |
Ease of Access
The cost of labour will go up if the builder has to work somewhere that’s hard to access or is an awkward shape.
Single Skin or Double Skin Bricks
If you only use a single row of bricks to build up your wall this will cost less. You are using fewer bricks and it will take the bricklayer less time to do the job.
Double skin bricks are normally used if you are building walls for a house.
Condition of the Wall
If you want a wall repair, then the condition of the wall will affect the pricing of the job. A garden wall, for example, may look like it needs need repairs, but on inspection, it could be better to demolish it and build a new wall.
If you want to check the condition of your wall these are the things you should look for:
- Crumbling brickwork – any crumbling brickwork should be replaced
- Crumbling mortar – this is a sign that your brickwork may need repointing
- A leaning wall – if a wall leans it could be due to tree roots, a broken drain, or poor foundations
- Cracks – hairline cracks aren’t usually a problem, but if the crack is wide, it might mean your wall needs rebuilding
Complexity of the Job
Building a garden wall is much easier than building a garage. A larger and more complex build requires more skill and materials and will therefore be more expensive.
Skip Hire
If the bricklayer doesn’t include waste disposal in the quotation, then you will have to arrange this yourself. You could hire a skip which will cost between £150 and £200.
If you have spare bricks or hardcore, you could put the materials in bags and give them away. You could advertise on websites like Gumtree or Preloved.
Scaffolding
If the bricklayer will be working at height, they will need scaffolding or a bridge. Scaffolding costs depend on how much you need and for how long.
The average cost for high-level chimney scaffolding is between £450 and £650, while a bridge will cost approximately £550.
Gates
If you plan to install gates after you have had a wall built, this will add between £500 and £2,800 to your building costs.
Lighting
You may want to add lighting to your garden or on your front porch. Garden lighting such as solar-powered spikes cost as little as £10, but if you want to install security lighting you can expect to pay between £10 and £100 or more.
Landscaping
If you are having walls built because of a landscaping project, then you might also be using the services of a gardener. Landscaping costs between £200 and £1,000 or more, depending on what you what done.
Painting
If a bricklayer has built a brick fireplace for a room in your home, you may also want to decorate the room once they’ve finished.
A professional painter will paint an average-sized room for around £350 unless you’re in London where the prices will be more.
How Can I Save Money on Bricklaying?
A good way to save money is to buy the most affordable bricks or look on websites like eBay, Gumtree, Preloved and Cawarden. These websites will have a selection of reclaimed and new bricks for sale or free.
If you can, do some of the preparations or clear up yourself. This will save you money on labour costs.
If you a competent at DIY and you have the time, you could do the job yourself. It will mean you have to buy your own materials.
You won’t need to buy large pieces of equipment; you can hire what you need from your local builders’ merchants.
A basic bricklayer’s kit will include:
- Gloves
- A bucket
- Trowel
- Brick hammer
- A measure
- Retractable knife
- Soft brush
- Lump hammer
- Brick line
- Corner blocks
- Line pins
- Brick jointer
- Brick bolster
- Spirit level
- Pointing trowel
Drills and breakers cost between £40 and £60 per day to hire. You will also need a wheelbarrow.
Make sure you consider the design of your brickwork.
Choose something that’s not complex. Keeping things simple will mean less time spent on labour and the use of fewer materials.
If you need a tradesperson to help you with a building project, look no further than HouseholdQuotes. We can help you find exactly the trade person you need. Fill in the form online and we’ll find you reliable tradespeople to give you no-obligation quotes.
Click To Get QuotesHow Does a Bricklayer Lay Bricks?
A bricklayer will take the appropriate measurements and make sure everything is level by setting up a level line.
The mortar will be mixed and laid across the base slabs if you have them.
The first brick or half brick will be laid and made sure it is level with your line.
The brick shouldn’t be touching the line. There should be a minuscule gap between the line and the brick.
Bricks will continue to be laid along the length of what will be the wall and mortar added to the end of each brick.
They will then trowel away any excess mortar.
How Do I Find and Hire a Professional Bricklayer?
Use HouseholdQuotes!
We can help you find local professional bricklayers to give you no-obligation quotes for whatever bricklaying project you need to get done.
Click To Get QuotesEnsuring the Professional Is the Right Fit
Before a bricklayer comes to give you a quote, it’s important to write down the questions you want to ask so you won’t forget anything important. Use the questions below as a guideline:
- How much experience do you have as a bricklayer? This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take on someone who has just finished an apprenticeship, but it’s good to know if the person is an established bricklayer or someone just starting their career.
- Do you have a website? A website isn’t necessary, but they are useful. This is because builders will often put photographs and customer testimonials on a website.
- Do you have a portfolio with customer recommendations and photographs of work you’ve done in the past? If the bricklayer doesn’t have a website, they might carry a portfolio of photographs and customer feedback to show you.
- Can you show me your public liability insurance? All tradespeople should have public liability insurance. If they have an accident while working on your property, the insurance will cover them. It covers you or anyone who visits your home and injures themselves as a result of the work that’s being done.
- Are you a member of any trade associations that have accreditations? Again, this isn’t necessary but if a bricklayer has membership, they might want you to know about it.
Make sure you get answers to your questions and that the quote you receive is in writing. Make sure all your quotes contain the same information so that you can easily compare them.
Don’t forget to use HouseholdQuotes to find a bricklayer in your area. Simply fill in the online form and tell us what you need. We’ll then find reliable bricklayers to come and give you quotes for your brickwork.
Click To Get QuotesFinal Checklist
Use the checklist below to make sure you know exactly how to prepare for hiring a bricklayer:
- Make sure you don’t need planning permission for the work you want to be carried out
- Collect the materials and equipment you need if you want to do the job yourself. Find out about hiring equipment you don’t have at home.
- Get quotes if you prefer a professional to do the job
- Discuss the materials and design
- Plan to get the job underway
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need Planning Permission for Brickwork Projects?
You can build extensions, sheds, summer houses and garages without planning permission as long as they are no higher than four metres. You can also build garden walls and brick steps as these are covered under permitted developments.
You will need planning permission if a wall you want building is over two metres in height, next to a road and over one metre high or if it forms a boundary with a building that’s listed.
Although planning permission may not be required, some projects will come under building control regulations.
To find out more about building control regulations visit the planning department at your local authority office. The staff will be able to advise you about the rules and regulations that apply to your project.
How Many Bricks Are in a Square Metre?
If the bricks are 73mm then you will need 51.
What Are the Maximum Heights for Walls?
Generally, a wall that has one brick thickness can only be between 1,075mm and 1,175mm, depending on where you are in Scotland. In England, they can be between 130mm and 1,450 mm, depending on where you are.
How Do I Calculate How Many Bricks I Need?
Travis Perkins has a useful online calculator you can use.
What Affects the Condition of a Garden Wall?
Trees – the roots of mature trees might affect the wall’s foundations, planting new trees near a wall could also affect it.
Other construction projects – the strength of a wall could be compromised if you remove part of it to install a gate.