Laying a brick wall in your garden is a task many homeowners have taken on, only to begin the job and find it is more complicated than it seems.
Various factors, such as brick width, brick material and wall height can all make an apparently easy DIY into something more challenging and sometimes more expensive than originally anticipated.
There are various reasons a garden wall may be a feature you’re looking into; to use as décor, for more privacy, to act as a divider and many more.
Our guide will break down the average cost of a garden wall, what impacts the cost, how to save money and how to hire a professional bricklayer to build one on your behalf.
Topics
How Much Does a Garden Wall Cost?
The table below takes a look at the estimated costs of building a garden wall on your property.
| Wall Length and Height | Wall Thickness | Number of Bricks Required | Estimated Supply Cost | Labour Costs | Time Required | Total Estimated Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 metres x 52 centimetres | 1 brick | 156 | £82-£330 | £70-£200 | 1 day | £152-£530 |
| 5 metres x 1 metre | 2 bricks | 600 | £318-£1,272 | £140-£400 | 2 days | £458-£1,672 |
| 5 metres x 1.2 metres | 2 bricks | 720 | £381-£1,526 | £210-£600 | 3 days | £591-£2,126 |
| 5 metres x 1.8 metres | 2 bricks | 1,080 | £572-£2,289 | £210-£600 | 3 days | £782-£2,126 |
| 10 metres x 52 centimetres | 1 brick | 312 | £164-£660 | £210-£600 | 3 days | £374-£1,260 |
| 10 metres x 1 metre | 2 bricks | 1,200 | £636-£2,544 | £210-£600 | 3 days | £846-£3,144 |
| 10 metres x 1.2 metres | 2 bricks | 1,440 | £762-£3,052 | £280-£800 | 4 days | £1,042-£3,852 |
| 10 metres x 1.8 metres | 2 bricks | 2,160 | £1,144-£4,578 | £350-£1,000 | 5 days | £1,494-£5,578 |
Note: In the UK, the maximum permitted height for a brick wall built using a single layer (or skin) of bricks is 52 centimetres. Guidance on the recommended height and thickness for brick walls varies by region. The estimated cost is per standard 65-millimetre brick and includes VAT. You can save money by purchasing bricks in packs, rather than individually.
As the table demonstrates there is quite a range of pricing options available when building a new garden wall and these depend on a series of factors. The most common factor determining pricing, as demonstrated above, is the size of the wall and its planned thickness.
A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that the bigger and thicker the wall, the more expensive it will be to build.
It’s important to note that the cost of building a garden wall will also change depending on the type of professional you hire to take on the job.
A labourer is likely to be a cheaper option though their level of skill and experience could vary, whereas a bricklayer is experienced in masonry and will therefore be more expensive.
What Impacts the Cost of a New Garden Wall?
As mentioned, there are quite a few factors that influence the cost of a new garden wall and the cost can vary dramatically. Below, we break down the most common factors impacting garden wall costs:
Dimensions
The height, length and thickness of a garden wall all will play a part in determining the final cost of its build.
The height and length of the wall will impact the number of bricks used to fill these requirements and the more bricks needed, the more expensive the wall will be. You can use the table above to take a look at the price range for various dimensions of garden walls.
Remember to take into account the thickness of the wall, also. Most garden walls are made with a one brick thickness. These walls are commonly referred to as single skin brick walls.
Double skin brick walls are twice as thick as single skin brick walls and use two layers of brick to complete the build. As there are more bricks are being used in a double skin brick wall, it will be more expensive to build.
The cheaper option of a single skin brick wall will be structurally weaker than a double skin brick wall. If your wall is likely to be 500mm in height or lower, then a single skin brick wall is a good option as you won’t need the sturdiness that a double skin brick wall can provide.
On the other hand, if you’re planning to build a wall any higher than 500mm, it’s advisable to go for a double skin brick wall to make sure you have the additional stability and strength the structure needs.
Choice of Material
The most common choice of material for a garden wall is brick, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other options available that may be better suited to your needs.
Brick
Standard brick prices are likely to range from £35-£50 depending on quality.
Brick is a great option for a garden wall as it is a very versatile material and can be made in a variety of styles and colours. It’s also generally the cheapest option, but costs will vary significantly depending on the quality, colour and finish of the brick type.
Standard bricks are highly durable and don’t diminish in strength over time. The downfall to a standard brick usually lies in its appearance, but if you’re more focused on keeping the cost of the build down than the overall aesthetic of the wall, this could be a great brick choice.
Handmade bricks are a more expensive option and are made using specific moulds on benches. With hand-thrown techniques, each brick is made with a specific pattern, usually very intricate and unique, on its face.
Therefore, due to the complexity and material involved in the actual construction of this brick type, there will be an increase in the price to source handmade bricks, but also the price is often weighed out by the appeal of its aesthetic.
Handmade brick prices are likely to range from £85-£145.
London stock bricks are handmade bricks used for construction especially, but not limited to, London and are noted for their yellow colour and aesthetic appeal. London stock bricks are durable and fashionable and can often be bought from specific London companies specialising in the make of this brick type.
London stock brick prices are likely to range from £50-£200.
Reclaimed bricks are ones recovered from disused brickwork and older buildings. After the reclaimed bricks have been cleaned of mortar, they are available for sale and lots of homeowners love the ethical story behind the brick, as well as the versatility of their aesthetic appeal.
However, due to the extensive cleaning process reclaimed bricks must go through before they can be sold, reclaimed bricks are a very expensive option in comparison to a standard or even handmade brick.
Reclaimed brick prices are likely to range from £100-£300.
Stone
A stone garden wall has a very natural and rustic appeal as the wall is built using shaped stone bricks or blocks. Many different types of stone can be used depending on the desired look, ranging from sandstone to natural stone to flagstone walls.
Natural stone walls look great in properties that have a lot of stonework already or can be very complementary of gardens with pale grey concrete.
Natural stone wall pricing will usually range from £100-£300 per square metre.
Concrete
Concrete is a stylish and modern material option for a garden wall. Concrete walls can be offset nicely with potted or planted plants along their top and are a great cheaper option if you’re working with a tighter budget.
Concrete is an easily sourced material also, meaning you’re up for trying your hand at DIY then you will be able to find the necessary materials quickly and without struggle.
Concrete wall pricing will usually range from £65-£90 per square metre.
Method of Construction
Bricks are laid in different types of bonds – depending on the style of brick – and these bonds vary in their durability and appearance. Different types of bonds have different price brackets.
Stretcher Bond
Stretcher bond brickwork is the most commonly used bond. Its pattern is stretchers (bricks are laid lengthwise) and can be used for most standard brickwork.
This bond type is not particularly strong, in comparison to some other bond types, but it is easier to lay than other bonds. This means the labour costs for a stretcher bond will be cheaper than others.
English Bond
English bonds use facing bricks (bricks intended to be used above ground) and are known for being a very durable type of bond. English bond builds typically use bricks known for their strength and longevity.
The bond uses stretchers and headers (bricks are laid width-wise). The strength that can be provided in an English bond means that it is a bond often used in civil engineering and larger builds, as it can be depended on to provide stability.
As a more complicated bond, the labour costs for an English bond may be more expensive.
Flemish Bond
A Flemish bond is an extremely strong type of brick bond where the headers and stretchers are alternatively placed along the structure.
This type of bond may require more bricks and more labour to lay – sometimes it will require a team of people instead of an individual – so you can expect the labour costs to be more expensive if you’re looking to have a Flemish bond for your garden wall.
Mortar
Mortar is a paste that begins flexible and workable and then hardens to bind together the stones, bricks or concrete of your garden wall. Different types of mortar can be used, varying in cost and appearance.
Cement
A cement mortar is typically made from cement and sand and provides great strength and reliable water resistance. This is the most common type of cement and is easy to make or easy to purchase.
This mortar type can be bought at local DIY stores for a price range of roughly £3-£10 depending on the amount and quality purchased.
Sand
Sand is usually mixed with a type of cement to create a typical mortar that can be used for building walls or between paving slabs.
This common mortar can be purchased for £5-£20.
Plasticiser
Plasticisers can be used in mortar mixes to increase the drying time of the mortar whilst still allowing lots of time for any necessary adjustments. Plasticisers are great for bricklaying as they are easy to use and decrease the labour time of building a garden wall.
Plasticisers can be bought for £4-£10 depending on the amount and quality purchased.
Finishing Touches
A finishing touch to your garden wall, such as capping bricks or coping stones, can add the final element for a lovely-looking and sturdy garden wall.
Cappings and copings are used to prevent rainwater from entering the layers of construction and weakening the structure. Whilst they won’t be completely watertight, they will prevent rainwater and frost from permeating the build entirely and fracturing its structure.
You can purchase special capped bricks or coped stones, but this will cost extra to purchase as they have to be specially made.
If you don’t want to use specially made capped bricks or coped stones, it will also cost extra to purchase the layer of metal – usually steel – that will go over the brick to cap or cope.
If you’re eager to lower the maintenance of a garden wall, it’s a good idea to consider capping bricks or coping stones beforehand as this could extend the longevity of your garden wall and therefore could be a good investment.
Ground Preparation
Depending on the location where you would like the garden wall built there may be some ground preparation that needs to be done beforehand, like removing a large root from below ground or clearing the ground space of debris or rubbish.
Generally, ground preparation is included in the overall cost of building a garden wall, but if you are enlisting the help of a professional make sure to ask them whether ground preparation is included in the total price or will be an additional cost.
Skip Hire
If there is a lot of ground preparation to be done or the professional you may have hired has informed you that there is likely to be a lot of material waste involved in building the wall, you will likely need to hire a skip for the waste removal.
This could cost from £50-£400 depending on the size of the skip required and your location in the UK.
| Size of Skip | Cost |
|---|---|
| Small | £60 |
| Medium | £250 |
| Large | £400 |
Accessories
Some homeowners like to further accessorise their garden walls and include additional features such as gates. The addition of a gate does have a huge amount of aesthetic appeal – it adds a classic or magical element to the overall build – but it can hugely complicate the job and incur additional costs.
A garden wall gate can also add a certain element of security to your property, particularly if the wall is acting as a divider or boundary of your property.
More masonry skills will need to be involved to hang a gate and it may be a good idea to consider hiring a professional bricklayer or mason. Depending on your location in the UK, hanging a gate can cost from £100-£300.
As always, it’s important to speak with any professional you may be hiring to take on the job beforehand and make sure to find out whether any accessories to the gate you wish to include will be added to the total cost of the job or will be an additional cost.
Demolition Costs
Demolition costs may not be applicable for all homeowners wishing to build a garden wall, but it bears thinking about if you want a more spacious garden space or wish for the privacy a garden fence could offer you instead.
Removing a brick wall is very hard work and if you wish to undertake this task by yourself it is necessary to have all the necessary safety equipment, such as goggles and ear protection, beforehand.
Removing a brick wall is likely to be an expensive job, but the price will depend on the size and location of the wall.
The cost of removing even a small brick wall can go up to £300, with a larger brick wall totalling £500, depending on your location in the UK.
How Can I Save Money on a Garden Wall?
There are a few ways you can keep the costs of a brick wall down.
If you are able-bodied and have the necessary tools and safety equipment already, you can firstly do any demolition of existing brick walls yourself to dramatically cut out an extra cost.
If you have a car or a family member or friend who can drive, you should consider taking charge of the waste removal from the demolition of the brick wall yourself and take any rubbish to your local tip.
Before building, consider limiting the height of the garden wall. A taller garden wall will need additional bricks to meet the height requirements and additional bricks will make the job more expensive.
If you’re wanting a particularly small and simple garden wall, a great way to save money is to consider purchasing all the equipment and materials yourself from local DIY stores and then simply building the wall yourself!
There are some great and easy-to-follow resources available online to help you build your garden wall and this way you cut out the potentially very expensive cost of having a labourer or bricklayer complete the build on your behalf.
The best way to cut your costs for a garden wall is to use HouseholdQuotes to find your perfect tradesperson within your budget and let us help you keep the costs of a new garden wall down.
Click To Get QuotesHow Do You Build a Garden Wall?
If you do hire a professional to build your garden wall, you can expect a few stages to the process.
The surrounding ground will firstly be prepared for the brick wall, with guidelines clearly marked to ensure the wall is built straight and is structurally sound. This means the ground will need to be cleared of any potential debris or may even need to be levelled before work on the wall can begin.
A concrete trench will be made, and this will act as the base for the wall and provide the garden wall foundations.
Then the mortar will be mixed in several batches – as it will naturally dry and harden – and the bricks will be laid. Mortar typically lasts for one and a half to two hours, so it will need to be remade consistently.
The bricks will then be laid in whatever bonding style you wish and to whatever dimensions you have specified.
Once the wall is built, any material waste that is left will be cleaned up and removed.
What’s the Best Material for a Garden Wall?
There are several different options when it comes to the best material for a garden wall, but it all comes down to your individual preferences, aesthetic desires and your budget as some garden wall materials will be more expensive than others.
| Wall Type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Brick | -Typically, the cheapest option -Easy to source -Very durable | -Possibly time-consuming to construct -Will consume water regardless of capping -High maintenance |
| Stone | -Aesthetically appealing -Low maintenance -Durable | -Very heavy -Time-consuming to construct -Not DIY friendly and the most expensive |
| Concrete | -Very strong -Fireproof and rot-proof resistant -Easy to construct | -Maximum height limit -Complicated to remove -Will need to be carefully designed before constructed and should ideally be done by a specialist |
How Do I Find and Hire Someone to Build a Garden Wall for Me?
See if any of your friends or family have had a garden wall built by a professional and were happy with the service provided. Similarly, if you know of a neighbour who has recently had a new garden wall installed, consider asking for their recommendation.
Use HouseholdQuotes to find a qualified tradesperson to build your garden wall for you and save you the trouble!
Click To Get QuotesEnsuring the Professional Is the Right Fit
To make sure you’ve found the best person for the job, we recommend you ask them for the below:
- For a written quote. Make sure to find out if rubbish removal and ground preparation are included in the quote or will be an additional cost.
- For their experience.
- For their references. If they’re able to provide you with references you can be sure of their ability and may even be able to see some of their previous work.
- If they and their tools are insured. Insurance can protect you from lawsuits if they or your property is damaged when they come to your home.
Final Checklist
Use the checklist below to get started on preparations for your garden wall:
- Decide on the location of your garden wall and take into consideration any ground preparation that may need to be completed before the build can begin.
- Decide on the dimensions for the wall and remember that the taller and longer the wall, the more bricks needed and the more expensive it will be.
- Consider which material bests suits your purposes for the garden wall using the table of advantages and disadvantages above.
- If you’re taking the DIY route, make sure you have purchased all necessary safety equipment before you begin work to build the wall.
- Use HouseholdQuotes to find the best labourer or bricklayer to complete the job for you.
Click To Get QuotesFrequently Asked Questions:
Do I Need Planning Permission for a Garden Wall?
- The garden wall is next to a highway used by vehicles and it does not exceed one metre in height
- The garden wall does not exceed two metres in height if placed elsewhere than the above
- The garden wall will not increase the height of an already existing wall that exceeds the above limits
- No part of the site of the garden wall is a listed building or within the curtilage of a listed building
- No part of the wall forms a boundary with a neighbouring listed building or its curtilage
- The right to put the wall has not been removed by an Article Four direction or a planning condition.
If all of these conditions are met, you will not need to apply for planning permission.
What Are Some Alternatives to a Brick or Stone Wall?
Other alternatives include iron fences or hedging but these will both come with specific requirements for their construction and can be slightly more complicated to build or plant depending on your location and property.
You can also consider having the wall embedded with other materials, such as potted plants, turfs or wooden benching.