Home/Bricklayer/Guides/Bricklaying — UK Cost & Install Guide

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Garden walls, extensions, piers and chimneys — face brickwork £55–£140/m² by bond, day rate £200–£280.

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Hire a bricklayer. Match the wall, not just the brick.

Read the brief on bond, mortar and DPC — then let Three local bricklayers quote on the right spec.

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01 · Ask

Repair, match or build new?

Spalling brick, dropped wall, want a new extension? Describe what you've got — the AI tells you whether it's a repointing job, a rebuild or a structural call.

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02 · Read the brief

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Stretcher vs Flemish bond, NHL lime, cavity ties, weep holes, DPC heights. Know what good looks like before the first course is laid.

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03 · Compare

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Three local bricklayers quote on the same spec — bricks, mortar, scaffold, finishing — so you can pick the right hand for the job.

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Top tips

Hiring a bricklayer, without the regret.

Four moves that separate a smooth job from a nightmare.

Match the brick before they start.

On extensions and repairs, sourcing the right brick is harder than laying it. Insist on a sample wall — three courses, on-site, in your light — before they buy the pallet.

Get the mortar mix in writing.

Lime mortar, cement mortar, NHL grade — the wrong mix on the wrong brick spalls in five winters. Ask which mix and why.

Check the bond before pointing.

Stretcher, Flemish, English — the bond should match the existing wall, especially on period properties. Catch it at first course, not after pointing.

Insist on a damp-proof course.

Any external wall needs a DPC at the right height — 150mm above finished ground level. A missing or wrong DPC creates damp problems you'll be fixing for years.

Costs & timeline

Know what it costs. Know when it ends.

Indicative UK ranges and what affects price.

Cost range

By job type

Inc. VAT · 2026
Source: NMT quotes
Day rate
£200–£350/day
Brickwork (per m²)Inc. labour, ex. bricks
£80–£160/m²
Repointing (per m²)
£30–£70/m²
Garden wall (per linear m)1m high, single skin
£120–£280
Chimney rebuild
£1.8k–£4.5k
Brick arch (over opening)
£350–£900
!

Quote spread is typically ± 18% — always get 3 quotes.

At a glance

The Bricklayer briefing.

Infographic
Infographic

Bricklayer quick-view

Bricklaying — UK Cost & Install Guide infographic

New bricklaying is priced per square metre of "face" — what you see on the outside. A skilled bricklayer lays 350–500 bricks a day in a clean stretcher bond.

What's involved

  • Set out from string line and gauge rod
  • Mix mortar to spec (NHL or cement-based per design)
  • Lay bricks with consistent perpends and bed joints
  • Strike joints — half-round, weather-struck, recessed
  • Clean face down at the end

Typical UK costs (2026)

ItemCost
Stretcher bond face brickwork (per m²)£55–£90
Flemish / English bond£75–£140
Day rate (labour only)£200–£280
Day rate with labourer£350–£420
London + South-East premium+15–25%

What to check

Bricks per m² — 60 for face brickwork, 120 for solid 9-inch. Always agree the joint type before laying — switching from half-round to weather-struck mid-job slows the brickie down and costs more.

This guide was written with AI assistance and is intended for general information only. Prices are estimates based on UK averages and may vary by region. Always get at least three quotes and consult a qualified professional before starting any work.

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