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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.
Choose your brick bond.
Flemish Bond for decorative façades, Stretcher for cavity walls — pattern, look and labour cost.
✓ Updated May 2026✓ Free quotes✓ Vetted pros
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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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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
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
InfographicThe Bricklayer briefing.
Infographic
Bricklayer quick-view
Brick walls aren't laid one way — the pattern (called the "bond") matters for both structural strength and appearance. The two most common in UK construction are stretcher bond (simple, modern) and Flemish bond (decorative, heritage). This guide covers how they differ, when each suits, and how they affect cost.
Stretcher bond dominates modern UK construction because cavity walls only need one face. Flemish bond, English bond, and other patterns survive on solid walls and heritage work.
Stretcher Bond
- All bricks laid lengthways (showing the long face).
- Joints offset by half a brick per course.
- Simple, fast to lay, requires only single-skin construction.
- Standard for modern UK cavity walls (only the outer skin shows).
- Cost: lower labour than decorative bonds.
Flemish Bond
- Alternates stretchers (long) and headers (short — the brick's end) in each course.
- Header positioned over the centre of the stretcher below.
- Decorative — gives the diamond-pattern appearance of period brickwork.
- Requires double-skin (one-brick) wall as headers tie into the wall.
- Cost: 15–25% higher labour than stretcher bond.
Other Bonds
- English bond — alternates courses of all-stretchers with all-headers. Heritage and strong.
- Garden wall bond — 3 stretcher courses for every header course. Cheaper than English on garden walls.
- Header bond — all headers showing. Rare, decorative.
- Stack bond — bricks stacked without offsetting. Decorative only — not load-bearing.
Cost Comparison (per m²)
| Bond | Labour cost difference | Materials |
|---|---|---|
| Stretcher bond | Baseline | Single-skin (215mm) |
| Flemish bond | +15-25% | Double-skin (327mm) typically |
| English bond | +20-30% | Double-skin (327mm) typically |
| Garden wall bond | +5-10% | Double-skin or single |
When to Use Each
- Stretcher bond: modern cavity walls, budget builds, hidden internal walls.
- Flemish bond: heritage matching, garden walls (decorative), entrance pillars, period property extensions.
- English bond: historic restoration, retaining walls (strong), heritage industrial buildings.
- Garden wall bond: low garden walls where decorative effect matters but full Flemish would over-spec.
UK Regulations
- Bond choice rarely regulated — appearance/structural choice.
- Listed buildings may specify bond pattern.
Common Problems
- Wrong bond for period — stretcher on a Georgian extension looks modern.
- Poorly executed Flemish — headers not centred over stretchers; pattern reads as messy.
- Bond pattern not matching existing — visible mismatch on heritage repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which bond is strongest?
English bond — alternating stretcher and header courses give maximum lateral strength.
Why is Flemish more expensive?
More cutting and fitting. Each course has alternating header and stretcher — slower than continuous stretcher courses.
Can I have a decorative bond on a cavity wall?
Possible with "snapped headers" (half bricks cut to look like headers) — but the structural advantage of true Flemish is lost.
Which bond suits modern architecture?
Stretcher for cavity walls; stack bond for feature walls (decorative). Avoid heritage bonds on modern builds.
Do Flemish walls cost more in bricks?
Yes — double-skin construction uses twice as many bricks. Cost impact is significant.
Will a bricklayer charge more for Flemish?
15–25% more per m² typically. Worth checking quotes specify bond.
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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