How much does Bricklaying cost?

Architecturally brick conveys charm, permanence, and value when it’s done skillfully. Picture your home with a brick facade, a brick fireplace, brick archways, or a brick garden wall. 

Brickwork is not a DIY home improvement project for most homeowners. This building material requires the skills of professional brick masons who know how to create classic patterns and special effects for durable structures. This guide provides average costs charged by professional bricklayers.

The average cost for brick ranges from $2–6 per square foot. The average bricklayer charges an hourly rate of $25, or a day rate of $200. Most brick masons offer free quotes for your project.

The total cost of building with brick depends on the nature of the project, type of brick used, the cost of related construction materials for the bricklaying job, and the local labor rates. Here are the average price ranges for materials and labor for common brick projects.

Brick wall, $10–45 per square foot. The actual cost for building a brick wall depends on its thickness and footing requirements. Brick retaining walls and foundation walls often need a drainage system, which can add to the project cost.

Thin brick veneer, $8–18 per square foot. Thin brick veneer can be applied over concrete, concrete block, cement backer board, or plywood for an authentic brick look.

Patio, $3–16 per square foot. The cost of brick paving ranges widely. Standard clay brick pavers cost $4–8 per square foot. Stone-style interlocking concrete pavers cost $3–16 per square foot. 

Fireplace, $3,500–10,000. The cost of building a brick fireplace depends on its size and chimney design. Interior surfaces of a fireplace must be lined with firebrick and refractory cement, which are more expensive than standard brick.

Fire pit, $200–3,000. Fire pits can be built with all types of brick but should be lined with firebrick. Costs for gas and electrical supply and fittings may be included in the project total.

Common clay brick, $2.50–8 per square foot. Common brick, also called regular brick, is the least expensive type. It typically has a porous, non-weatherproof surface that promotes bonding of mortar, plaster, and stucco. 

Face brick, $3–10 per square foot. Face brick is uniform in size and shape, and weatherproof. It is available in many neutral colors with smooth and textured finishes.

Glazed brick, $2.25–11.25 per square foot. Glazed bricks have a baked-on ceramic face coating that gives them a glossy look. Glazed brick is available in many vibrant colors and is used in both interior and exterior applications.

Engineering brick, $2.50–5.50 per square foot. Engineering brick is formed from concrete and has holes in the center for concrete and steel reinforcement. Concrete brick resists water damage better than clay brick and is typically used for foundations and reinforced structures.

Firebrick, $7.85–13.50 per square foot. Firebrick has superior heat resistance and is used to line fireplaces, fire pits, and furnaces.

Thin brick, $4–8 per square foot. Thin brick, made from concrete or clay, is designed for application with thinset adhesive over cement backer board. It can be used indoors or outside to attain a wide variety of authentic brick and natural stone looks.

Salvaged and antique brick, $0.60–10 apiece. Certain characteristics, including unusual colors, sizes, and textures make some salvaged bricks more valuable than others. 

Here are some factors that affect the cost of brick projects.

Here are some tips for saving on a brick project costs.

Can an average homeowner save anything by buying brick in bulk?

Most manufacturers sell bricks at prices ranging from $250–4,000 per thousand, plus shipping. As far as we can tell, the number of bricks in an order makes no difference in the price. 

What is the average cost of bricklaying?

To construct a solid brick wall, masons charge about $10–45 per square foot. Brick veneer, or thin brick, will cost $8–18 per square foot installed. 

What’s the difference between clay brick and concrete brick?

Although they are close in price—$2.50–8 per square foot for clay brick and $2.50–5.50 for concrete brick—clay brick is lighter and softer than concrete brick. Concrete brick has greater compressive strength than clay and is better than clay for structural applications like foundations and support columns.

Find bricklayers in your area.