How to price a bricklaying job
A bricklaying quote is bricks, mortar, your time and the extras around them. Start with the wall area, which is its length multiplied by its height, less any openings.
How many bricks do I need?
A standard UK brick wall uses about 60 bricks per square metre for a single-skin (half-brick) wall and about 120 for a wall one brick thick, based on common 215 x 102.5 x 65 mm bricks with 10 mm joints. Add an allowance for breakages and cuts, usually 5 to 10 per cent.
How much mortar?
Mortar use depends on brick size and joint thickness. The calculator estimates a little under half a cubic metre per thousand bricks, with some allowance for waste.
What is not included?
Foundations, damp-proof course, lintels, scaffolding, waste removal and building regulations approval are not in the figures. Garden walls over 2 metres, or over 1 metre next to a road, usually need planning permission, so check with your local council.
Set your hourly rate with the freelance rate calculator if you are not sure what it should be.