Concrete block, brick, and natural stone can add some aesthetics to a wall and also improve its functionality. This wall can also serve as a property boundary to keep out prying eyes and keep your loved ones and valuable things safe and secure.
As a homeowner working on a budget, you would want to know how much does brick installation cost.
Average Cost of Brick Installation
The average cost to install a brick wall typically ranges from $4,000 to $20,000 based on household expenditures nationwide. However, you might be spending even more if you have more than a 2,000-square-foot home and would need to install bricks in significant areas of the house.
New brick commonly costs between $6 and $30 per sq. ft. to install, including labor and materials. However, if you are going to remove an existing brick and replace it with a new one, the cost may range from $40 to $50 per sq. ft.
What Are Included In The Brick Installation?
When you accept quotations from prospective contractors, there are several items that make up the entire project of brick installation. These are the following:
- Materials
Brick can make your home look beautiful and is usually more vigorous and long-lasting than other common types of walls, such as wood. Brick has been used on buildings for ages and is still very common today.
Brick prices typically range from $3 to $13 per sq. ft. for standard clay brick, but can vary per style and type. For example, hollow bricks that are made of a more durable outer shell and hollow center cost double the amount of regular bricks.
- Labor
The labor cost to lay brick is usually between $3 and $15 per sq. ft. In terms of hourly charges, skilled workers cost anywhere from $25 to $35 per hour.
To give you an idea, a 1,000 sq. ft. wall would take an experienced worker around 100 hours to install bricks. This is equivalent to 10 sq. ft. per hour.
- Supplies and Tools
The project will also involve all the supplies and equipment needed for installation. These include masks, gloves, brick chisels, spade trowels, levels, mason blocks, and line, among others.
- Site Preparation
Before the project commences, the contractor would need to prepare the project site. This involves protecting existing structures that may be damaged by the upcoming brickworks.
- Site Cleanup
When the brick wall has been successfully installed, cleanup of the project site and trash removal will be up next. This also involves labor, tools, and equipment necessary to clean up the mess from the construction of the new wall.
Additional Costs
Beside the brick installation cost, you should expect the following expenses:
- Relocation of existing plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and other types of systems in the project site if they can get in the way of the project execution or if they may get damaged by the ongoing construction.
- Testing for hazardous materials on the project site, such as lead, asbestos, etc., and remediation if they find any.
- Project supervision will be charged at around 13% to 22% if you find you can’t handle overseeing the brick installation project.
- Permit and inspection fees are required by the local government.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Brick Installation
Several circumstances could affect the cost of brick wall installation. Some of these are the following:
- Project size
Understandably, the bigger the size of your wall to be converted to bricks, the more money you will shell out. This is because it will require more materials and labor to complete the project.
- Materials used
The price of adding a new wall to your house might depend on the materials you use. As mentioned, brick walls are an affordable choice, while hollow ones cost around $30 per square foot.
If the wall stands at a certain height and needs additional reinforcement, most contractors would suggest the use of hollow brick walls. They can just slide steel bars inside the bricks to reinforce the wall.
Using traditional and reclaimed brick can affect the price as well. Using natural stone could also cost more than a concrete block.
A typical brick is made from clay and fired in a kiln, while a concrete block is only cast from concrete. Natural stone may be cut from a larger stone, which usually adds to the price.
- Patterns
Brick is a material that has a standard size and shape. It must be cut to build curved edges, medallion designs, or other unique looks.
Cutting bricks can add more time and work to the installation process. If your worker charges on an hourly basis for his work, you can expect to pay for a few additional hours for the cutting.
- Labor price
The price of labor is usually dependent on the experience of the mason. The more skilled the workers are, the higher the rates can be.
The advantages of hiring a skilled labor force are that they can often install a wall faster and the quality of the finished products will be impeccable. High-quality skilled workers can also incorporate more complex designs.
- Location
Your location also plays a key role in your project expenses. Prices of materials and labor vary depending on where your project is located in the country.
Ways to Save Money on Brick Installation
Compared to other specific materials, brick is a mid-range alternative. However, to save more on brick wall costs, you should consider the following:
- Choose a simple design
You must decide what design you want. A unique design is good, but remember that it can significantly impact your budget and the overall cost of the project.
To save more, you might consider picking a simple pattern. This is because for every dollar you spend on the bricks, you will more likely also spend on the installation.
As previously mentioned, a complicated pattern will increase the labor costs because of the added time and effort. However, its added cost is worth it if you want a truly personalized brick surface.
- Recycle your old bricks
One good thing about bricks is that they can be recycled. In fact, a lot of homeowners find them so appealing that they are willing to pay almost the same price, if not higher, to have them installed at their homes.
In fact, you can find them available at some reputable specialty websites and even on eBay. However, if you have these old bricks from your old house, you may just use them and save on the cost of buying new ones.
- Plan thoroughly
Having a definite plan for your project is a must for any type of construction. It should be based on how you plan on using the area when your project is complete. This saves you from committing a very costly mistake, which is one of the three ways you can save on construction costs.
- Compare prices
Even a small difference in price can go a long way, especially for larger projects. So you have to make it a point to compare prices before purchasing. Typically, online sellers sell cheaper products than local stores because physical stores simply have more overhead costs to cover.