Getting a brick laying quote shouldn't feel like guesswork—yet many homeowners end up comparing apples to oranges, missing critical details that affect cost, timeline, and final quality. A solid quote protects you from surprise expenses and ensures your bricklayer understands exactly what you're paying for. Here's what every brick laying quote must include, and how to spot the gaps.
Material Specifications
Your quote should itemize the exact type and quantity of bricks or blocks being used. Standard clay bricks, concrete blocks, engineering bricks, and decorative facing bricks vary significantly in price—sometimes by 30–50% per thousand units. The quote needs to specify:
- Brick or block type and grade
- Total number of units required
- Mortar type and estimated volume
- Any special materials (ties, lintels, damp-proof course)
If the quote just says "bricks as per plan," ask your bricklayer to break it down. Material costs typically make up 20–35% of a residential brick laying job, so clarity here saves disputes later.
Labour Costs and Daily Rates
Experienced bricklayers in the UK charge between £150–£250 per day (2023–2024 rates), though London and the Southeast often run 15–25% higher. Your quote should state:
- Daily or hourly labour rate
- Estimated number of days/hours needed
- Whether this includes site preparation and cleanup
A straightforward garden wall might take 3–5 days for one bricklayer; a full house extension could stretch to 4–8 weeks. The quote should give you a time window, not just a total figure. If labour costs aren't itemized separately, you won't know if you're paying fairly against the market.
Site Conditions and Access
Brick laying quotes often fail because they don't account for real-world site challenges. Your bricklayer should note:
- Scaffold or access equipment needed
- Ground preparation or levelling required
- Existing structures to be removed or protected
- Distance from the van to the working area
A job requiring a hired scaffold adds £300–£800 to the bill. Poor access means slower work and higher costs. A professional quote acknowledges these factors upfront rather than treating them as afterthoughts.
What Else Should Be Included
Weather and seasonal factors: Most bricklayers won't lay brick in frost or heavy rain, so quotes should mention expected delays or suspension periods (October–March in the UK carries higher risk).
Scaffolding and equipment: Beyond simple quotes, confirm whether the bricklayer supplies their own tools and equipment, or if you're hiring scaffolding separately.
Guarantees and warranties: A reputable bricklayer offers a defects warranty (typically 12 months) for workmanship. This should be written into the quote.
Payment schedule: Quotes should outline when payments are due—commonly 25% upfront, 50% mid-project, 25% on completion.
Red Flags in Brick Laying Quotes
- No breakdown: A single-line total without itemization is a warning sign.
- Wildly cheap labour: Rates below £100/day suggest inexperience or corner-cutting.
- Vague timescales: "We'll get it done when we can" means potential delays.
- No mention of materials: If the quote doesn't specify brick type, ask before signing.
- Missing site visit details: A quote given over the phone, without visiting your property, is often inaccurate.
Always ask for at least two or three quotes. Costs vary based on the bricklayer's experience, location, and job complexity—a 20–30% spread between quotes is normal. If one quote is 50% lower than others, investigate why.
Getting the Best Quote
Request that each quote includes a site plan or sketch showing the work area, brick/block specifications, and a brief methodology. This forces clarity and makes comparison straightforward. You can also use services like Mercoly, which helps you find and compare trusted brick laying providers in one place, removing the legwork of vetting local contractors.
Ask your bricklayer whether they've handled similar projects (extensions, garden walls, chimney repairs, decorative brickwork). Experience matters—particularly if your job involves specialist work like arch building or pattern laying, which can add 20–40% to labour costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should material costs include waste and breakage allowance? Yes—a good quote builds in 5–10% waste allowance for cutting and breakage. Without this buffer, you risk running short mid-project.
Q: What's the difference between a quote and an estimate? A quote is a fixed price (assuming no changes); an estimate is preliminary. Always push for a formal quote once plans are finalised.
Q: Can I negotiate the quoted price? Modest negotiation (5–10%) is sometimes possible, especially on larger jobs, but aggressive haggling often signals poor quality work. Pay fairly for skilled labour.
Get detailed, itemized quotes from local bricklayers and compare them side-by-side before making your decision.