Laying bricks yourself sounds appealing until you're elbow-deep in mortar at 3 PM, realizing you've already wasted half a day on a 4-foot wall. While DIY brick laying is possible for small projects, understanding the real challenges—skill gaps, time commitment, and hidden costs—will save you money and headaches.
When DIY Brick Laying Actually Makes Sense
Small, non-structural projects are where homeowners see real success without professional help. A decorative garden bed, a simple planter wall under 3 feet tall, or a brick patio repair might be worth tackling yourself. The difference between a professional job and a mediocre DIY attempt is most forgiving when the bricks aren't load-bearing and won't leak water into your foundation.
For anything attached to your home's structure—chimneys, exterior walls, foundation work—you're entering territory where mistakes cost thousands. Building codes, structural integrity, and weather resistance matter more than your enthusiasm.
Essential Skills & Experience Gap
Bricklaying looks mechanical but demands precision. You need to understand:
- Mortar consistency: Too wet and your bricks slip; too dry and you can't spread it properly. This takes hands-on feel that YouTube videos can't fully teach.
- Plumb and level accuracy: Even a 1/4-inch deviation per course compounds into visibly crooked walls by row 10.
- Brick bonding patterns: Running bond, Flemish bond, and stacked patterns aren't just aesthetic—they distribute weight and prevent cracks.
- Pointing and jointing: The mortar between bricks isn't just glue; it needs proper depth (usually 3/8 to 1/2 inch) to shed water and last 30+ years.
Most weekend DIYers pick these up through trial and error, meaning your first 50-100 bricks will look noticeably rougher than bricks 200-300. That learning curve is baked into your timeline.
Time Reality Check
Professional bricklayers lay 300–500 bricks per day on standard projects. A hobbyist doing careful, deliberate work typically manages 50–150 bricks daily, sometimes fewer if mixing mortar by hand or working in heat.
A simple single-leaf garden wall (20 feet long, 3 feet high) needs roughly 600 bricks. At a realistic DIY pace of 100 bricks per day:
- 6–8 working days of actual labor
- Add 2–3 days for prep (site clearing, base preparation, materials gathering)
- Add 1–2 days for cleanup and mortar curing before you can touch it
Now factor in evening work after your job, weather delays, and the fact that you'll be sore. A professional crew does the same job in 2–3 days.
Material & Tool Costs
Many DIYers underestimate startup costs:
- Bricks: $0.50–$1.50 per brick depending on type and region
- Mortar: Pre-mixed bags run $4–$6 each; a 600-brick project needs 12–15 bags
- Tools (if buying): Trowel ($8–$15), mortar board ($20–$40), level ($15–$50), jointing tool ($5–$10), plus safety gear
- Scaffolding or ladder rental: $30–$80 per day if your wall is high enough to need it
- Waste allowance: Budget 5–10% extra bricks for breakage and cuts
Total for a small DIY wall: $400–$800 in materials alone. A professional quotes typically $1,200–$2,500 for the same wall—but that includes labor, warranty, and insurance.
Where DIYers Most Often Fail
The three biggest regrets we hear:
- Underestimating drainage: Bricks without proper grading or weep holes trap moisture, leading to frost damage in cold climates.
- Uneven mortar joints: Inconsistent spacing looks unprofessional and creates weak points where water penetrates.
- Wrong mortar type: Using standard Portland cement when you need lime-based mortar (or vice versa) causes premature failure, especially on older homes.
When to Hire Instead
If your project is structural, load-bearing, or attached to your foundation, hire a professional. If you need it finished in a few weeks rather than months, hire someone. If you want a 20+ year guarantee and can't tolerate rework, hire someone.
Mercoly makes it easy to compare and find trusted brick laying providers in your area, complete with past project reviews and realistic quotes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I lay bricks over concrete? A: Not directly—concrete moves and cracks differently than brick, and moisture will trap underneath. You need a separation layer and proper foundation prep, which requires expertise.
Q: How long does mortar take to cure before I can build on top? A: Standard mortar cures enough to accept weight in 24–48 hours, but full strength takes 28 days; rushing this is a common DIY mistake.
Q: What's the biggest mistake homeowners make with brick projects? A: Ignoring drainage and water management; bricks fail from freeze-thaw cycles and trapped moisture, not from structural problems.
Get a free quote from experienced bricklayers today and compare costs before deciding whether DIY is worth your time.