Garden Wall Bricklaying Costs
How much to build a garden wall in brick or block?
The total cost for a typical garden wall project generally falls between £700 and £3,000, depending on size and finish. By gathering detailed quotes, comparing regional prices, and checking user-submitted data on WhatPrice, you can budget accurately and avoid costly surprises.
Building or replacing a garden wall is one of the most common landscaping jobs in the UK. In 2025, most UK homeowners can expect to pay:
- £70 to £120 per m² for a brick wall, or
- £50 to £65 per m² for a block wall.
Allow extra for foundations, coping stones, and site preparation.
Below we break down current 2025 garden wall costs, explain the factors that influence the price, and provide realistic examples and tips to get the best value for money. It’s always best to obtain a fixed price for the total job if possible, you can check our garden wall calculator to give you ball park figures for a typical external wall.
Typical garden wall costs in the UK
Whether you need privacy, security, or simply want to enhance your garden’s appearance, knowing what it will cost to build a brick or block wall can help you plan your project and budget confidently.
The cost of building a garden wall varies depending on materials, labour, wall size, and complexity. As a general guide:
| Wall Type | Typical Cost per m² (Materials + Labour) | Notes |
| Brick wall (single skin) | £70 to £120 | Common for boundary or decorative garden walls |
| Brick wall (double skin / cavity) | £120 to £200+ | Stronger, thicker walls, often with piers or coping stones |
| Concrete block wall | £50 to £65 | Cheaper and quicker to build; often rendered or faced |
| Block wall with brick/render finish | £80 to £140 | Cost-effective alternative to full brick construction |
These figures include materials, mortar, and labour but exclude foundations, decorative features, and waste removal.
For example, a simple 1 m high × 4 m long single-skin brick wall might cost around £650 to £850 all-in, while a 2 m high double-skin wall of the same length could reach £1,500 to £2,000+.
User submitted bricklaying prices
| Job type | Description | Price | Units | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garden wall | Building a garden wall 13 feet by 3 feet including the construction of 2 pillars to form an entrance and installation of wrought iron gate 3 feet by 3 feet. | £1510 | Total price | South West |
| Garden wall | Garden wall consisting of 3 pillars 15 course high (approx 66 bricks to each one) and 2 side walls 9 course high by 4.5 ft length (approx 110 bricks to each one).Also a length of one course of bricks (approx 40 bricks) Approx. Total 458 bricks with cement, sand and labour. The ground was already prepared and old wall had already been taken away. I used my old caps for the 3 pillars. | £720 | Total price | North East |
| Garden wall | Front garden wall either side of drive way, removed existing wall (500 bricks) rebuilt wall, supplied bricks (600) sand, cement. | £650 | Total price | West Midlands |
| Garden wall | Garden wall, laid 850 bricks, 18 concrete block. For :- 2x 4 brick piers 1x wall 19 bricks long x 10 bricks high ( this wall faced an existing concrete block wall) 1 x wall 16 bricks long x 8 bricks high (curved ) which was backed with concrete blocks. This then had another 4 courses on top which was double sided with bricks which were stepped ( 3 times to take the slope of the garden) 3 x steps 1800 wide which had 4 x 450×450 slabs on each step, the wall was returned each side of the steps ( to make the steps). The job was labour only | £2000 | Labour only | South West |
| Garden wall | 11 meters long 1.2 high 7 pillars at 700 high 9 inch wide wall | £2940 | Total price | North East |
| Garden wall | Erection of outdoor wall, bricks, digging and concrete foundation of wall of 30m2 | £1360 | Total price | South East |
| Garden wall | Took down existing wall 1 metre high x 8 metre long. Carted away rubbish, rebuilt wall in second hand stocks, left site clean and tidy. | £1195 | Total price | South East |
| Garden wall | I had wall built there were 1000 face bricks | £1300 | Total price | North West |
| Garden wall | 30 feet length 6 feet high garden face brickwall with pillars and concrete footings | £5900 | Total price | East of England |
| Garden wall | Take down a old garden wall and build a new one approx 600 bricks 2x men and remove old stuff | £880 | Total price | South East |
| Garden wall | Knee high brick wall with concrete capping stones approx. 10m long with two 4ft columns at gap for gate. | £2200 | Total price | London |
| Garden wall | Garden wall 10m x 0.7m high in 9inch block work. hack off render below bay window and re-render. labour, materials + skip | £950 | Total price | Cymru Wales |
| Garden wall | Garden wall 2200 bricks, 25m of copings, rip up and relay concrete path. All materials and skips supplied. | £3490 | Total price | Cymru Wales |
| Garden wall | Building a garden wall 13 feet by 3 feet including the construction of 2 pillars to form an entrance and installation of wrought iron gate 3 feet by 3 feet | £1500 | Total price | South East |
Factors affecting garden wall bricklaying costs
Even with standard materials, prices can vary widely. Here are the main cost drivers:
1. Wall dimensions (height, length and thickness)
Larger or thicker walls require more bricks, mortar, and labour time.
- A single-skin wall uses roughly 60 bricks per m².
- A double-skin wall can double that number and requires extra foundation width and wall ties.
2. Material choice
- Standard facing bricks are affordable and widely available.
- Reclaimed or handmade bricks can cost 30 to 50% more and may require extra cutting and wastage allowance.
- Concrete blocks are faster and cheaper to lay but often need a decorative finish.
- Coping stones or brick capping provide weather protection but add £10 to £25 per linear metre.
3. Foundations and groundwork
A stable base is essential for any wall. Typical footings (concrete base 300 to 600 mm wide and 150 to 200 mm deep) cost between £40 and £80 per linear metre, depending on soil conditions and excavation needs.
4. Labour rates
Skilled bricklayers generally charge:
- £35 to £45 per m² for straightforward walls, or
- £180 to £250 per day for day-rate work.
Access difficulty, bad weather, or curved designs can increase time and cost.
5. Site access and complexity
Tight access, uneven ground, or the need to hand-carry materials can significantly extend labour time. A wall on a slope or curve typically costs 20 to 30% more than a simple straight run.
6. Finishes and decorative elements
Rendering, painting, lighting, or installing decorative piers all increase the budget. For example:
- Render finish: £25 to £40 / m²
- Painting or waterproof coating: £10 to £15 / m²
- Decorative piers or pillars: £80 to £120 each
Example garden wall cost calculations
Here are a few example scenarios based on 2025 prices:
Example 1: small garden boundary wall
- 6 m long × 1 m high single-skin brick wall
- Total area = 6 m²
- Estimated cost = £70 to £120 × 6 m² = £420 to £720
- Add footings and coping stones: £650 to £950 total
Example 2: Decorative Double-Skin Wall
- 10 m long × 1.5 m high
- Double-skin construction for strength and noise reduction
- Total area = 15 m² (×2 skins = 30 m² brickwork)
- Estimated cost = £120 to £200 × 30 m² = £3,600 to £6,000
Example 3: Concrete Block Retaining Wall (Rendered)
- 8 m long × 1.2 m high block wall
- Rendered and painted finish
- Total area = 9.6 m²
- Blockwork £50 to £65 / m² + render £30 / m²
- Total = £760 to £920 + £290 render = £1,050 to £1,200
Regional cost variations
Garden wall prices vary across the UK:
- London and the Southeast: 10 to 25% higher than average due to labour and material costs.
- North of England, Wales, and Scotland: Often 10 to 20% lower.
- Rural areas: May incur travel or delivery surcharges for materials.
WhatPrice’s user-submitted quotes are especially useful for tracking regional variations, as they show real-world prices from homeowners across the UK.
Extra costs to keep in mind
When budgeting, don’t forget potential add-ons:
- Waste removal / skip hire: £100 to £250
- Demolition of old wall: £40 to £80 / m²
- Drainage or DPC installation: £5 to £15 / m²
- Gate openings or ironwork: £150 to £400+ depending on size
How to get accurate quotes from bricklayers
To ensure you’re comparing like-for-like, ask each contractor for a detailed breakdown that includes:
- Material specification (brick type, mortar, coping).
- Foundation design and depth.
- Labour rate or per-m² pricing.
- Allowance for waste, access, and weather delays.
- Timeline and payment schedule.
- Waste disposal and clean-up responsibilities.
Always request at least three quotes from reputable tradespeople. You can compare your quotes against the user-submitted data here on WhatPrice to gauge fairness.
How to save money on a garden wall build
- Keep the design simple: Straight runs without curves or corners are cheapest.
- Choose cost-effective materials: Standard bricks or rendered blockwork are far cheaper than reclaimed bricks.
- Source your own materials: Sometimes buying bricks directly from a merchant can save 5 to 10%.
- Schedule work off-peak: Autumn and winter jobs can sometimes attract better rates.
- Prepare the site yourself: Clearing the area or providing easy access can reduce labour time.
When might costs increase?
Some walls require more specialist work, which pushes up the price:
- Retaining walls holding back soil
- Heritage or listed property matches requiring reclaimed bricks
- Complex foundations due to clay or uneven ground
- Restricted access (materials carried through house or narrow path)
- Decorative or structural features, such as curves, arches, or integrated seating
In these cases, total costs can easily reach £250 to £300 per m².
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to build a block wall than a brick wall?
Yes. Block walls cost about 30 to 40% less per m² than brick but often need rendering or facing for appearance and durability.
Do I need planning permission for a garden wall?
Usually not, unless your wall is over 1m high next to a public highway or over 2m high elsewhere. Always check with your local council if unsure.
How long does it take to build a garden wall?
A small wall (under 10m long) can be completed in 2 to 4 days. Larger or double-skin walls may take a week or more, depending on weather and access.
What maintenance does a garden wall need?
Minimal maintenance is required other than occasional repointing and checking for frost damage or efflorescence. Keeping coping stones intact helps prevent water ingress.
