How Much Does a Brick Wall Cost to Build? [2024 Data]

Cost of Brick Walls by Type of Brick

Different types of bricks have different structural demands and come with varying price tags for the materials alone. Below are some estimates of the most popular types of bricks. Keep in mind that you’ll still need to budget between $70 and $110 per hour for the installation labor.

Brick Veneer

Brick veneers, also called “wythe,”  cover a steel or wood frame to give the appearance of a solid brick wall at a lesser cost. Brick veneers cost $4 to $10 per square foot for the materials alone, but the labor costs will be much lower than they would with real brick, so it’s a more affordable option overall.

Brick veneer walls come in two options: standard and thin. Standard veneers are usually about four inches thick, while thin veneers are around 1 inch thick. Thin veneers are more affordable in many cases, ranging from $3 to $8 per square foot.

Hollow Bricks

Hollow bricks are hollow, as the name suggests, and have an open space in the center of a durable shell. They cost $15 to $30 per square foot, but they’re less labor-intensive to install than standard brick, so labor charges will be lower. Hollow bricks are often made from recycled materials and can reduce the overall load of the wall, potentially ridding of the need for a footing.

Real Brick

Real bricks will cost an average of $5 per square foot for the materials alone, or between $3 and $8 in most cases. Real brick is the most supportive option, so it’s usually the best choice if you’re building a new brick wall, especially if it will bear any load. Real brick is often more affordable than a brick veneer in material costs alone, but you’ll pay far more in labor costs to install it, so the total will be significantly higher in most cases.

Cost of Different Types of Brick Walls

Photo: olgavolodina / Adobe Stock

There are several types of brick walls, such as fences, privacy walls, garden walls, and even interior brick walls. The type of fence or wall you want to install will affect your overall costs. 

Brick Privacy Wall

If you're looking for an attractive way to prevent onlookers from seeing into your yard, then a brick privacy wall is a great option. Privacy walls, also known as privacy fences, usually cost between $200 and $360 per linear foot, or around $35 to $45 per square foot, including labor. These are some of the most labor-intensive brick walls you can build.

Brick Fence Cost

Brick fences are similar to privacy fences, but they extend around the entire perimeter of a yard rather than just a portion of it. Depending on the fence's location and features, brick fences cost between $15 and $40 per square foot. They are often shorter and thinner than a brick privacy wall, reducing the installation cost.

Brick Garden Wall

Brick garden fences or walls can provide an attractive barrier around your garden or another small area in your yard, helping to define the space while providing privacy and protection from critters who want to munch on your crops. Using natural clay for the bricks, you'll pay around $25 to $35 per square foot, while concrete blocks cost around $10 to $20 per square foot. 

Brick Columns

Rather than going with a full brick wall, you can install brick columns for anywhere from $500 and $7,000 or more, depending on how long and tall your brick columns are. Ornamental brick columns cost between $500 and $2,000 each, while structural columns cost $2,000 to $7,000 or more. Your total project cost could be much higher if you install a wrought iron fence between the columns to separate areas of your property further.

Retaining Wall 

Brick retaining walls are used when there's a slope or elevation in the wall to help contain soil and prevent it from shifting or eroding. Brick retaining walls cost between $20 and $25 per square foot.

Exterior Brick Facade

Some homeowners cover portions of their exterior walls with a brick facade to change the home's appearance. This type of wall—called a brick facade—can total between $10 and $60 per square foot, fully installed, depending on the type of brick or brick veneer you choose.

Interior Brick Facade

The cost to install a brick facade on an interior wall will be about the same as on the exterior—between $10 and $60 per square foot, depending on the type of brick or veneer you choose. However, labor costs can push this price a bit higher, as moving brick inside your home can be time-consuming.

Brick Wall Cost Factors

Building a brick wall depends on material and labor costs, as well as additional factors that affect these two totals.

Wall Size

The size of your brick wall is the most important cost factor, as the price per square foot to build a brick wall can vary between $10 and $45. The bigger your wall, the more you can expect to pay for labor and materials.

Brick Type

Common clay bricks can go for around $550 for 1,000 bricks, but even that price can vary between $350 to $850. The average price translates to around $5 per square foot, and the normal range would mean you’d pay between $2.60 and $6.30 per square foot in materials alone.

Labor

Masons charge between $70 and $110 an hour. Your brick wall construction cost might be $45 per square foot or higher if the project involves intricate designs or difficult materials.

Site Prep

If you're building a brick wall outdoors on tough or uneven terrain, you'll need to spend money to clear the land, level it, and compact the soil. The cost to clear land can range from $500 to $5,000 or more depending on the land's condition, tree density, and the size of your wall. 

If your yard has a steep slope or other elevation, you should level it before installing a brick wall safely. Yard leveling costs anywhere from $400 to $6,000 or more, depending on your yard's size, condition, and slope.

Permits

Building permit prices often cost between $100 and $500 for a brick wall. Call your local code enforcement office to receive an accurate cost estimate. Again, this likely won’t be necessary if you build a brick wall inside your house or add a brick veneer outside.

Property Survey 

Property or land surveyor costs range from $350 to $700. This is a crucial expense to consider if you’re installing a brick fence or privacy wall and are not positive about your property lines, as it can prevent you from accidentally building a wall on someone else's property. 

Drainage

In most cases, you'll need to create a drainage solution around exterior brick walls since pooling water can lead to cracks and erosion. Landscaping drainage costs anywhere from $2,000 to $6,600, depending on the drainage system.

Footing

Footings are part of a brick wall's foundation, adding support and stability. They're typically made of concrete and installed at the base of the wall, extending into the ground to support the load above it. Footings help keep the wall from shifting or sinking and usually cost $15 to $55 per linear foot.

Waterproofing 

Adding a waterproofing sealant to your brick wall is always a good idea to block out moisture and prolong its life span, especially if it is going outside. Applying waterproofing sealant costs between $2 and $10 per square foot.

Painting or Staining

If you want to touch up your new brick wall with some paint or stain, you should budget a little extra for the materials and labor.

Expect an additional $2 to $5 per square foot to have your wall installation company paint the brick for you. Staining a brick wall costs a bit less because it’s less labor-intensive, so budget for between $1 and $4 per square foot.

Building a Brick Wall Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro

If you tackle this project yourself, you can skip the $70 to $110 an hour in labor costs altogether, ultimately saving an average of $2,500 on labor. However, you'll still need to pay for the bricks themselves and a few additional supplies and tools if you don't already have them on hand.

However, if you’re having trouble channeling your inner mason or don’t have the time to spare, a stonemason near you or a local fencing contractor can help bring your vision to life.

We should also mention that we strongly recommend hiring a masonry contractor near you for any large brick wall projects, privacy walls, brick fences, and outdoor projects that require a footing. Improperly installing a brick wall can have serious consequences, potentially leading to wall damage over time and personal injury.

How to Save on Brick Wall Costs 

There are a few ways to save money on a brick wall installation, including the following.

• Tackling part of or the entire project yourself to save on labor fees.

• Using salvaged or reclaimed bricks.

• Forgoing ornamentation in favor of a simple, straightforward design.

• Getting estimates from multiple pros to find the best price.

• Choosing the shortest wall height possible for your needs.

• Using standard-size bricks as opposed to custom brick sizes.

• Opting for a brick veneer over real bricks whenever possible.