Installing a garden wall, whether in the front or back, can be aesthetically pleasing and provide privacy and security.
The cost to build a garden wall typically ranges from £500 to £4,000.
However, the cost of building a garden wall varies depending on several factors, which we will discuss in this guide.
Read on for more detailed information about building a garden wall.
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Contents
How much does it cost to build a garden wall?
In most cases, a bricklayer will provide a quote to build a garden wall that includes labour and materials; however, make sure that they give you a detailed breakdown of costs.
These are ballpark costs including materials and labour but these costs can vary depending on many factors; for more accurate quotes, post a job here.
| Type of wall | Average cost (per m²) | Duration |
| Single-skin brick garden wall | £60 – 170 | 1 – 3 days |
| Double-skin brick garden wall | £100 – 200 | 2 – 3 days |
| Concrete block garden wall | £55 – 70 | 1 – 2 days |
| Stone garden wall | £200 – 450 | 2 – 6 days |
| Bricklayer cost (labour only) | £150 – 330 per day | n/a |
| Get quotes | ||
How much does it cost to build a brick wall?
The cost to build a brick wall (single skin and size of 1m x 4m) would be between approximately £400 and £1,000.
For a double skin brick wall of the same size it would be around £600 and £1,200.
However the cost of building a brick wall in your garden depends on the size of the wall, the type of brick and the experience of the bricklayer as well as many other factors which we discuss below.
Cost factors affecting the price of building a garden wall
Bricklayer experience and location
Bricklayers usually charge by the day which is between £150 – 330 depending on where you live, their experience and if they are a bricklayer or a stonemason.
Bricklayers charge more in London and the south-east compared to places up north. For example, in the south-east, an experienced bricklayer charges around £280 per day, based on laying an average of 150 – 250 bricks per day.
A stonemason typically charges more than a bricklayer because it is a more specialised trade and is usually quite labour intensive.
Ask your bricklayer to include their daily rate, how long they expect the job to take, and any possible issues that may arise in their quote.
Type of material
The three most popular types of materials used to build a garden wall are brick, stone and concrete.
The cost of these materials varies between £45 and £300 per metre square, depending on which material you go for.
Here are ballpark costs for the different types of materials you can use to build a garden wall.
| Type of material | Cost per m² |
| Bricks | £50 – 300 |
| Natural stone | £75 – 200 |
| Sandstone | £75 – 150 |
| Concrete blocks (breeze blocks) | £45 – 60 |
| Get quotes | |
Brick
Brick cost per m² can range from £50 – 300, depending on the type of brick. Reclaimed and hand-made bricks are more expensive than machine-made bricks.
Reclaimed bricks (taken from older buildings to be reused) can be difficult to source, especially if you are trying to match them to existing brickwork. If you want the bricklayer to source them, this can increase the labour cost.
Machine-made facing bricks are the most popular type of brick in the UK for building a garden wall. They are durable and come in different colours, textures, and finishes.
If you choose brick, you must also decide on the pattern, otherwise known as the ‘bond’. The more complicated the pattern, the longer it will take to install, resulting in higher labour costs.
Stone
Out of all the materials, stone is the most expensive material to buy, with reclaimed stone being the most expensive.
The average cost to build a stone wall ranges from £200 to £450 per square metre.
As mentioned earlier, hiring a professional stonemason is advisable to build a stone wall and they usually charge more as it is a specialised trade.
Concrete
Concrete (poured or concrete blocks) has become increasingly popular for garden walls, due to its versatility and good value.
Concrete blocks, otherwise known as breeze blocks can be rendered and painted any colour making it a popular, modern choice for homeowners.
Additional materials
You will need to factor in costs for other materials the builder will require, such as concrete for the footing and cement, sand and plasticiser for the mortar. To give you an idea, these materials will cost around £200 – 400, but it all depends on the size of your wall.
Depending on which material you choose will decide whether you need mortar or not. For instance, interlocking concrete blocks won’t need mortar, saving material costs, whereas stone bricks will need lime mortar, which is more expensive than brick mortar.
Additional costs
Garden waste removal cost
If the area needs clearing before the wall is built, you might need to factor in a cost for garden waste removal.
For this job, you have two options: either pay a gardener to clear the garden or save money by doing it yourself. If you choose the latter, you will most likely need a skip, but either way, you will need to factor in around £200.
Garden wall removal cost
If you need to remove the original garden wall before building the new one, again, you can do this yourself, but you will need a skip. Or you can hire a labourer to do it. Removing a garden wall would cost around £150 – 200 per day for a labourer.
Rendering
Rendering garden walls is becoming increasingly popular, and can cost approximately £25 – 40 per m².
Cost factors affecting the price of building a garden wall?
Size and shape of the wall
The cost of building a garden brick wall depends on its height, thickness (single skin / double skin), and length.
The size of the wall will depend on its purpose. A single skin will be sufficient if it is a low garden wall, possibly for decorative purposes or dividing spaces.
For walls over 1 metre tall, you might need a double skin wall to provide more stability.
Installing a curved wall will generally be more challenging than installing a straight one, increasing the time required for the job and the labour cost.
Preparation
The amount of prep work that is needed will affect the cost.
For instance, if it is an entirely new wall, the builder must lay a solid foundation (a trench filled with concrete), also known as the ‘footing’. You will consequently need to pay for more materials and labour time.
Location
The labour cost depends on where you live. Bricklayers charge more in London and the south-east compared to places up north.
The location of the wall can also affect the cost of the garden wall. If it is in an area that is difficult to access, the labour cost will increase.
Garden wall repair cost
You might already have a garden wall that just needs repairing. Before hiring a tradesperson, it is worth checking if it is covered under your building insurance, as garden walls usually are.
The cost of repairing your garden wall will depend on what your garden wall is made of, the size of the wall, and the damage.
If it is made of brick and the mortar joints between the bricks are deteriorating, then it might need repointing.
The cost of repointing a brick wall, particularly a small garden wall, will cost between £150 and £600.
Or if the surface of some of the bricks is crumbling or chipped, in other words, spalling bricks, then you will need to have the bricks replaced.
The cost of repairing the bricks of a garden wall will, of course, depend on the number of bricks that need replacing.
The average cost of repairing spalling bricks is around £13 – 27 per brick.
Garden wall cost FAQ
How much does a garden retaining wall cost?
The average cost of a garden retaining wall is between £200 and £500 per m². However, as with all jobs, this depends on many factors, such as:
- The choice of materials
- The size and shape
- The terrain
- The location
Do I need planning permission to build a garden wall?
You will need planning permission if the brick wall you are planning to build is:
- Next to a public road AND over 1 metre tall
- Over 2 metres tall
- If it is on the grounds of a listed building
You might also need permission to remove a garden wall if you live in a conservation area.
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Above, we’ve discussed the cost to repair a garden wall and build one as well as other things related. Hopefully, this gives you a rough guide for your project.
Next, to kick your project off, post a job to get quotes from local bricklayers.