How Much Does it Cost to Install a Brick, Stone, or Block Wall?

Brick, natural stone and concrete block walls have a number of uses outside the home. These walls can add a decorative touch to a lawn or garden and also increase the functionality of the space. Before choosing brick, stone or concrete, homeowners should look at the cost of those materials and other factors as well.

Uses of Brick, Stone or Block Walls

There are dozens of ways that homeowners can use brick, stone or concrete block walls around their homes. When properly installed, these walls become retaining walls that prevent small mudslides and other accidents. If the ground outside the home is uneven or sloped, heavy rains and excess moisture can cause dirt and mud to slide across the ground. Retaining walls prevent those problems and keep the lawn from absorbing too much water.

Many people use small walls to create functional gardens and raise flowerbeds. They stack the blocks, bricks or stones to the height needed, secure the materials in place and add fresh soil to the center of the design. They can then use the space inside as a raised flowerbed with their favorite flowers. Some homeowners also use stone, brick and block walls as a way to differentiate between different types of plants placed in a garden.

Cost of Materials

The cost of adding a new wall to a home depends on the material used. Brick walls are often an affordable option, and a hollow brick wall costs around $25.40 per square foot. Hollow bricks feature a unique design with a durable shell and a hollow space in the center of each brick. Traditional brick walls cost around $14.10 per square foot. If the wall reaches a certain height and requires additional reinforcement, most contractors will recommend the use of hollow brick walls. They can easily slide steel bars inside the bricks to reinforce the wall.

The cost of building a new stone wall is a little more expensive than the cost of building a brick wall. Manufacturers of stone blocks must source large pieces of stone and use special machines to cut those stones into small fence blocks. A natural stone wall will cost around $8 to $12 per square foot based on the type of stone chosen. A concrete block wall costs $6.10 to $7.60 per linear foot. Homeowners will also need to pay for any other materials needed, including steel bars, sand to keep the stones from rubbing against each other and mortar.

Labor Costs

Homeowners should also consider the labor costs associated with installing a new wall. Labor costs vary significantly based on where the homeowners live. Those in smaller communities can often hire contractors who charge as little as $10 per hour, while those living in larger cities might pay $20 per hour for labor. If the job requires more than one contractor, homeowners must pay the hourly wage of all contractors working on the job.

Advantages of Walls

Learning more about the advantages and disadvantages of different wall types can help homeowners decide which material works best in their home. Regardless of which material they choose, these walls can reduce runoff from rain, prevent damage caused by mudslides and highlight a particular part of a lawn or garden. The blocks and stones come in a variety of colors that range from lighter shades of tan and cream to darker and bolder colors of black and red. Homeowners can match the blocks to their plants or the paint color of their homes.

Disadvantages of Walls

One issue with natural stone is that those stones don't do well in harsher climates. Stone can chip or crack when exposed to rain and ice. Those choosing concrete walls will need to seal the concrete with a special product to prevent cracking, and they'll need to reapply that sealant every few years. Some homeowners also find that the walls can fall down or lean to one side when not installed properly.

Why Hire a Professional

After looking at the overall costs of the job, some homeowners might consider the DIY route. Adding a new decorative wall to a house is a job often best left to the experts. Many homeowners find that it can take days or even weeks for them to cut the materials into the right sizes and shapes, and some people discover that they need to spend more on tools and equipment for the job. Professional installers can often complete the job in a fraction of the time that it would take a homeowner.

Homeowners also need to think about the overall shape, size and design of the wall and pay particular attention to the height and length as well. If the wall reaches a certain height or length, it may need additional reinforcement. Steel bars or another durable material placed inside the wall can keep the blocks from shifting or moving. Most homeowners do not know how to install that reinforcement or even what type of reinforcement they need, but installers can easily add the right products to keep that wall in place.

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