Brick and natural stone walls have several uses outside the home. These walls can add a decorative touch to a lawn or garden and 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.
Building a wall on your property, for decorative or functional purposes, could cost as little as $850 or as much as $12,100. Most homeowners spend between $2,095 and $6,786 on installing a brick, stone, or block wall or fence, with the average coming in at $4,431 per wall.
As this wide range suggests, the cost of building a wall depends on many variables: including the primary building material, additional materials like mortar and rebar for reinforcement, labor costs, dimensions, and building tools like cutting and grinding equipment.
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The cost of your wall will depend on the material you choose. In addition, each option will come with its own installation materials that are necessary for a successful project. These materials (such as mortar for your brick wall) can drive up the cost of your structure, sometimes significantly.
The size of your wall will be another major cost factor in its construction. Below is an overview of your expected costs based on square feet, linear feet, and meters.
| Material | Cost Per Square Foot | Cost Per Square Meter |
|---|---|---|
| Brick | $14.10 | $151.71 |
| Brick Veneer | $10 | $107.60 |
| Hollow Brick | $25.40 | $273.30 |
| Natural Stone | $8 - $12 | $129.12 |
| Stone Veneer | $11 - $15 | $118.36 |
Cost per square meter is calculated by multiplying the cost per square foot by a factor of 10.76.
- Brick - $14 sq. ft. - Brick walls are often an affordable option. Traditional brick walls cost around $14 per square foot. However, you will also need to calculate in a variety of additional materials, such as mortar and concrete for the base trench of the wall.
- Brick Veneer - $10 sq. ft. - A brick veneer wall gives you the appearance of brick, with a wood frame behind. Because installation costs tend to be low at less than $10 per square foot of brick siding, it could be a cost-effective alternative to regular brick. However, you will also have to pay for additional materials that include the wood structure, grout, and mortar.
- Hollow Brick - $26 sq. ft. - A hollow brick wall costs around $25.40 per square foot. It features a unique design with a durable shell and a hollow space in the center of each brick. If the wall reaches a certain height and requires additional reinforcement, most contractors will recommend the use of hollow brick walls. In that case, they can easily slide steel bars inside the bricks to reinforce the wall.
- Natural Stone Tiles - $8 - $12 sq. ft. - 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.
- Stone Veneer - $11 - $15 sq. ft. - As is the case with brick, you can opt to go with a stone veneer facade for your wood-structured garden wall. The cost are similar to brick veneer, at $11 to $15 per square foot with all materials (but no labor) included.
- Cinder/Concrete Block - $6 - $8 linear ft. - A concrete block wall costs $6.10 to $7.60 per linear foot. A single cinder block will cost between $1 and $3, making it one of the least expensive options for your property wall or fence. You will need mortar, rebar, and a potential finish to complete a cinder or concrete block wall.
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 or more for labor.
If the job requires more than one contractor, homeowners must pay the hourly wage of all contractors working on the job. In addition, the material of the wall to be built will impact the price you pay for its installation.
Building a brick wall is a relatively labor-intensive process, which includes the necessity for exact work with the mortar. As a result, contractors can charge up to $40 per hour to build your brick wall.
Installing a brick facade wall tends to be less expensive than a full brick wall. Expect your contractor to charge between $15 and $25 per hour for labor.
When installing this type of wall, stone workers typically charge between $20 and $30 per square foot. The reason for this relatively high cost is the extensive labor and tools required to build a stone wall.
Similar to brick veneer, stone veneer is relatively easy to install. As a result, you can expect to pay between $9 and $17 per square foot for the installation of your stone veneer wall.
As its name suggests, a dry stack wall includes consists of stones stacked on top of each other without mortar or any other binding agent. For decorative purposes, it can become a centerpiece of your property. At the same time, labor costs can be significant, up to $65 per hour.
Find a Brick & Stone Wall Builder In Your Area
There are dozens of ways that homeowners can use brick, stone or concrete block walls around their homes. The purpose of the wall can determine its materials, as well as the homeowner's expected costs for construction.
A fence is a natural use for any wall on your property. It provides privacy, and clarifies property lines. The materials you use will naturally influence is cost, as will the total periphery size of your property and the intended height of the wall. Depending on these variables, expect to pay between $15 and $40 per square foot for your fencing wall.
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. Costs for retaining walls range between $2,850 and $7,466, depending on variables such as size of the wall and evenness of the ground.
Naturally, not all walls on your property have to be outside. You can also add a brick or stone accent wall to one of your rooms. Expect to pay between $956 and $2,707 for the installation of an interior wall, in addition to the cost of the finish such as veneer mentioned above.
4. Garden Wall - $400 - $600
Many people use small walls to create functional gardens and raise flowerbeds. They stack the 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 and brick walls as a way to differentiate between different types of plants placed in a garden.
Because these walls tend to be relatively small, their price tag is relatively low. The cost of a raised garden bed, for instance, tends to range between $400 and $600 depending on the size of the garden and the intended height.
Other Considerations That Effect Price
- Permits. Depending on the use for and location of your wall, you may need a permit. Expect to pay between $100 and $500 for a building permit.
- Drainage solutions. Some walls require proper rainwater drainage. Depending on the exact function, you can pay between $0.50 per square foot and $70 per linear foot for the right drainage solution.
- Survey for property lines. A wall located on your property line needs to be exact to avoid any legal or neighborly trouble. A survey of your land will cost between $200 and $1,000, depending on property size.
- Difficult terrain. The more uneven the terrain, the more expensive it will be to build a functional wall. Difficult terrain will increase the amount of time your contractor needs to spend on the wall, so this variable will affect labor costs.
- Some walls need larger footings. A footing makes sure that the wall remains secure and does not start leaning. Of course, it also adds an additional cost point as you will need more soil dug out, and more cement to fill the footing.
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.
Some homeowners find that walls can fall or lean to one side when not installed properly. 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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