Bricks usually cost $0.40-$2.50 each, with a common standard clay brick averaging about $0.80-$1.25 before delivery and installation. The final price depends on brick type, finish, quantity, region, and whether the estimate includes mortar and a mason’s labor.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard clay brick | $0.40 each | $0.80-$1.25 each | $2.50 each | Common new brick; specialty finishes can cost more |
| Concrete brick | $0.35 each | $0.60-$1.20 each | $2.00 each | Price varies by color, shape, and strength |
| Reclaimed brick | $0.75 each | $1.50-$3.00 each | $5.00 or more each | Cleaning, sorting, and limited supply raise prices |
| Installed brick veneer | $10 per sq ft | $15-$25 per sq ft | $35 per sq ft | Labor and materials; site and wall details matter |
What standard and specialty bricks cost each
For a basic building or landscaping project, a new standard clay brick generally costs $0.40-$1.25 each when purchased in larger quantities. A midrange brick with a more consistent color or face finish often runs $1.00-$2.50. Premium handmade, glazed, thin, or custom-colored units may reach $3-$8 each, especially when bought in small lots.
Concrete bricks often cost $0.35-$2 each, depending on dimensions, color, and whether the unit is intended for a visible wall or a structural application. Thin brick veneer commonly costs $3-$10 per square foot for the brick pieces alone; it is not a full-depth masonry brick and needs a suitable backing and installation system.
For a typical new clay brick, budgeting about $1 each is a reasonable starting point for the unit alone. Retail prices may be higher than contractor or pallet pricing, and tax, delivery, breakage, and mortar are usually separate. Assumptions: New standard modular clay brick, ordinary color, bulk purchase, before tax and delivery.
What brick quotes include from materials to labor
A quote for a finished brick wall may combine the brick, mortar, labor, and preparation. The table below gives broad U.S. planning ranges for a straightforward wall; costs vary with wall height, access, openings, finish, and local labor rates.
| Quote item | Low | Typical | High | Pricing basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brick units | $4 per sq ft | $6-$12 per sq ft | $20 per sq ft | About 4.5-7 bricks per sq ft, depending on size and bond |
| Mortar and supplies | $1 per sq ft | $2-$4 per sq ft | $6 per sq ft | Mortar, ties, flashing, and minor consumables |
| Mason labor | $5 per sq ft | $8-$18 per sq ft | $25 per sq ft | Higher for intricate patterns or difficult access |
| Equipment and setup | $100 per job | $250-$700 per job | $1,500 or more | Scaffold, mixer, protection, and mobilization |
| Delivery and disposal | $75 per job | $150-$500 per job | $1,000 or more | Distance, pallet quantity, and removal volume |
Material estimates should account for waste. A simple wall may need roughly 5%-10% extra brick for cuts and breakage; elaborate patterns, corners, or many openings can require more. Quotes can also list a minimum charge for small jobs, since setup and travel may cost nearly as much as the masonry work itself.
Labor and site setup often cost more than the bricks on a basic installed wall. A mason’s hourly rate commonly falls around $50-$100, but many contractors price by area or project rather than by the hour.
How brick dimensions, finish, and strength change the price
Brick dimensions affect both the unit price and the number needed. A standard modular brick is approximately 7 5/8 inches long by 2 1/4 inches high by 3 5/8 inches deep, before mortar joints. About 6.8 modular bricks cover one square foot of single-wythe wall, although estimating practices and joint thickness can shift the count. Oversized units may cost more each but cover more area.
Face brick, intended to remain visible, is usually priced above common brick because color, texture, and consistency matter. A basic face brick may cost $0.60-$1.50 each; tumbled, glazed, handmade, or unusually uniform products can cost $2-$8 or more each. Brick selected for paving or heavy-duty use may carry a higher price because it must meet different performance needs.
Strength and exposure ratings also matter. Brick used below grade, in a wet climate, or near freeze-thaw conditions should meet the applicable project requirements; choosing a cheaper unsuitable unit can lead to repairs. Custom colors, nonstandard shapes, and special-order products can add 10%-50% or more compared with common stock and may have longer lead times.
Compare the price per square foot of coverage, not just the price per brick. A larger brick can have a higher unit price but need fewer units, while a thin veneer has a lower material weight but requires a compatible installation system. Assumptions: Single-wythe wall, ordinary mortar joints, no unusual cuts or structural detailing.
How wall size and layout affect brick quantities
For an uncomplicated single-brick wall, a rough planning allowance is 6-7 modular bricks per square foot. A 100-square-foot wall therefore takes approximately 600-700 bricks before adding waste. At $0.80-$1.25 each, the brick portion would be about $480-$875, excluding mortar, delivery, and labor. Double-wythe construction can use roughly twice the brick, while veneer coverage and product dimensions differ.
Openings reduce the net wall area, but they do not always reduce the quote in direct proportion. Windows and doors require cuts, lintels, flashing, and careful edge work. Corners, arches, pilasters, steps, and decorative bonds add labor and may increase waste. A detailed takeoff from the installer is more useful than multiplying the overall wall dimensions by a single unit price.
For a simple installed wall, common project pricing is about $15-$30 per square foot, with difficult access or architectural detailing pushing the total above that range. A basic 100-square-foot project may therefore cost around $1,500-$3,000 before major site work or unusually expensive brick. Small repairs can have a minimum service fee of $250-$750 even when the repair area is limited.
Measure the actual wall area and confirm whether the bid includes one or two brick wythes. That distinction can materially change both the quantity and the installed price. Assumptions: Straight, accessible wall; standard brick; no demolition, foundation work, or complex openings.
Where regional labor and delivery move brick prices
Brick prices and completed masonry bids vary by local supply, freight distance, wages, and contractor availability. In major coastal cities and high-cost metro areas, installed work may run 15%-35% above a national middle-range estimate. Lower-cost rural markets can come in 5%-20% below it, although limited mason availability or long delivery routes can reverse that advantage.
Clay brick is often easier to source near established brick-producing regions and large distribution centers. In areas far from a supplier, freight can add $100-$500 or more per order; a small order may cost more per unit because the truck and handling charges are spread across fewer bricks. Pallet deposits, unloading equipment, and delivery access may also appear on the quote.
Labor differences can be as important as the brick’s listed price. A mason may charge roughly $50-$100 per hour, with higher rates in expensive cities or for specialized restoration. Some contractors instead use installed square-foot rates, commonly about $15-$35 for straightforward work. Compare quotes that use the same wall dimensions, brick grade, mortar, and preparation scope.
Use local delivered pricing rather than an online unit price to set the project budget. Ask whether the delivery charge includes unloading and whether the price changes for a partial pallet. Assumptions: Typical residential delivery, ordinary access, no crane or extended carry required.
When reclaimed brick costs more than new brick
Reclaimed brick commonly costs $0.75-$3 each, with selected antique or matching lots reaching $5-$10 each. The price reflects cleaning, inspection, sorting by size and color, and the difficulty of finding enough units from a consistent batch. Some reclaimed bricks are sold by the pallet or square foot rather than individually, so the supplier’s coverage estimate should be checked.
New standard brick is usually the lower-cost choice for a large wall with no need to match an old building. Reclaimed units can make sense for a small restoration where appearance is important, but their size variation can slow installation. A mason may charge 10%-30% more labor for sorting, trimming, or working with irregular bricks.
Thin brick veneer can be a less expensive way to get a brick appearance when a full masonry wall is not required. Materials often cost $3-$10 per square foot, and installed veneer can range from about $10-$25 per square foot, depending on the backing and labor. It is not a substitute for structural brickwork and may need additional substrate preparation.
Compare the full installed price of reclaimed brick against new brick before paying a premium for the units. A low reclaimed unit price can be offset by cleaning, freight, extra waste, and slower laying. Assumptions: Decorative or nonstructural application unless an engineer or local code official specifies otherwise.
How to lower a brick project bill without cutting quality
Choosing a stock brick color and standard size can avoid special-order charges and reduce delays. Ordering enough material in one delivery may lower freight per brick, but excess stock can tie up cash and may not be returnable. Confirm the supplier’s pallet quantity and return policy before purchasing, and have the mason verify the count and waste allowance.
Keep the design straightforward where appearance allows. A running bond is generally faster than intricate patterns, arches, or extensive borders. Grouping openings and avoiding unnecessary corners can reduce cutting and detailing. On a repair, replacing only damaged bricks may cost less than rebuilding a whole section, provided the surrounding wall is stable and a compatible brick can be matched.
Prepare the site before the crew arrives if the contractor agrees: clear access, move stored items, and identify utility lines. Do not remove structural masonry or alter supports as a do-it-yourself cost-saving measure. Compare at least three written quotes with the same brick, wall area, mortar, demolition, disposal, and finish specifications; a low bid that omits flashing or cleanup may not be the least expensive completed job.
The largest controllable savings usually come from standard materials, simple layout, and a complete apples-to-apples quote. Avoid choosing a brick solely by unit price when durability, exposure rating, or matching requirements affect long-term performance.