Bricklaying explained in simple terms
Bricklaying forms the backbone of many construction, renovation, and refurbishment projects. Whether removing or rebuilding walls, pouring foundations, repairing facades, or building garden walls—the execution has a decisive influence on the load-bearing capacity, safety, and long-term quality of a building.
At the same time, masonry work is highly individual. The effort involved, materials, structural situation, and regional differences can lead to considerable price differences. This overview will help you to better classify typical work, estimate costs realistically, and find the right specialist company for your project.
Costs of masonry work in Switzerland?
There are hardly any standard prices for masonry work. It is not only the type of work that is decisive, but above all the details of its execution. Factors such as the choice of materials, structural requirements, accessibility of the construction site, and necessary preparatory work have a direct impact on costs.
Hourly rates serve as an initial guide, supplemented by project-related additional costs.
Hourly rates charged by bricklaying companies
In Switzerland, the hourly rates for qualified bricklayers generally range between:
- 90 and 110 CHF per hour
Depending on the job, bricklayers work in teams with construction assistants or apprentices, which can reduce the overall costs somewhat. For more demanding projects—such as load-bearing components or waterproofing—additional specialist services such as structural analysis or construction management are often required, which are billed separately.
However, the hourly rate alone is not very meaningful. The decisive factor is always the overall scope of the project.
What factors determine masonry costs?
The total costs are made up of several components, which vary in importance depending on the project.
Materials
Bricks, concrete, reinforcements, formwork, waterproofing systems, and special plasters vary greatly in price. High-quality or specialized solutions significantly increase costs.
Workload
Not all masonry work is equally complex. Working in confined basements, overhead, or outdoors in difficult ground conditions requires more time and therefore a larger budget.
Constructionsite situation
Difficult access, limited space for machinery, additional protective measures indoors, or work on upper floors extend the construction period.
Statics andsafety
As soon as load-bearing components are affected, static calculations, supports, and increased safety requirements are necessary. This increases planning and execution costs.
Demolition anddisposal
The demolition of walls or concrete incurs costs for machinery, containers, and disposal. Concrete demolition is particularly cost-intensive.
Finishingwork
Plastering, smoothing, sealing, or preparing for further finishing work are often part of the job and affect the final price.
Typical interior masonry work
In the home, masonry work ranges from minor adjustments to major alterations to the building structure. The following examples show typical services and their cost ranges.
Wall openings and penetrations
Breaking through a wall changes the layout of the room and creates open living areas. The cost depends on whether the wall is load-bearing.
- Non-load-bearing wall: relatively low cost, often in the low four-digit range
- Load-bearing wall: including structural analysis, support, and beams, often CHF 7,000–15,000 or more
The main cost drivers are structural calculations, protective measures, and disposal.
Create new interior walls
Various construction methods can be considered for new spaces.
- Drywall: Approximately $20–40 per square meter, plus filling and finishing work
- Brick interior walls: higher material and labor costs, correspondingly more expensive
Plastering and masonry work
Bricklayers fix uneven surfaces, repair damage, or renovate wall surfaces.
- Standard plaster: from approx. $22/m²
- High-quality or particularly smooth plaster: $35–45/m²
Extensive substrate preparation can increase costs.
Waterproofing and moisture protection
Damp basements or leaky building components are a common problem in older buildings.
- Joint sealing: $70–110 per linear meter
- Basement or exterior waterproofing: several thousand CHF, depending on the scope of work
Professional execution is particularly important here, as mistakes can result in high follow-up costs.
Bricklaying work on the building: facade, extension, and shell construction
Work on the building envelope or shell places high demands on planning and execution, as it involves weather conditions, structural stability, and often building regulations.
Renovating or re-plastering facades
Cracks, spalling, or moisture impair the protection and appearance of the facade. Bricklayers repair damaged areas or completely renew the facade plaster to protect the masonry in the long term.
Extensions and additions
When extending living space, bricklayers carry out foundation, masonry, and waterproofing work. Close coordination with structural engineers, planners, and building authorities is crucial to ensure that the new structure is permanently and securely connected to the existing building.
Garages andfoundations
Solid garages or utility rooms require load-bearing, frost-free foundations. Bricklayers ensure stable structures and correct masonry. Anyone planning to install technology such as a wall box or photovoltaic system at a later date should take this into account at an early stage.
Bricklaying in the garden and outdoor areas
Bricklaying also plays a central role in outdoor areas—both from a structural and a design perspective.
Garden and retainingwalls
Natural stone walls look high-quality, but are labor-intensive. Concrete or block stones offer high stability, especially on slopes. A correct foundation and effective drainage are crucial.
Paths, terraces, andseating areas
Bricklayers create the substructure for slab or paving surfaces. Only a cleanly constructed substrate prevents subsequent settling or water problems.
Foundations for gardenstructures
Pergolas, garden sheds, and carports require precisely constructed point or strip foundations. These ensure that structures remain stable and level in the long term.
Bricklayer, builder, or general contractor?
A bricklayer is particularly suited to clearly defined individual tasks such as:
- Wall openings or new walls
- Cleaning and repair work
- seals
- Garden and retaining walls
As soon as several trades need to be coordinated or structural engineering plays a central role, a master builder or general contractor is often the better choice. They take on planning, coordination, and overall responsibility.
Conclusion: It pays to plan masonry work properly
Bricklaying is a key component of many construction projects. When carried out professionally, it ensures stability, safety, and long-term value retention. Clarifying the scope of work, choice of materials, and structural requirements at an early stage and comparing several quotes will help you avoid surprises and unnecessary costs.
An experienced bricklayer is perfectly adequate for smaller jobs. For more complex projects, additional planning and coordination are worthwhile. Choosing the right specialist company is crucial for a successful outcome.
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