How Much Does a Brick or Stone Wall Cost?

Brick or Stone Wall Fence Cost per Square Foot

Brick walls cost $10 to $45 per square foot based on thickness and type, while stone walls typically cost $25 to $80 per square foot depending on their thickness and style. Cinder block walls cost $9 to $12 per square foot, while the block cost per linear foot for traditional blocks is $6 to $8. 

Brick and Stone Installation Cost Factors 

Materials

Without a doubt, the type of brick or stone you want to use for your wall will influence your project’s cost. But besides the material itself, the design you choose and its complexity will also increase the cost of your project through additional material and labor fees.

For instance, your project will cost less if you want a simple brick wall versus stone if you want one with a textured pattern. Also, if you decide to finish your brick or cinder block wall with a stucco or smooth stucco finish, that would add another layer of material and labor fees. 

Location

The location where you want your brick or stone wall installed will play a role in the project’s final price. If your land is uneven, difficult to navigate, or more complex to work with than most properties, you’ll pay more in labor fees. 

Building Permits

You’ll need a permit to build a brick or stone wall on your property. But the price will depend on its location, type, and size. On average, building permits cost $100 to $500. 

Land Survey 

When building a wall around your property line, you need to know your land’s exact layout to avoid legal or neighborly trouble. Most homeowners spend $350 to $700 on the cost of land surveyor fees. 

Drainage Solution 

Another factor that will impact your project’s cost is a drainage solution. Your brick or stone wall needs proper drainage to avoid erosions, flooding, or soil-related issues. Drainage solutions cost $2,000 to $5,800 to install.  

Footing and Foundation

The actual price you can expect depends on the size and weight of your wall. On average, though, concrete footers can cost $15 to $55 per linear foot. But to ensure your wall’s structural integrity, you may need to hire an engineer. Structural engineer’s rates average $500. To avoid your wall from collapsing under its weight, you’ll need to install a foundation or concrete footer.  

Brick Costs

Homeowners typically pay $550 for bricks, but, on average, bricks cost $340 to $850 for 1,000 bricks.

Brick Project Costs

Brick Wall

Brick walls cost $5 to $45 per square foot depending on the type you choose: 

• Brick costs $27 to $45 per square foot. Traditional brick fences cost around $35 per square foot. 

• Veneer averages $10 to $30 per square foot. This one brick thick (4 inches) wall acts as a veneer against a steel or wood frame. Also known as a “Wythe.”

• Thin brick veneer costs $5 to $15 per square foot. These are about one inch thick and get stuck to a wall using a thin-set or similar cementing process. They add far less overall weight to the wall than a Wythe.

• Hollow costs $20 to $30 per square foot. 

Brick Fence Cost

A brick fence costs between $15 and $40 per square foot. Certain factors will help you accurately estimate your project’s total for building a brick fence, such as design, size, and location. 

Garden Wall

A garden brick fence costs $25 to $35 per square foot when using natural clay material and $15 per square foot for concrete blocks. If you want a raised garden bed, expect to pay $400 to $600, depending on your garden’s size and height. 

Privacy Wall

Brick walls are an excellent choice for homeowners who want an attractive fence that can provide privacy for them and their families. The average cost to install a privacy wall is $35 to $45 per square foot or $210 to $360 per linear foot. 

Retaining Wall

Your property might need a retaining wall to help support the soil behind it and create level ground where it naturally wasn’t before, help with drainage, or create water features. If you do, retaining walls cost $3,200 to $8,700.  Retaining wall installation requires an engineer when a retaining wall is over 4 feet tall. 

Interior Wall 

Interior brick walls are rarely real brick but instead are a thin veneer, so an interior brick wall costs $5 to $15 per square foot to install. 

Column or Pillar

The cost of a brick column or pillar is based on the type of column you want to build. If you want to build an ornamental brick column, it’ll cost $500 to $2,000. But if you need a structural column, it can typically cost you $2,000 to $7,000.

Labor Costs

The recommended professional when building a solid brick wall is a mason. Masons charge $70 to $110 per hour. For thin veneer or a single wythe over concrete or wood, the labor runs $25 to $40 per hour for general contractors or carpenters. When doing an interior wall on a home, it’s a specialized process that often gets done incorrectly. 

Stone Project Costs

Rock Wall Cost

Homeowners typically pay $20 to $30 per square foot to install a rock wall. However, the type of stone you want for your wall will impact the actual price you’ll pay. For a rock wall with natural stone tiles, stone workers charge $25 to $50+ per square foot, while stone veneer averages $10 to $25 per square foot.  

Fieldstone Fence or Dry Stack Stone Wall Cost

Installing a fieldstone fence or dry stack stone wall costs $20 to $60 per square foot; factors such as size and stone type will give you a more accurate estimate. 

Accent Wall Cost

It’ll cost $4,000 to $8,000 to install a stone accent wall in your home. Unless your home can support the weight of real stones, your contractor will use stone veneers. If you do want to use real stone, you’ll need to modify your home to handle the load capacity. 

Pillars

Installing stone pillars will cost $1,300 to $3,000 per pillar and can reach up to $5,000 each for solid natural stone. Factors such as stone and frame type, structural integrity, and project size will impact your final cost.

Labor Costs

Masons charge anywhere from $70 to $110 per hour for labor. Carpenters and other general contractors or less experienced masons might charge $30 to $50 per hour. Hourly rates also vary from place to place. Depending on materials, about 60% to 80% of stone wall costs come from labor, especially if you source stones locally.

• Natural Stone: $15 to $30+ per square foot in labor.

• Stone Veneer: $10 to $15 per square foot in labor.

Additional Projects

Block Wall Costs

Cinder block walls cost $9 to $12 per square foot, and a plain block wall can cost $6 to $8 per linear foot.

Wall Finishes Costs

If you’re interested in adding a finish to your brick or stone wall, here are some prices you can expect: 

• Stucco costs $8 per square foot.

• Wood siding costs $3-$10 per square foot, depending on the type of wood.

• Thin brick siding costs $5-$15 per square foot.

• Painting bricks cost $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot.

DIY Brick & Stone Wall Construction vs. Hire a Pro

You can save money on labor costs when building a brick or stone wall, but there isn’t a quick fix for a DIY, and it often leads to removing and replacing the wall. So, this project is better left to the brick and stone wall builders near you.

FAQs

Is a brick fence cheaper than a wood fence?

A wood fence costs $3,000 on average, while a brick wall costs $5,000. However, it’s important to mention that brick walls last longer than wooden fences and have lower maintenance than their wooden counterpart.  

Where can you use a brick or stone wall?

Brick or stone walls make excellent architectural and landscaping features in various places, including:

• Yard Fencing

• Accent Wall

• Garden beds

• Gate posts

• Outdoor kitchens

• Pool fencing

• Driveway lining

How much does it cost to brick a house?

Bricking a house costs $15 per square foot on average.