The short answer
A bricklaying contractor builds and repairs masonry: new walls, extension shells, garden and retaining walls, piers, arches, chimneys and repointing. When you hire one, check they do the type of work you need, that they are insured, that you can see finished jobs and read reviews from real customers, and that the quote says exactly what is included. A good bricklayer will visit, look at the existing brick and the ground, and explain how they would build it before giving a price.
What bricklaying work covers
Bricklaying is broader than most people expect. On a house extension the bricklayer builds the footing brickwork up to damp-proof course, then the cavity walls with an outer skin of facing brick, an inner skin of block and insulation between. On garden projects it means free-standing walls with a proper coping, piers for gates, raised beds and steps. On older houses it often means repair: cutting out damaged bricks, rebuilding a leaning section of wall or repointing tired joints.
Each of those needs slightly different skills. Facework on the front of a house has to be neat and plumb because everyone sees it. A retaining wall has to hold back soil and water, so the thickness, drainage and foundation matter more than the look. Repair work depends on matching the old brick and mortar so the patch does not stand out.
What to check before you hire
Ask to see photographs of similar work and, where possible, finished jobs you can look at from the street. Read reviews on independent platforms rather than only on the contractor's own site. Check the firm carries public liability insurance, and ask whether the people laying the bricks are qualified; a recognised bricklaying qualification such as an NVQ shows the trade was learned properly.
Membership of a trade body can help too, because members agree to a code of practice. None of this guarantees a good job on its own, but a contractor who is happy to show you all of it is usually one who takes the work seriously.
How a quote should read
A useful quote describes the work in words, not just a total. It should say what brick and mortar will be used, whether the foundations are included, who removes the spoil, how the joints will be finished and what happens if the ground turns out to be worse than expected. If Building Regulations or a party wall notice apply, it should say who arranges them.
When comparing two quotes, check they describe the same job. A lower figure sometimes leaves out the footing, the coping or the waste removal, and those gaps appear later as extras.
What happens on site
Most jobs start with setting out: string lines and pegs to mark exactly where the wall goes. Then comes the excavation and concrete footing, which Building Control may need to inspect on structural work. Brickwork goes up course by course, checked with a level and gauge rod so the courses stay even. Joints are finished as the mortar stiffens, and the wall is protected from rain and frost until it has cured.
At the end the site should be cleared, mortar splashes cleaned off the face and any damage to paths or lawns put right.
Bricklayer or general builder?
For a wall, a chimney or repointing, a specialist bricklayer is usually the right choice. For an extension or conversion you need someone who can also manage the roof, carpentry, plastering and trades that follow. Firms that started in bricklaying and grew into general building can do both, which saves you coordinating separate contractors.
About us
D & A Brickwork & Building is a family-run firm based in Bidwell, Dunstable. We have more than 26 years of building experience, our bricklaying is NVQ Level 2 qualified, we are members of the Federation of Master Builders and we are fully insured. Estimates are free and follow a visit to see the job.
We started as bricklayers and still do all our own brickwork, from garden walls and repointing through to full extension shells.
Based near LU5 or LU6? See our page for bricklayers in Dunstable.
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Questions people ask
Do bricklayers do small jobs?
Many do. Repairs, short garden walls, piers and repointing are common small jobs. Say clearly what you need when you ask, so the contractor can tell you whether it suits them.
What qualification should a bricklayer have?
In the UK a recognised qualification such as an NVQ in bricklaying shows the trade was formally learned. Experience and examples of finished work matter just as much.
Does a bricklayer need Building Control approval?
Structural work such as extension walls and some retaining walls falls under Building Regulations. Garden walls and repairs usually do not, but check if the wall is high or holds back ground.
Can a bricklayer match my existing bricks?
Usually, by matching the brick size, colour and texture and the mortar colour and joint finish. Reclaimed bricks are sometimes used when new ones will not match.