How to read a bricklaying quote

A good quote is boring in the best way. It tells you what is being built, how much of it, what it costs and what it doesn’t include. If any of those are missing, ask before you sign, not after the first pallet of bricks turns up.

We write a lot of quotes, and we read plenty of other people’s when clients ask for a second opinion. These are the parts we look at first.

The scope, in plain words

The first lines should describe the job well enough that a stranger could picture it: a 900 mm garden wall in face brick, 14 metres long, with a soldier course on top. A vague scope like “brickwork to rear” is where disagreements start, because nobody can point to what was agreed.

Check that the quote names the drawings or site notes it was based on. If the plans change, everyone can see which version was priced.

The quantities and the rates

Walls are priced by area, retaining by length and fireplaces by the item. A clear quote shows the rate and the quantity, not just a total, so you can see what changes if the wall gets longer or a window opening moves.

Look at how openings, returns and piers are counted. Some builders deduct openings and some don’t. Neither is wrong, but you should know which one you are paying for.

What’s included

On a typical wall, we expect to see these written in, not assumed:

• Set-out, string lines and gauge rods

• Mortar, wall ties, damp course and lintels

• Control joints where the wall needs them

• Cleaning down the face once the mortar has cured

• Removing offcuts, pallets and packaging

If something on that list isn’t mentioned, it may still be included. Ask, and get the answer added to the quote.

The exclusions

Bricks, engineering, council approvals, skip bins and scaffold are the usual suspects. None of them are a problem if they are written down. They only become a problem when they turn up on the final invoice.

Bricks are the big one. Some quotes include them at an allowance per thousand, others leave them to you. An allowance is fine, as long as it says what happens if the brick you choose costs more.

Timing and payments

A quote should say roughly how long the crew will be on site and when the work can start. It should also set out the payment stages. Ours are 10% to book, progress payments at agreed stages and the balance on completion. Be wary of anyone who wants most of the money before a brick is laid.

The three lines worth adding

Who supplies the bricks, and who pays if a batch doesn’t match. What happens if the footing or slab isn’t ready on the start date. How variations are priced, and that they are agreed in writing before the work is done.

Agree those three now and you won’t have to argue about them later. If you would like a second opinion on a quote, send it through with a few photos and we will tell you what we would ask.