Garden Wall Builders

Garden Wall Guide

Free-standing walls are an attractive and robust garden feature, but they need to be carefully designed to the right specification. Free-standing walls do not have much stability in relation to horizontal forces, particularly wind, therefore their design involves more than just deciding on the length and height required. A half-brick or single-skin wall is not considered stable above 725mm high, so single-skin brick walls are really just for ornamental use, such as borders. Free-standing walls which are one brick thick can be used in gardens up to a maximum of 1925mm (1075mm in very exposed locations). Garden walls must be built on a solid foundation, usually a concrete strip footing, which consists of a trench filled with mass concrete.

A damp-proof course is not essential on a free-standing wall but can help prevent the upward migration of groundwater. It uses a layer of impermeable material, which is supplied in rolls to suit different widths of brickwork and laid to a course 150mm or more above ground level. Although not always necessary, a damp-proof course costs relatively little and can help protect the brickwork from rising damp. Piers are recommended to strengthen the ends of walls of half-brick and one-brick thickness and may also be suitable for supporting a light gate.

Increasing the thickness of a garden wall will improve its wind resistance, but a straight solid wall is still not very efficient because of its narrow base. In very exposed regions, a curved or zigzag wall may provide greater resistance to horizontal forces. Garden walls longer than 10m require movement joints to control expansion, effectively breaking the wall into discontinuous lengths to prevent cumulative stress that can cause cracking due to movement or instability.

Garden Wall - DIY or Bricklayer?

For larger or more complex garden walls, you may want to hire a bricklayer to carry out the work. However, small, purely ornamental walls of no more than 750mm high and 5m long may be suitable for someone with the necessary DIY skills and careful planning. Avoid attempting to build a high wall or load-bearing wall unless you have the appropriate skills and knowledge, and consider seeking advice from a bricklayer before starting. Bricklayers carry out the construction of buildings and structures using bricks and should follow appropriate safety procedures while working. The construction of brick retaining walls or substantial free-standing walls can involve additional structural considerations, so hiring a bricklayer may be preferable if you are unsure about carrying out the work yourself.

Garden Wall Costs

Many builders base their quotes on typical tradesperson rates of around £150 per day, with a labourer, if required, costing around £100 per day. Example project costs for a 5 metre wall with a gap for a gate, including foundations, bricks, copings and tipping or skip hire, would be around £900-£1,200. If you have an existing wall which needs to be removed and you can reuse the bricks, the cost may be higher due to the additional labour involved. Some bricklayers will also charge per brick at around £400 per 1,000 bricks laid. Retaining walls for gardens built on sloping ground, which are used to hold back a bank of earth or similar, will usually cost more.

Choosing a Bricklayer to Build a Garden Wall

In the first instance, you can ask family, friends or neighbours for recommendations when looking for a local bricklayer. Alternatively, contact a number of local contractors, ask to see examples of previous work they have carried out and check feedback from previous customers. You can also use the free quote service on this site to get in touch with local builders. Click the "post a job" button to get started.

You can ask for testimonials or references from previous clients, ideally from customers who have had similar work carried out, so you can see examples of completed projects. Ask for a written quote and ensure that it includes materials, labour and clean-up. Rather than choosing based on price alone, compare the quotes, what's included and examples of previous work before deciding which bricklayer is suitable for your project.