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Many homeowners are unclear on the difference between brickwork and blockwork which can make choosing the right option for your home confusing. To help clarify things, below is a summary of each type of masonry:

Blockwork

A type of construction that involves the use of blocks. They’re usually made from cement or concrete and are typically larger than standard bricks. They’re also hollow, making them a lot lighter. Blockwork is generally the cheaper option with a wide variety of choices.

Brickwork

A type of construction that involves the use of bricks. They’re mostly made from clay and are smaller than blocks. Bricks are also heavier and often more expensive than blocks

You can buy 1000 bricks for between £600 and £1,200. Our guide on the cost of bricks per 1000 looks at the different types and other tips in more detail. Alternatively, if you’re looking for the average cost of bricks per m2, you can expect to pay £80 per m2 for a garden wall.

In general, the average cost of bricklaying will be £280 per day of labour. For more information, advice and prices, check out our cost to build a brick wall guide.

While the above prices give a rough guide to the cost of bricklaying, the actual price you pay will be determined by:

• Size of wall - The smaller your new wall is, the less it’ll cost.

• Type of bricks - There are many different types of bricks, each with a different cost.

• Single or double skin - This refers to the depth of your wall. A single skin wall will be one brick deep, while a double skin wall will be two bricks deep. Generally, double skin walls will cost more than single skin walls.

• Quality of bricks - The higher the quality of bricks you choose, the more you’ll pay.

• Wall shape - Walls that are a more complex shape will have higher labour costs.

• Location - Labour prices fluctuate throughout the UK.

  To get a better idea of how much you can expect to pay for your brickwork project, simply request a quote. We’ll take down a few details about the job before contacting some of the best brickwork contractors in Orkney for you – then, just sit back and wait for them to send you a quote!

Bricks are typically a great choice as a construction material. However, they can start to deteriorate and decay as time passes. There could be a few different reasons for this, including:

• Moisture damage - Rainwater and leaks can cause bricks to decay and errode. This is particularly an issue if water is constantly dripping down your walls from overflowing gutters or leaks.

• Poor quality bricks - If low quality bricks are used, or they’re installed incorrectly, this can speed up the decay process and affect the structure of your home.

• Painting and sealing - As a material, bricks are designed to breathe (absorb and release moisture). By painting or sealing your bricks, this prevents the moisture from being expelled, leading to brick deterioration.

Remember, if your brick wall is starting to degrade or decay, getting it repaired as soon as possible is vital. This will prevent serious structural issues from affecting your home.

Yes, if your brick walls are starting to deteriorate or crumble, it’s often possible to repair the damage. Our guide on how to repair damaged bricks covers making repairs in more detail, however, below is a brief summary of the process:

1. Fix any causes of water damage

2. Remove the damaged or crumbling bricks

3. Remove the old mortar and clean the empty space

4. Cover the new brick with mortar and slide into the space

5. Add extra mortar around the brick, smoothing with a trowel

6. Regularly mist the mortar for three days while it sets

Brick repair can be a tricky skill to master, so unless you have DIY experience, we advise hiring a brickwork contractor for the best results. This is a great way of protecting your home from further damage and structural issues.

To find trustworthy brickwork companies in Orkney, you can use our free online search feature. Or, if you’d like us to do the legwork for you, simply request a quote. We’ll contact three of the best brickwork contractors in Orkney for you and they’ll be in touch with quotes.