Thinking about building a wall in your garden but don’t want to overspend?
Installing a garden wall is one of the most common landscaping projects. The great thing about garden walls is that they instantly add privacy, security and curb appeal to any outdoor space.
But there is a problem…
Most people take the leap without having a set budget in place. When renovating outdoor spaces, it’s all too easy for things to spiral out of control.
Recent research by Hiscox found that 2 out of 5 home renovators went over budget by an average of 20%
The good news is that budgeting for garden wall costs doesn’t have to be hard.
If you take the time to research what everything costs ahead of time and follow a few simple steps. Staying on budget and on track is easy!
From choosing a bricklayer to what materials to buy when building a garden wall. Knowing what everything costs will help you execute a smooth project without the hidden headaches.
Let’s take a look!
You’ll learn:
- What Does a Garden Wall Actually Cost?
- The Hidden Costs That Catch People Out
- How To Set a Realistic Budget
- Smart Ways to Save Money on Your Garden Wall Project
What Does a Garden Wall Actually Cost?
Ok, so how much does it cost to build a garden wall?
Prices will differ depending on several factors but in general, most UK householders should expect to pay anywhere from £650 – £1,500 for a standard brick-built garden wall.
This covers materials, mortar and labour.
Exactly how much it ends up costing you will ultimately depend on;
- The length and height of the wall
- The type of brick or stone used
- Whether your wall is single skin or double skin etc.
- Where you live in the UK
For instance – a simple garden wall that’s 4 metres in length and 1 metre high could start from as little as £650. But what if you wanted to build an entire 12-metre double skin wall? Then you’re looking at prices closer to £1,500+
Bear in mind prices quoted will also be higher in London and the South East. In fact, anywhere from 10 – 25% higher on average when compared to the rest of the UK. Prices in Northern England, Scotland and Wales will usually be 10 – 20% cheaper.
Oh and don’t forget – brick prices also differ depending on the type used.
- Concrete bricks are typically the cheapest material option coming in at around £40 – £50 per square metre.
- Facing bricks or wire-cut bricks fall in the middle costing between £55 and £80 per square metre.
- Reclaimed bricks and handmade bricks are normally the most expensive ranging from £90 to £300 per square metre.
Picking your budget will come down to personal preference – balancing style with durability and your overall budget.
The Hidden Costs That Catch People Out
If there is one thing nearly every homeowner forgets… It’s hidden costs!
The initial quote that you are given from a tradesperson will rarely be the final say on price.
There will always be additional costs that you either forget to mention or they fail to tell you about.
Here are a few that regularly come as a surprise to most people…
Foundations. You can’t build a wall without something to sit on. Concrete foundations cost on average between £40 – £80 per linear metre.
This will depend on ground conditions and if there are any underground utilities that need to be located.
Failing to include foundations in your budget will only result in your new wall not lasting very long.
Rubbish removal. Disposing of rubble isn’t free. In fact, you should factor in an additional £200 – £400 to budget for the removal of waste.
Whether you hire a skip or use a rubbish removal service. The cost will quickly add up.
Access and logistical issues. If your garden is difficult to access or the ground isn’t level. You can expect labour time to skyrocket.
Building a wall on a slope or curve will cost 20 – 30% more than building a standard straight wall.
Same goes for walls that require materials to be lifted in manually as opposed to a vehicle being able to park next to the works area.
Planning permission. Although most garden walls don’t require planning permission if built under 2 metres high.
You will need to apply for planning if the wall is next to a highway and over 1 metre high or any walls built over 2 metres high.
As long as your garden wall fits within local councils guidelines it won’t require planning permission.
Lastly… Extras! While cosmetic additions such as coping stones, decorative piers, rendering and painting are not always necessary. They do add to the overall cost if you choose to include them.
Budget for these from day one.
See also: Fiber To The Home: The Future of High-Speed Connectivity
How To Set a Realistic Budget
Alright – let’s say you know all of the costs involved with building a garden wall. How do you actually go about creating a budget?
It all starts with obtaining quotes.
Don’t approach just one local trader and expect that initial quote to be exactly what you end up paying.
Instead, you should be getting multiple quotes from at least 3 different tradespeople.
Not only will this allow you to see what the average price is to install a garden wall in your area but help weed out anyone that’s attempting to overcharge you.
Ensure all of the quotes include the same scope of works so you’re comparing like-for-like.
From there – it’s best to set aside an additional 10-15% on top of the quoted price. That way if any unforeseen problems arise you have something to fall back on.
Lastly – write everything down!
When creating your budget break it down into simple categories such as;
- Materials – bricks, mortar, coping stones, sand etc.
- Labour – bricklayers and labourers day rates
- Foundations – excavation costs and concrete works
- Extras – rubbish removal, delivery charges etc.
Not only does this allow you to visualise where your money is going but helps highlight where you can potentially save money too.
According to this guide by Airtasker UK, investing in a well-designed garden could actually increase your home’s value by 20%.
Investing in garden walls is a great way to add value to your home.
Smart Ways to Save Money on Your Garden Wall Project
Not wanting to spend too much money building a wall in your garden? Follow these simple steps and you’ll easily reduce the overall cost of the project.
Choose cheaper materials
Having already touched on this topic. Opting for standard bricks will always be cheaper than say; reclaimed bricks or handmade bricks.
They might look better but for the average garden wall. Standard bricks from a local bulk warehouse will do just fine.
Time your project right
Ok so this tip won’t help save you money instantly. But if you can plan your project for the months where bricklayers are less busy.
You may be able to negotiate a lower rate.
Spring and summer are always the busiest times for tradespeople. Try booking any work in late autumn or early winter when most people aren’t thinking about gardening.
Do some of the leg-work yourself
There’s no harm in doing some of the groundwork yourself before your chosen bricklayer arrives on site.
Clearing the land or excavating where the foundations will be laid. Are things that can be done quite easily yourself.
Less time on site for the bricklayer equals less money!
Keep it simple
Simple designs will always be cheaper to execute.
Think long and hard before asking your builder to curve your wall or add decorative elements that you don’t need.
For most gardens, a basic straight wall is more than enough.
Pulling it all together
Budgeting for a garden landscaping project really isn’t all that difficult.
As long as you know what costs are upfront and allow for hidden extras. You should have no problem executing your outdoor project without breaking the bank.
To quickly recap;
- Try and get rough idea of what materials and labour will cost in your area.
- Obtain quotes from at least 3 trade professionals and compare the findings.
- Add on an additional 10-15% to the quoted price as your contingency budget.
- Split up your budget into categories.
- Look for areas you can save money!
