Brick and stone installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What brick and stone installation is

Brick and stone installation builds new walls, steps, veneers, walkways and facings from brick or natural stone, laid in mortar or set dry in the case of some stone walls. People call for it to build a new feature, cover a plain wall, or add a walkway or step that matches the house.

Signs you need it

  • You want a new walkway, step or garden wall that matches the brick or stone of the house
  • A plain block or concrete wall needs a masonry veneer to look finished and match the rest of the house
  • A fireplace, porch base or column needs brick or stone cladding that fits the existing design
  • A patio or walk needs a durable surface edge built with real brick or stone
  • A low wall or planter is needed on a slope, with stone set in a way that suits the landscape
  • A brick or stone project needs a bond pattern and joint style that matches an existing structure

What the pro does

  • Set out the layout with string lines and a level, and check the footing or base before any units go down
  • Lay the first course carefully, since it sets the level and alignment for every course above it
  • Spread mortar on the bed, butter the ends of each unit and set it to line, checking level and plumb as you go
  • Install ties, flashing and weeps where a veneer or cavity wall requires them, so water can exit the wall
  • Cut units with a masonry saw for corners, openings and edges, and fit stone pieces to the pattern
  • Tool the joints to the chosen profile, clean off mortar staining, and protect the new work while it cures

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Total area and height of the wall, veneer or walkway, and the number of corners and openings
  • Brick or stone type, since natural stone is priced and laid differently from manufactured units
  • The bond pattern and the joint profile, because complex patterns and tight joints take more time
  • Foundation or footing work needed before the masonry, especially on a new free-standing wall
  • Whether a veneer must tie to an existing wall or a frame, which adds fasteners and flashing work
  • Access to the site and the distance the materials must be carried or moved by machine

What a written quote should spell out

  • Area, height and length of each element, with the brick or stone type named
  • Footing or base work and its depth, listed separately if it is included
  • Mortar mix, joint profile, and the bond pattern to be used
  • Ties, flashing, weep details and any drainage components, shown on the quote
  • Cleaning and sealing of the new masonry, if included, with the product named
  • Warranty on workmanship and what the warranty excludes, such as natural variation in stone

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Will you set the first course on a proper footing or base, and how deep is it?
  • What bond pattern and joint profile will the wall use, and can I see an example?
  • How will you tie the veneer to the wall and keep water out of the house?
  • Do you use real stone or a manufactured veneer, and how does each look after five years?
  • How do you handle the variation in stone color and size across the delivery?
  • Will you clean and seal the finished work, and when?

Red flags

  • Builds a free-standing masonry wall on a shallow or no footing
  • Sets a veneer against a house wall with no flashing, weeps or air space at the base
  • Mixes stone and brick sources without checking the color and size match in advance
  • Skips the level and alignment checks on the first course
  • Uses mortar that is too hard for the masonry and the climate without explanation

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can lay a short, low, dry-stacked or simple brick border on a level base as a first masonry project. Call a pro for walls over a modest height, any veneer tied to a house, retaining or load-bearing walls, chimneys and fireplace structures, since those carry structural and water risks. Masonry units are heavy and can crush fingers, and cutting stone or brick throws dust and fragments, so wear gloves, eye protection and a respirator rated for silica dust.

Licenses and permits

Brick and stone masonry work is commonly done by licensed contractors, and walls that are tall, load-bearing, or tied to a structure often need a permit. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department before work starts.

Brick and stone installation questions

How long does a brick or stone wall last?

Well-built masonry can last a long time, but its life depends on the footing, the mortar, the flashing and the drainage. Ask the pro how they detail water control, since that matters more than the brick itself.

Can I add a stone veneer to my existing house?

Often yes, but the wall has to be checked for how it will carry the added weight and how the veneer will be tied and drained. Ask the pro to inspect the wall and explain the detail before any work starts.

Why does the stone look different from the sample?

Natural stone varies in color and texture from piece to piece and from one shipment to the next. Ask to see the full range from the same supplier and approve the mix before installation.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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