When considering boundary options for your property, two of the most common choices are brick walls or fences. Both can provide privacy and security, but which is the more cost-effective option? Here is an in-depth comparison of the costs of building a brick wall versus a fence to help you decide which meets your needs and budget.
Page Contents
Brick Wall Costs
Building a brick wall requires significant labor and materials. Factors that influence the overall cost include:
- Height and length of wall
- Wall thickness
- Type of bricks used
- Mortar selection
- Foundation requirements
- Labor rates in your area
On average, the cost to build a basic 6 foot tall, 4 inch thick brick wall is around $25-$35 per square foot. This equates to around $12,500 for a 50 foot long wall. Adding features like a concrete footing, decorative caps, or using specialty bricks can drive this cost even higher.
Brick Wall Material Costs
The bricks themselves account for a significant portion of the overall budget. Prices vary based on the material:
| Brick Type | Average Cost Per Brick |
|---|---|
| Clay bricks | $0.50 – $1.50 |
| Concrete bricks | $0.75 – $3.00 |
| Used bricks | $0.25 – $1.00 |
In addition to the bricks, other materials needed include mortar mix, rebar, drainage materials, and a concrete footing. Together this can add $3-$6 per square foot.
Brick Wall Labor Costs
A professional bricklayer charges around $35-$60 per hour for labor. Laying a brick wall is time intensive. A basic project may take 40-60 hours including preparing the site, constructing the footer, laying bricks, and mortaring. Complex designs and engineering can require even more hours. For a 50 foot wall, labor alone could cost $1,500-$3,500 or more.
Fence Costs
Installing a fence typically costs less than building a comparable brick wall. Average installed costs are:
- Wood fence – $15-$45 per linear foot
- Chain link – $15-$30 per linear foot
- Vinyl – $20-$60 per linear foot
- Wrought iron – $45-$85 per linear foot
This means a 50 foot vinyl privacy fence would cost around $1,000 – $3,000 total. Wrought iron would be $2,250-$4,250. Wood and chain link are the cheapest fencing options.
Fence Material Costs
Unlike brick walls, you aren’t paying for individual fence materials like boards or fence posts. Instead, most fencing contractors price projects based on the linear feet required and fence height. Package pricing accounts for all the lumber, hardware, post caps, gates and other materials needed for proper installation.
For specialty projects, you may need to pay extra for:
- Fence demolition and haul away
- Grading or clearing overgrown areas
- Reinforced posts for very long spans
- Custom gates, arbors or accent details
But in general, all main fence materials are covered in the contractor’s linear foot pricing.
Fence Labor Costs
When hiring a fencing company, the installation labor is also included in the project quote based on linear feet. DIY projects can save on labor, but require:
- Site preparation and digging post holes
- Securing posts in concrete
- Constructing panels and attaching to posts
- Finishing work like painting or sealing
This fence construction work may take 20-40 hours for an experienced DIYer on a small project. Hiring a professional ensures proper practices and no out of pocket equipment costs.
Brick Wall vs Fence Cost Comparison
To summarize, here are the average costs for a 50 foot long, 6 foot tall brick wall versus wood privacy fence:
| Project | Average Total Cost |
|---|---|
| Brick wall | $12,500 – $18,000 |
| Wood fence | $750 – $2,250 |
This comparison shows that in most cases, fences provide cost savings of around 50-75% versus building a new brick boundary. Only for specialty materials like wrought iron would a fence begin to approach the cost of a brick wall.
When to Choose a Brick Wall
Despite the higher cost, some situations call for investing in a brick wall:
- Long lifespan – Properly maintained brick walls last 50-100 years vs. 10-15 years for many fence types.
- Security – Solid masonry construction provides maximum privacy and protection.
- Fire prevention – Brick won’t burn or enable spreading fire between properties.
- Ornate designs – Brick allows crafting custom designs not possible with fences.
- Property value – Brick walls boost curb appeal and perceived home value for potential buyers.
Wealthy neighborhoods and commercial properties are most likely to use brick walls due to these advantages. Homeowners desiring maximum security, fire safety, and aesthetic appeal may also opt for brick over fencing.
When to Choose a Fence
For many homeowners, wood, chain link, or vinyl fencing provide a sufficient boundary at a fraction of the cost of brick. Situations when a fence makes sense include:
- Cost – Fencing provides comparable functionality at 50-75% less cost in most cases.
- Ease of installation – Professional fence installation takes days vs. weeks for a wall.
- Flexibility – Fences can conform to slopes and irregular borders more easily.
- Temporary barrier – Fences can be removed or replaced as needs change.
- Softer appearance – Wood, chain link, and vinyl have less imposing aesthetic than brick walls.
For budget-focused homeowners wanting basic privacy and pet containment, some form of fencing typically provides the best value.
Factors That Impact Total Cost
When estimating your actual costs, consider these additional factors:
- Site conditions – sloped or uneven terrain may increase materials and labor.
- Access – ease of bringing in equipment and supplies impacts project difficulty.
- Soil type – loose soil requires extra footing support.
- Permits – zoning or HOA regulations may dictate choices.
- Demolition – removing a current wall or fence adds expense.
Getting quotes from multiple vendors while clearly explaining your site parameters helps provide the most accurate cost estimate.
Saving on Brick Wall or Fence Building
If your budget is limited, consider these tips to reduce costs:
- Research material prices online before committing to a contractor.
- Schedule projects in the off-season when demand is lower.
- Accept a basic style fence over premium materials and designs.
- Build a shorter wall or fence than originally planned.
- Save on labor by handling demo of old structures yourself.
- Investigate used brick or fencing materials to lower material costs.
With smart planning, you can still achieve your desired privacy and security goals while minimizing costs.
Conclusion
Building a new brick wall typically costs around $25-$35 per square foot or $12,500 for a 50 foot wall. Installing a wood privacy fence runs just $15-$45 per linear foot, or $750-$2,250 for the same span. While brick walls provide unparalleled durability, security, and design flexibility, the significant price premium makes them impractical for many property owners. For most basic fencing needs, wood, vinyl or chain link delivers sufficient function at 50-75% less cost vs. brick construction. Carefully weigh the pros and cons of each option and get quotes tailored to your specific project requirements. This ensures you select the optimal boundary solution to meet your needs and budget.