Bricklaying in Switzerland: services, costs, and important differences
Bricklaying is one of the most important skilled trades involved in renovations, refurbishments, and construction projects around the home. Whether moving walls, creating openings, laying foundations, repairing facades, or building garden walls, the work of a bricklayer directly affects the stability, safety, and lifespan of a building. At the same time, prices and the scope of services can vary considerably. Effort, materials, accessibility, and regional differences play a major role. This overview will help you better understand typical masonry work, estimate costs realistically, and make informed decisions when choosing the right company.
How much does bricklaying cost in Switzerland?
Bricklaying work is very diverse, which is precisely why there are no flat rates. The costs depend not only on what is being built or altered, but above all on how complex the work is. The choice of materials, structural requirements, the situation at the construction site, and additional work can have a significant impact on the final price. The usual hourly rates, supplemented by project-specific cost factors, serve as an initial guide.
Standard hourly rates forbricklayers
For trained bricklayers in Switzerland, hourly rates are usually in the range of: CHF 85 to CHF 105 per hour
Depending on the job, bricklayers may work together with construction assistants or apprentices, which can reduce the overall costs somewhat.
For technically demanding work—such as load-bearing components or waterproofing—additional specialists such as structural engineers or construction managers are often involved. These services are billed separately.
Important to know: The hourly rate alone is not a reliable cost indicator—the total cost is always the decisive factor.
What do masonry costs consist of?
The final costs are made up of several components, which vary in importance depending on the project.
Material
Concrete, bricks, reinforcement, formwork, waterproofing, and special plaster systems vary greatly in price. High-quality or specialized materials significantly increase costs.
Workintensity
Whether it's a wall opening, foundation, repair, or new construction—every job requires a different amount of time. Cramped conditions, working in existing structures, or difficult substrates increase the amount of work required.
Construction sitesituation
Difficult access, lack of space for machinery, additional protective measures indoors, or work on higher floors have a direct impact on the time required and costs.
Statics andsafety
As soon as load-bearing components are affected, static calculations, supports, and increased safety requirements are necessary. This significantly increases planning and execution costs.
Demolition anddisposal
Demolishing walls or concrete incurs costs for machinery, containers, and professional disposal. Concrete demolition is particularly cost-intensive. Finishing work Smoothing, plastering, sealing, or preparing for further finishing work are often part of the job and affect the final price.
Frequent masonry work indoors
In the home, masonry work ranges from minor adjustments to major alterations to the building structure.
The following examples show typical types of work and cost ranges.
Wall opening orbreakthrough
Wall breakthroughs create open floor plans and more light. The cost depends on whether the wall is load-bearing.
Non-load-bearing wall: comparatively low cost, often in the low four-digit range.
Load-bearing wall: including structural analysis, support, beams, and restoration, often CHF 7,000–15,000 or more.
Structural analysis, protective measures, and disposal are particularly relevant to the cost.
Creating new interior walls
Different construction methods are used for new room layouts.
Lightweight construction/drywall construction:
approx. $20–35 per m², plus filling and surface work
Brick interior walls: significantly more expensive due to materials, foundations, and higher labor costs
Plastering and repairwork
Bricklayers level walls, repair damage, or renew plaster surfaces.
Standard plaster: from approx. $25/m²
High-quality, smooth, or special plasters: $30–40/m²
Complex substrate preparation increases the costs.
Waterproofing and moistureprotection
Damp basements, leaky joints, or water ingress are common problems in older buildings.
Joint sealing: $50–90 per linear meter
Basement or exterior waterproofing: several thousand dollars,depending on the scope Professional execution is particularly important here,
as mistakes can lead to high follow-up costs later on.
Bricklaying work on the building: facade, extensions, and shellconstruction
Work on houses is particularly challenging, as it must take into account weather conditions, structural stability, and often building regulations.
Repairing or replastering facades
Cracks, spalling, or damp spots impair the protection and appearance of the facade. Bricklayers renovate damaged areas or renew the entire facade plaster to protect the masonry in the long term.
Extensions and additions
Whether you need additional space, an entrance area, or a building extension, bricklayers lay foundations, build walls, and construct shells.
Close coordination with structural engineers, planners, and building authorities is crucial to ensure a durable connection with the existing structure.
Garages and foundations
Solid garages, utility rooms, or technical rooms require stable, frost-free foundations. Bricklayers ensure load-bearing structures and correct masonry. If you plan to install PV, wall boxes, or technical equipment at a later date, you should take cables and reserves into account at an early stage.
Bricklaying in the garden and outdoorareas
Bricklayers also perform important tasks in the garden—both in terms of design and structural integrity.
Garden and retaining walls
Natural stone walls look high-quality, but are labor-intensive. Concrete or block stones offer high stability, especially on slopes.
The foundation, drainage, and frost protection are crucial.
Foundations for gardenstructures
Pergolas, garden sheds, and carports require precisely constructed foundations. This is the only way to ensure that structures remain stable and level in the long term.
Bricklayer, builder, or general contractor—what makes the most sense?
A bricklayer is ideal for clearly defined individual tasks such as:
• Wall openings or new walls
• Plastering and repair work
• Waterproofing
• Garden and retainingwalls
As soon as multiple trades, extensive structural engineering, or complex coordination are required, a master builder or general contractor is often the better choice. They take on the planning, coordination, and responsibility for the entire project.
What do masonry costs consist of?
Thefinal costs are made up of several components, which vary in importance depending on the project.
Materials
Concrete, bricks, reinforcement, formwork, waterproofing, and special plaster systems vary greatly in price.
High-quality or specialized materials significantly increase costs.
Laborintensity
Whether it's a wall opening, foundation, repair, or new construction, each job requires a different amount of time.
Cramped conditions, work in existing buildings, or difficult substrates increase the effort required.
Construction sitesituation
Difficult access, lack of space for machinery, additional protective measures indoors, or work on higher floors have a direct impact on the time required and costs.
Statics andsafety
As soon as load-bearing components are affected, static calculations, supports, and increased safety requirements are necessary.
This significantly increases planning and execution costs.
Demolition anddisposal
When demolishing walls or concrete, costs are incurred for machinery, containers, and proper disposal.
Concrete demolition is particularly cost-intensive.
Finishingwork
Smoothing, plastering, sealing, or preparing for further finishing work are often part of the job and influence the final price.
Conclusion: Good masonry work saves money in the long term.
Bricklaying work forms the basis of many construction and renovation projects. When done properly, it ensures stability, safety, and lasting value retention. Clarifying the scope of work, structural analysis, and choice of materials at an early stage and comparing several quotes will help you avoid surprises and unnecessary costs. An experienced mason is sufficient for simple jobs, but additional planning and coordination are worthwhile for more complex projects. Choosing the right specialist company is crucial to the success of the project.
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