Bricklayer

Bricklayers in South Africa: rates and requirements

Updated 4 November 2026

Bricklaying labour in South Africa costs roughly R 120 to R 200 per m² for a single-skin wall and R 220 to R 380 per m² for a double-skin wall, while basic work in the premium areas of Gauteng reaches R 300 to R 350 per m². Labour is usually quoted per square metre, so ask for the price per m² and the number of square metres. To find a bricklayer near you, make a request on BlaBlaPrice.

Rules and training to check

There is no statutory licence to work as a bricklayer in South Africa, so training, certificates and references are your main checks. A national home builders' programme runs a free 40-day bricklaying course, and the occupational certificate for brick layers includes a trade test. Ask to see the certificate or trade test result before you agree the work.

Season and timing

Summer runs from December to February and winter from June to August, so November is late spring. If a wall should be up before the summer months, book the bricklayer now and agree a start date in writing. For a job that runs into winter, ask how the schedule will be affected by the cold months from June to August.

How the work is priced and bought

Bricklaying labour is quoted per square metre of wall, while a bricklayer's pay is quoted per hour. The average hourly pay for a bricklayer is R 35.53 in 2026, and the middle 80 per cent of earners fall between R 18.18 and R 76.03 an hour. Ask whether the quote includes bricks, mortar and transport, and whether the bricklayer works alone or with a team.

What to write in the request

Say whether the wall is single-skin or double-skin, whether it is cement brick or face-brick, and how many square metres you need. Add your city, the schedule, the pay you expect per square metre or per hour, the years of experience you need, and whether you want a solo worker or a team. Mention if accommodation is needed for a job away from home.

Get offers through BlaBlaPrice for free. Describe the job in your own words in a chat, and the AI will ask for anything missing, look through sellers' websites and price lists in South Africa, and show the prices and businesses it found. Registered sellers reply in the chat with their own price, terms and start date. Your contact details stay hidden until you choose to share them, and you can send the request link to bricklayers you know by SMS, e-mail or WhatsApp. Start on the home page, look at construction and finishing works, or read how BlaBlaPrice works.