Brick walls, repairs and garden brickwork

Homeowners, landlords, strata managers and real estate agents who need repairs or improvements.

Quoted price per job covering labour, materials and a margin on materials, or a day rate for repair work.

• Bricklaying and repointing
• Quoting and measuring jobs
• Customer service
• Matching old brick and mortar

• Licensing or registration thresholds, which depend on the state and the value of the job, so check with your state's licensing body
• Council approval for some walls and fences, and neighbour or boundary issues, so check before quoting
• Retaining walls and structural work may need engineering or a building permit
• Public liability insurance and any home warranty or insurance requirements for jobs above set values
• Underquoting materials and time on small jobs
• Repointing older brickwork: check for asbestos or lead in old materials

Startup costs are typically around $2,500 to $10,000, depending on the tools, equipment and materials you need to buy. These are estimates, and underquoting materials and time on small jobs is a common trap.

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on the size and number of jobs, how well you quote and the hours you work. Some people start at around 15 hours a week.

Check licensing or registration thresholds with your state's licensing body, as they depend on the job value. Also check council approval for walls and fences, whether retaining walls need engineering or a permit, insurance, and asbestos or lead in old materials.