Brick and block repairs and small builds
Take on garden walls, letterboxes, brick repairs and small block work for local homeowners.
- A$3k-12k
- Part-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A one-person masonry service doing smaller jobs: building and repairing brick and block garden walls, fence piers, letterboxes, planter boxes, barbecue areas, and fixing cracked or damaged brickwork and chimneys.
Your first three steps
- Check your state's licensing body to see what licence or qualification you need for the size of jobs you plan to take
- Get an ABN, public liability insurance and a basic kit of trowels, levels, mixer and scaffold or trestles
- Introduce yourself to local real estate agents and builders, and photograph your first jobs for a simple portfolio
Who pays
Homeowners, landlords, real estate agents and small builders who need quick, tidy repairs or small additions.
How it makes money
Fixed quote per job or a day rate, plus materials. Repeat work comes from agents, landlords and word of mouth.
Skills that help
- Bricklaying and blocklaying
- Measuring and quoting accurately
- Reading simple plans
- Physical fitness and care with finish
Watch out for
- Licensing differs by state and territory, and there are usually value limits on unlicensed work, so check before quoting
- Public liability insurance, and workers compensation once you hire anyone
- Walls and structures may need council or engineering approval, check with the local council
- Safe working at height and silica dust from cutting masonry, use proper dust control and protective gear
- Weather delays and material price changes can affect fixed quotes
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: brick and block repairs and small builds
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a small bricklaying business?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on your tools, vehicle, equipment and insurance. Your costs will also vary with what you already own and the jobs you plan to take on.
Do I need a licence for brick and block work?
Licensing differs by state and territory, and there are usually value limits on unlicensed work, so check before quoting. Also check with your local council whether walls and structures need council or engineering approval.
How much can a solo bricklayer earn on small jobs?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on how many jobs you win, their size and how you price them. Weather delays and material price changes can affect fixed quotes.
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