Subcontract Bricklaying Crew for Builders

Home builders, general contractors, renovation firms and some commercial developers.

Paid per brick, per square foot or per day by the contractor, with materials usually supplied by the builder. More crew members mean more walls built each week.

• Experienced bricklaying
• Reading plans and setting out
• Managing a small crew
• Pricing and invoicing

• Trade certification or journeyperson status may be needed in your province, so check with the apprenticeship authority
• WCB/WSIB coverage is often required for subcontractors and crew, and clearance certificates may be requested by builders
• Commercial general liability insurance, which contractors often ask to see
• Slow-paying contractors can strain cash flow, so agree payment terms in writing
• Construction slows in cold months, so plan for seasonality
• Tools, scaffolding and a work vehicle add to costs

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on your tools, scaffolding and work vehicle, plus insurance. The final figure varies with how much of this equipment you already own.

Estimates put monthly revenue at typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on how much work you win and the size of your crew. Slow-paying contractors can strain cash flow, and construction slows in cold months.

Check with your provincial apprenticeship authority whether trade certification or journeyperson status is needed. Also check WCB or WSIB coverage and any clearance certificates builders request, and commercial general liability insurance, which contractors often ask to see.