Bricklayer vs Mason: What’s the Difference?

Have you ever employed someone to build a retaining wall, a patio, or some other area of your home’s exterior and asked yourself, what is the difference between a bricklayer and a brick mason?

Though both terms are often used interchangeably, there are two separate professions in the construction industry. Bricklayers and brick masons work with durable building materials (i.e., bricks, blocks, stone), but skill sets, tools, and specialisations do vary quite a bit.

We will discuss what a brick mason is, how it corresponds with the role of a bricklayer, and when you should hire one or the other.

What Is a Bricklayer?

A bricklayer is a skilled tradesperson who specialises in working with bricks and blocks to create walls, chimneys, partitions, and other structural elements. When people ask, what is a bricklayer, the answer usually involves: 

Placing bricks in mortar for walls and other structures

• Making sure everything is aligned, level, and spaced properly
• Reading and interpreting building plans
• Inspecting brickwork and repairing or repointing brickwork that has suffered damage

Brick layers are often hired for residential, commercial, and industrial projects, and they are an important part of the construction of structures.

If you are planning a project or thinking about expenses, understanding the cost to lay 1000 bricks can give a helpful ballpark for budgeting.

What Does a Brick Mason Do?

Now, let’s focus on the brick mason, a team that covers a broader skillset. A brick mason is not only experienced in laying bricks but also skilled in working with stone, concrete blocks, and sometimes tiles or marble. 

Let’s turn our attention to the brick mason. Brick mason is a more generic term. A brick mason is not just qualified to lay bricks but also has skills to work with stone, concrete blocks, and, at times, tiles or marble. So, at its core, a brick mason is a mason worker who specialises in brick but can do more complex and ornamental applications.

So, what does a brick layer do that a brick mason doesn’t? A brick layer will primarily construct common walls or partitions, while a brick mason may do these as well as:

• Build stone fireplaces or decorative facades.
• Build retaining walls using mixed materials.
• Construct paving and natural stone patios.
• Restore historical brick or stone structures.

Brick Mason vs. Bricklayer: Core Differences

Here’s a quick breakdown of how these professions differ:

Feature	Bricklayer	Brick Mason
Materials Used	Bricks and blocks only	Bricks, stones, tiles, and concrete blocks
Project Types	Basic walls, partitions, and garages	Fireplaces, stonework, facades
Training	Bricklaying certification (NVQ)	Broader masonry training
Finish & Detail	Standard	Structural + Decorative
Cost	Lower due to simpler tasks	Higher due to complex techniques

 

So, if your project includes decorative or mixed-material designs, a brick mason is often the right person to contact.

Training and Qualifications

In the United Kingdom, brick masons generally pursue more training than a simple bricklayer. A bricklayer usually completes NVQ Level 2 or 3 in bricklaying, while a brick mason studies masonry in general to greater detail and often studies stone cutting, stone restoration, or heritage work as part of their training.

Whether you need a person to complete a simple wall or a stone detail, making sure of their qualifications means that your project is done to a professional level.

Brick or Stone Worker: Who Should You Hire?

If your job includes just bricks or blocks, like building a small wall, extension or garage, then a bricklayer may be enough. However, if you are looking for someone to complete detailed work with a mix of materials, a brick or stone worker, especially a trained brick mason, is the best choice.

If your job involves just bricks or blocks, such as building a small wall, extension, or garage, then a bricklayer may be sufficient. However, if you’re looking for someone to complete detailed or decorative work with a mix of materials, a brick or stone worker, especially a trained brick mason, is the ideal choice.

For example:

• A bricklayer might build a garden wall.
• A brick mason could create a custom stone fireplace with brick and tile detailing.

Cost Considerations

Keep in mind, hiring a brick mason may prove more expensive than a traditional bricklayer. This is due to the specific materials, complicated techniques, and the finished material that goes along with masonry work. However, if you’re building a permanent or decorative feature, the quality is usually worth it.

To have a realistic idea about expenses, note that bricklayers charge per day, particularly if you’re weighing the difference between a bricklayer and a brick mason.

Tools of the Trade

A brick mason’s tool collection is more diverse than that of a bricklayer. Bricklayers primarily use trowels, spirit levels, and jointers for repetitive and precise cinder block assembly.

Brick masons may also use the following tools:

• Masonry saws
• Chisels and mallets
• Polishing and shaping tools
• Angle grinders

Every tool plays a role for the brick mason; these tools allow for fine finishes and working with other materials.

Brick Masonry in Modern Construction

Although bricklaying is mostly associated with housing sectors, brick layers will feature in far greater variations of projects, ranging from heritage restorations to deluxe landscaping. This versatility allows them to craft both elements (of builds) and designs. 

In fact, a good bricklayer will probably become a brick mason by learning new techniques and a greater, wider scope of brick masonry. Their versatility encapsulates how well respected and valued bricklaying is as a trade across the UK.

Mason Worker vs. Brick Mason: Are They the Same?

Not exactly. The term “mason worker” refers to a more general category of masonry practitioners. It can refer to practitioners in stone, tile, concrete, or even marble. A brick mason is a specialised subset of mason workers who are masters of brick masonry and usually mix it in multi-material projects. 

So if your job includes only brick, or if you combine brick with some other materials, a brick mason will yield a better quality finish as well as flexibility.

Conclusion 

Knowing the difference between a bricklayer and a brick mason will help you make better decisions when you hire for your next project. While both are important for construction work, they use different areas of expertise and take different approaches.

• Engage a brick mason when your project includes decorative or structural (or multi-material) items.
• Engage a bricklayer for more standard and repetitive brickwork.
• Decide based on skills, tools, and the scope of the detail required.

At the end of the day, when you’re looking for craftsmanship and aesthetics, a brick mason can enhance your property investment and its aesthetics, brick by brick.