EPISODE 7. HOW MUCH DO BRICKLAYERS ACTUALLY EARN?? THE TRUTH!

[@knowitall3503]

My brother told me the same since 1986 - if your trowel isn't moving you're not earning. Tell that to firemen, nurses, doctors, teachers and general public sector workers. They still get paid, pissing down or not, also, they don't have to redo their work without pay if it's " not up to tolerances/or standard" judged by a non tradesman. You are spot on chap with every point.

[@roypartridge8313]

Done bricklaying for 25 yrs , self employed for all that time , apart when the Government changed the law so if we worked for a contractor for X amount of time they had to put you on the books . Lost more time in a wet summer than winter , Winter working you had No fingerprints , working with damp materials , Evey finger taped up because slits down to the bone , some days I could not open the car door to go home because fingers were so painful , ( No key fobs in them days ) . Summer wasn't much better , laborer spent a lot of his time pouring water over the stacks of bricks , even then you had to point every course , I could write a book , as to why any youngster should not go into the trade . My advice to anyone who wants to go into the trade , is Forget bricklaying , Train as an Electrician , or Plumber , or Even a Roofer . Brickies were looked down upon by those trades , yet what they do not recognise is the fact , THAT IF IT WASNT FOR THE BRICKIES ,THEN THOSE TWATTS WOULD NOT HAVE JOBS THEMSELVES .

[@petesy03]

Absolutely agree, have been a bricklayer for 38 years and wouldn’t recommend it to any young man, stay away from construction altogether, the greedy builders don’t give 2 hoots about you, the conditions are atrocious

[@advent3774]

@@oldchiefsmoke820 That’s where you pick your nose to much !!! Hasn’t Petese heard of work gloves! All the brickies I worked with used the old marigold type gloves one size to big if you could get them , these were especially good for wet works and footings where either wet or muddy , also keeps your hands soft , so you don’t ruin the wife’s stockings !!!

[@cfclazio621]

100% AGREE been a bricklayer for nearly 50 years my advice NEVER be a Bricklayer the industry has no RESPECT for us !!!!!!!!!!

[@lnk3503]

If you're getting into construction, do it as a chippy, only the chippys are allowed to become builders.

[@kidd7554]

What a nice change to hear somebody talking sense at last. With all the “ i can lay 1000 a day” lads posting stuff it’s a real change to watch someone being real. Hats off to you pal

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

Appreciate that dude. That’s a big reason why we started it. Too much fluff and bollox on here. I’m keen show what it’s actually like running a brickwork company, warts and all.

[@barkershill]

This is so true! My wife is a chartered accountant and does tax returns for several hundred self employed people including many people in the building trades ,so we know very well what they really earn , and yes we hear over and over again about all the “moving parts “ that you mention . Trouble is so many people like to boast and exaggerate their actual earnings when talking to others .

[@christopherbrooks8172]

Finally, an honest bricklaying video, very informative 👍, he is talking the truth, the good , the bad and the ugly days all explained in this video, I’m a bricky and the sums are spot on 👍

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

Thank you dude 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@maxi7423]

Earnt just shy of 42 last year in Reading as a self employed bricklayer. You're spot on with what you're saying. Subscribed bud 👍

[@kingofthetrowel1725]

Exactly same pal, I’m throwing trowel in bin it ain’t worth it, sick of the weather sick of the customers who can get it cheaper sick of it all, I’m going for a job at Aldi stacking shelves

[@Jim_Newlands]

What a superb channel this is! There is not another building channel coming close to offering the insight into the industry that you lads are! Binge watching all the stuff you have uploaded.

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

Thanks Jim. Happy watching mate, and all the best 🙏🏻

[@reggates5205]

Changed days indeed,I’m retired now but was on the trowel for 50 years .TAX !!! What is that,? I worked in central London mostly for a firm called HighTowers ,best company ever,ten years and never paid a penny.You have my sympathy.

[@benmaynard9505]

I was a pommy bricklayer, your so right, the weather, too hard So emigrated to Perth Western Australia, Bricklaying heaven 365 day's of sunshine a year, it does rain, but not much 😊 double brick cavity, brick internal walls, mostly single storey, now retired million dollar house on the beach very well off financially, Builders look after the good bricklayer's, free holidays in Bali. Free cement mixers for Christmas. Free fully catered golf days ( food,grog,strippers) rates very negotiatable on the really huge complicated houses. Retired 6 years moved interstate, still getting $ offers

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

I spent time over there mate

[@fordford4721]

Well said ,been doin it for 35 years , hard job ,and you earn every penny ,Topp man

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

Bricky’s Defo earn their money mate that’s for sure

[@SilverChaser22]

I am twenty years old almost 21 in a week. I want to get into the trade. Any suggestions? companies/union? where do I start?

[@sedulousdabbler5468]

Nice to see a brickie with a vocabulary making informed and erudite content. I’ve recently gone back on the tools, having retired from another career, working part time as a brickie/builder. I charge £200 a day here in Norfolk but many charge a great deal more. My good friend who is a kitchen fitter, currently charges £500 per day for his work. It will be interesting to see how the down turn in the economy effects wages. Your business videos will, I’m sure, be well received.

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

Really appreciate your kind words thanks, have a great weekend 👌🏻

[@Gates2Aion]

yeah my sisters ex install kitchens at newly made apartments, he was charging 500-1200 per kitchen and is making bank, and said it's hard to get into because you need links, he was able to get it because he knows the site manager and other people at the top.

[@benwilliams1172]

nice to see someone talking sence about subbing . I have for a long time tried to put 5% to 10% away every week to cover down time and enjoyed the forced time off instead of dreading it.

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

thanks mate. It is wise to stack a little when we can as there are so many factors to us earning consistent money

[@warrenbooth2103]

The last firm I worked for the houses were stone so this was 2016 and they dropped the price was 27£ a meter2 they dropped the price to 17£ a meter the block work was 10£ a meter they dropped that price down to 8£ a meter and that included the cavity insulation so I dropped out and went on the public garages ,kitchen extensions etc .

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

Cor that’s a big drop. Don’t blame you warren 👌🏻

[@darringodden7225]

That sounds about right Warren! It's all a load of tosh.

[@endaoreilly1582]

It’s not usually u hear d real story of a bricklayer but these lads r 100 present tellin d truth that’s the way a year rolls out for a Brickie .keep d videos goin lads love watching them

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

Nothing wrong with a Monday club if it's raining😉 I always cracked on in the Summer months and saved the penny's and take 3 months of in the Winter, could never be arsed with all that sitting in the T hut until 10 to see if it stops raining, better of fishing or warmer climates. My best advice is don't work for Subbys and find your own work though not everyone is suited to that, nice vid 👍

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

Yeh Stack in the summer then when the poor weather comes it doesn’t hurt the bank as much. Doing your own work is great, we love it but like you said not for everyone mate

[@kcnmsepognln]

Exactly! I finish some time before crimbo and go back March/April.

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

@@kcnmsepognln 👍

[@advent3774]

If you use Blackes building profiles you should be able to lay 2000 per day for 2 x bricklayers, still keeping plumb perps , and nicely pointed , me and my old partner used to lay about 2400 between us on side walls of detached houses, one side with a chimney stack , the other blank , Working 8 am to 5 pm . But once you get to the front walls , doors ,windows, Bay windows , patio doors etc your back to 1200 a day , 600 a day each per man. Note : Both non smokers, and didn’t play / look at phones half the day ! Even doing this we were still only about 30 percent above a normal day rate , rates were crap then , I can only dream of the rates bricklayers get now ! Retired now , 68 years old and feeling it !!!

[@jasonveale8560]

Bricks and mortar consistency out of silos not as good as yesteryear ! I’m 50 and no slouch, you also can’t get away with the same standard as the 1980’s boom ! Me and my mate done 2000 on a double garage wrap apart from the middle pier ( couple months ago ) friendly brick ! 700 bricks a day now is decent per man… I’m a honest man

[@evocarti]

Weather is always a factor but you can make money on day rate in London if you know how to choose a site to work on. I prefer to stay on facework but if it rains and you're on a site with loads of indoor blockwork to do then you won't lose time. That being said, I'm interested to hear your insight into running a brickwork company.

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

Loads of content coming about the day to day running of the business 💯 we have been fortunate over the years to have inside work on some projects, unfortunately not all though. A lot of our projects are bespoke new build houses so no where to hide when bad weather comes.

[@scottnever8732]

this is such an honest review, problem is you hear I earnt 1500 a day! yeah maybe for 2 days then you had a week off, I would say as a bricklayer you would be lucky to earn £35000 a year on site

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

Big sites I agree

[@seanwilson5147]

U can earn up to 90k a year

[@alexrichardson8620]

Great video looking forward to more!

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

Cheers Alex 🤙🏻🤙🏻🧱

[@johnnyfeher3412]

100% True! . I'm on day work, 125 a day, and to get a full week in very rare. Also being a paid up member of the Monday club don't help.

[@Changy_C]

No bricklayer should be working on day rate, you can earn 40k in 6 months no drama in the Midlands. Just have to turn in every day and lay 500 brick. Why more brickies don't look at the maths when they agree to day work is beyond me

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

I completely understand mate I was on price many times before started subbying. Our Lane is prestige high end so price work for bricklayers who want to slash them in and let the standard slip don’t work for us. Appreciate there are a lot of good price Brickies too. Majority of lads down south are on day work, can get price on big housing sites but Defo not our lane. Like you said if you want the money and are willing to graft there is money to be earnt. 💯

[@nickgroocock4087]

I agree with you ,if you are a good brickie and know your stuff and I have been laying bricks and stone work for nearly

[@nickgroocock4087]

40 years ,fuck the day work 200 a shift is garbage

[@aussie8114]

There are jobs where day rate is best. As long as that rate is decent.

[@Bruh01234]

40k in 6 months is mad

[@christophervane6428]

I'm down south and have plenty more days off than u say u do with cold and wet but don't earn less than 50 grand a year but that's on price. always been on price coz I'm a grafter don't think I could go on day rate now unless I'm getting old then might have to

[@dasnomaden]

We lose on average a day a week for weather and materials, so that's 52 days through the year right there. A lot of weather in the north west and you've just got to take it. In summer you can be 3 months without losing a day to weather but in winter you can have a few weeks where you've only got 2 days in. Then add another week lost through things you can't control like appointments, van service etc, you can try for weekends or late afternoons so you don't lose whole days but if you want those lost days back you've got to throw some Saturdays in. The point of high wages that we do get when we're in its because nobodys looking out for us, no sick pay no holiday pay and no pension.

[@robpickering6807]

Brilliant and honest as always.

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

thank you rob

[@stevothabasta2915]

Decent honest assessment mate ,no rose tinted glasses or 🐂💩

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

Honesty is king mate. Appreciate it mate 👌🏻🙏🏻

[@steveowens7006]

Been bricklaying 30 years , chased the money on sites. I now work for a landscaping company in Winchester, on a Self employed basis. Retaining walls , flint work and paving along with digger work. I get £220 pd and consistently achieved about £47k .

[@steveowens7006]

If it's light rain , I'll jump on some labouring or knock up concrete for footings , makes no difference to me I still get the same rate.

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

@@steveowens7006 fair play to you Steve that’s awesome mate. Most are waiting for the rain so they can leg it. Tip my hat to ya! There’s not many on day rate that earn that consistently earn that dough. 💰 merry Christmas mate

[@steveowens7006]

@@Levelupconstructionmedia FML today , trying to lay yorkstone paving and I'm soaked....going home.

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

@@steveowens7006 that sounds like home time to me 🤣

[@NM-tj8tq]

why is that the temperature has to be 3 degrees or above?

[@petesy03]

Been a bricklayer 38 years, I personally have found I’m better of working for a company PAYE, the reasons being my tax is paid, my NI is paid, I’m paid 28 days holidays a year, never rained off or with frost or wind, pension paid into, a full weeks pay every week , I find this evens out with self employed

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

I’m sure it does mate. It’s what ever works for you 💯💯

[@gooderspitman8052]

A lot of the old brickies never worked in the Winter, including my uncle.

[@paulrenwick6231]

You forgot to mention the possible days off with a bad back etc

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

I’ve had plenty of those, we had fella off last week with it

[@jackrussell9811]

your young ,you will not always have work ,heard of recessions ? iv been through at least 3 rates were lower than working in tesco , no stamp paid /no pension/no holiday pay/no sick pay ,been in the building over 40 years and it fucks your body and you get no compensation for that

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

You knows it

[@aussie8114]

Building trade need not bugger your body if you think. When times are good you put something aside for when times are tuff.

[@jacobs3031]

I always wanted to be an apprentice around 2010 there was no work for it in my area. Can you train up at a later age as I'm near 30 now. How much are new starters on thanks.

[@charlesquinn1526]

What’s the best way to learn the trade?

[@colleenmcfarland8298]

I wonder how you get in to contractors to just tender and price up a job how do you know what other subbies are changing without over or underpricing I've done alot of price but only got paid what the subbies paying ie 700/1000 18m2 what they actually recieve thanks for any help

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

Great question I remember thinking the same thing. Going to shoot a video on this very soon

[@mrmc4]

its ok working for main contractors but you wait months for money , so you have to fund paying your men then you argue over money all the time with them its not easy

[@princeatiadevey9854]

Good day sir, do u please employ foreign bricklayers ? I'm a Bricklayer in Germany and want to know about your requirements . Thank you.

[@lew_4713]

Can brickies earn really well on price in the summer

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

100% mate. Always money to be earnt on the price, especially on big housing sites with long runs and straight flanks 👌🏻

[@fordford4721]

The only way you will make money bricklaying is to be in charge ,subbing straight to the firm and laying aswell

[@-HCH-]

Quick question is regards with self employed and tax.. Been employed all my life, went self employed within the past 6months working for a sub contractor as a laborer. Was getting paid direct by the client and been told this is coming to an end and we're going CIS.. anyway round this? I do have an accountant( Not spoken to him as its new news) and not trying to swerve paying tax, Just id prefer my money upfront rather down the line? Cheers anyway

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

A good contractor should pay you regularly not down the line. We pay our self employed lads weekly with no week in hand.

[@summittaedae2323]

In Scotland our wet weather is horrific mate. I’ve been through one recession and I don’t know if I’ve got it in me to put up with the inconsistency of wages. Especially when we’re expected to valet the cavities. We get £500 no RI BONUS. But it’s impossible to not have one. Im a good clean trowel and I’m fukt off with how we’re getting treated.

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

Those r I are painful. Nhbc charge per r I so always issue them. Piss take mate

[@Mark-lu3tn]

Two weeks holiday in summer all the bank holidays into account aswell

[@Mnstrmnd]

Hi mate im going to do my test soon and i hope i pass and get my card.. if so.. Whats the best route to take to earn a fair bit of coin or atleast towards £200-£300 per day? Some say be self employed and hand out business cards in nice areas and some say go to a construction company.. it's a bit confusing to me.

[@seanwilson5147]

Make a decent gang and run a big site threw a contractor

[@BIGB-u8u]

Can you GI me some advice plz

[@cjolley2320]

Can you set up a limited company if you are a small gang

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

Yes mate will do a video on this very soon. I’ll do it on the pros and cons

[@JongeGeeven]

Go in to Plaster its in side a Hous no bad whether gretings from the Nederlands

[@bjjalltheway1276]

Industry standard is not 3 degrees and rising its 1 degree with the expectation to hit a minimum of 3. Had this argument numerous times with site managers, soon change there attitude when they are shown the NHBC website.

[@lmilne4859]

Nice video buddy.

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

Thanks a lot 👌🏻🧱

[@markgould9259]

They say don’t worry about what the subby earns that’s a rule , but you earn money when it’s dry and when it’s wet you earn Uck all and the job is seasonal , when the wall came down in Germany I went and worked in East Germany I was told don’t because the money was no good well what a load of rubbish I earned plenty of Deauchmarks , I was laying when the 714 was in thanks Maggie Thatcher and that’s another story lol Brickies

[@lerpa171]

At last an honest trowel 👏👏

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

There are some out there 🤣

[@eddiewilliamsmentalist]

honest and factual! this is the reality people, there always will and has always has been a minority that earn more etc. but this is the norm.

[@nigelsmith1198]

Lee, the blokes that work for you are they self employed.? If so how do you get over this 12 week thing where they are deemed ’employed’ and you have to pay pension/ holiday pay/ sick pay and all the other bollox.!!!

[@BIGB-u8u]

My dads 67 and been laying bricks since he was 15..I'm sure he only gets 500 a week.100 a day...he works with a self employed company which he gets the odd 2percent bonous every few years..its confusing...I feel the 2 guys who own the company r getting rich off my old man..he says he's happy with what he gets but I think he should get more..

[@Yourtruthmightnotbemine]

All costs have gone up you should ask more money.I’m getting 200 a day fitting kitchens.I used to only get 160 as a brickie and I always work indoors now and get 200 if I start at 8 or 10.30.

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

👏🏻 sound great mate. It’s ok asking for more as a bricklayer but depends on whether profit margin is there for the Suby

[@darrenback4850]

Day rate rubbish price work allday long subbies ripping bricklayers off paying them daywork

[@Changy_C]

To many lazy blokes want the big money but don't do the hours

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

Fact

[@lmilne4859]

Spot on.

[@brettmoloney2403]

I know Bricklayers earning 50 k plus, £300.00 to £400.00 a day on £600 & £15:00 I did footings for 5 years when I was younger, £300 & £10:00 I cleared £50 k The Sub-con told me his biggest earner was Kevin he often put 1000 block down in a day. I didn’t believe it. But the Ganger for the Groundworks told me that a lorry load of blocks 1200 was nearly laid in a day many times by Kev. Steve the sub-con told me Kev earns over a £100 k a year. He made £30 k off Kev a year. That’s Gospel.

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

I would hate to live in Kev’s body mate sounds very painful that’s a lot of blocks 🤯

[@nickgroocock4087]

What's that 3 average house footings a day ..,every working day...on your own ...amazing

[@nigelsmith1198]

I’d like to see the state of the wall…

[@advent3774]

When in my mid twenties up to mid forties I did footings , not all the time, just when they pulled a few new plots to start on , as a 2+1 gang we regularly layed 1000 blocks per day , I thought we were doing well until I read about Kevin above he must be the Terminator of bricklaying!!! Retired now , thank God , No more winters working out in the cold or wet , just do a few private jobs , when weather is good , pays for holidays etc .

[@bricky1000]

Good video that but top bricklayers like your mentioning aren’t earning 40k good bricklayers are on price work and earning double that at 200 quid a day the only person earning money is you it’s 300 bricks a day

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

Appreciate the comment mate, Depends where you are from and the type of work you want to do. Around our area price work few and far between. Especially if you don’t want to do big sites. Defo agree more money on the price

[@bricky1000]

@Thames Valley Group Ltd it wasn't a dig by the way I'm Lincolnshire and I can't get a top bricklayer for less than 250-300 purely because prices are so high and no one is interested in day rate

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

@@bricky1000 love the feedback dude. Honestly appreciate it, love seeing how it is in other areas. 💯💯🧱🧱

[@danielcolton3632]

Reality is you probably Lose at least 4 to 6 weeks a year that's not including your own holidays on top good vid pal

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

Yep that’s accurate mate. You used to be able to predict a cold winter but hot dry summer, not any more. We had very few lost days last year due to rain but lost 3 last week, crazy

[@fordford4721]

Wind off ,rain off ,pissed off ,any excuse for our gang for a day off , love it ,😂😂 40 years laying bricks on a price , great job

[@LM-oi3sf]

Historical restoration is where the big bucks are.

[@mrmc4]

strange how so many subbies slagging off the contractors but aint got the balls or the brains to be a contractor themselves , if its your own job you have to price , run and finance the job none of that is paid work , thats what profit is for most wont do it thats why they work on daywork , to have the pay packet on a friday

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

Very well said Steve. I’m doing a monthly expense breakdown video in the next few weeks. Show the reality of running a business. I’ll still get slagged off no doubt 🤣

[@CFCseventy]

Talking straight mate no bullshit

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

The only way! 🤙🏻

[@nickgroocock4087]

Yes if you work for a subby on day work then 200 a shift is what you will get .but I am 55 years old ,been laying bricks for nearly 39 years and mainly work direct to companies as a 2 and 1 gang and sometimes small developers and still earn well over 80 k a year.😀and there is all ways cash jobs which of course we don't include .Leicestershire' and Warwickshire'

[@MarkGould-e6j]

The main contractors earn more than the grafter who don’t lay a brick , back in the Eighties I was earning £200 a day no probs

[@lnk3503]

Bricklayers need a paying hobby, even making bricks by hand would work, you need very few tools to do it, and you can just fire them in the open.

[@MrJcatiavala77]

That's very true

[@hodgsonnn]

is 32 too old to learn the trade ?

[@darrenbrown3759]

Always remember. No lay no pay.

[@10catsrun]

Around $50 dallors an hr

[@darrenback4850]

Absolute rubbish bricklayers earn more than that u need to take handbrake off

[@knighthawk3559]

How much money do you spend on cocaine per month?

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

Not a penny in the last 6 years mate 😜

[@rosskerr9909]

£200 a day is for slaves ..I£1500 is the average int the west of Scotland ..£650 solid plus overs for any features

[@creativetag1]

Looks like we’re in for a few more 36+ degree days in years to come which wont help either

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

Aint no good for me im half ginger i burn in the shade in the winter

[@creativetag1]

Lol my apprentice is ginger haired too he’ll have had the factor 15 out today they snow is too bright for him 😂

[@billysmith6284]

$200 a day is poverty wage here.. horrible

[@advent3774]

You put dollars mate !

[@billysmith6284]

@@advent3774 dollars, euros or whatever it is very much below poverty line here. Our overlords have ruined our world..

[@RENE-vm8ce]

As much as it rains in that god awful wet country, there is no way you can earn much. You can survive off it but its not going to make you wealthy by any means.

[@andys.channel]

Day rate is pish

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

Some prefer it, some rather price work. Day rate more common down south in uk

[@dale1155]

Trowel ain’t turning, you ain’t earning 💰

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

Whs trowels got it right, Work Hard or Starve 🤣

[@markgould9259]

In London there is the Brick Federation run by wannabe gangsters who treat trowels like a piece of droppings it was dangerous but if you could look after your self they would send henchmen onto site to sort you out and often would take money off your wages to bin themselves and dock you for anything I’m retired now and do miss some ‘ Get That Wall Up ‘ slashing

[@Levelupconstructionmedia]

We are based near Reading mate, I’ve heard all about that company. Amazing how word about that stuff spreads. I’m partial to a “get that line up” 🤣

[@johnbryant6572]

You must have experienced Hightowers.and similar.i know iv e experienced it myself.

[@maxpower1797]

Try triple that rate mate.🤣

[@mrmc4]

id like you to show me a brickie on 600 a day

[@maxpower1797]

@@mrmc4 not hard mate, i layed 400 block today.

[@mrmc4]

@@maxpower1797 and how much a block do you get and is it for a subby It passed down today and I take it you didn't mix for yourself

[@maxpower1797]

@@mrmc4 silo muck mate, 1.60 a block. Rendered blockwork is fine to lay in the rain lol

[@mrmc4]

@@maxpower1797 so working for a subby and still need to be loaded out Iv heard all that shit for 35 years So your not good enough to run your own firm big site work is a shit standard and I'm sure you don't do 400 everyday

[@carrot3945]

What do you mean "we pay sub contractors" your company is a subby company. You take work from over all contractors, i.e sub contractors?

[@anthonyflynn3837]

Here he gose again mr no it all