Bricklaying services

Businesses in this industry

Businesses in this industry lay, cut and repair bricks, and prepare sites for the construction of buildings and other structures.

These benchmarks do not apply to block layers, pavers or builders.

What are performance benchmarks

Performance benchmarks use information reported on tax returns for the 2021–22 financial year and are updated each year. This is the most current data.

The benchmarks show ranges of business income to business expenses. Use these benchmarks to compare your performance against similar businesses.

Key benchmark range

Total expenses to turnover is the key benchmark range for this industry. It is the most accurate when predicting business turnover.

You should fall within the key benchmark range for your annual turnover. If you fall outside the range for your industry, your business may have room to improve.

Check that you have reported all income and accounted for any trading stock used for private purposes. Some businesses can use accepted amounts as estimates for the value of trading stock used for private purposes.

2021–22 benchmarks

Key benchmarks for 2021–22

Annual turnover range	$50,000 – $150,000	$150,001 – $350,000	More than $350,000
'Total expenses' divided by 'Annual turnover'	29% to 48%	52% to 68%	70% to 83%
Average total expenses	38%	60%	77%

Other benchmarks

Not all expenses are reported by every business. Only use this information as a guide if it applies to your business.

Other benchmarks for 2021–22

Annual turnover range	$50,000 – $150,000	$150,001 – $350,000	More than $350,000
'Labour' divided by 'Annual turnover'	24% to 37%	30% to 44%	35% to 49%
'Motor vehicle expenses' divided by 'Annual turnover'	7% to 11%	4% to 7%	3% to 4%

For benchmarks for previous years, see Small business benchmarksExternal Link.

Input benchmarks

These input benchmarks have been developed in consultation with the:

• National Federation of Bricklayers and Masonry Employers Association
• Tasmanian Master Bricklayers Association
• Masonry Contractors Association of NSW/ACT
• Master Bricklayers and Segmental Paviors Association of Queensland.

They represent the industry norm and apply to bricklayers who:

• work directly with household customers
• are responsible for purchasing their own materials.

These benchmarks are current as at April 2015.

To give feedback on the usefulness of these input benchmarks, email us at BusinessSegmentPublishing@ato.gov.au.

Input benchmark guide

Use these benchmarks to compare and check your business performance against the bricklaying industry average.

Remember:

• All dollar amounts are GST-inclusive.
• Calculations are based on a standard brick 230mm long × 110mm wide × 76mm high.
• Prices charged may vary between states and regions.
• If you are in Tasmania and you need to manually wash bricks, deduct 100–200 bricks (depending on size of job) from the bricks laid per day benchmark figure.

Input benchmarks for bricklayers

Coverage rate – number of standard single bricks (230L × 110W × 76H) required per square metre	50
Coverage rate – tonnes of sand to make mortar to lay 1,000 bricks	1
Coverage rate – number of 20kg cement bags to make mortar to lay 1,000 bricks	8
Cost of materials – sand, cement and lime as a percentage of labour price charged to customer	10 to 15
Number of bricks for average job (for example, extension, garden walls or granny flat)	2,000
Days to complete average job (including one day for excavation) – tradesperson only	5
Days to complete average job (including one day for excavation) – 1 tradesperson plus labourer	4
Days to complete average job (including one day for excavation) – 2 tradespeople plus labourer	3
Price charged per 1,000 bricks – labour only (see note 1)	$840 to $1,260

Note 1: Add a further 10% to 15% to the labour charge if sand, cement and lime are supplied.

Sales turnover

Use these benchmarks to:

• estimate your income
• compare your income against the bricklaying industry average
• check that your records accurately reflect your income.

Remember:

• All dollar amounts are GST-inclusive.
• Prices charged may vary between states and regions.
• Calculations based on a standard brick 230mm long × 110mm wide × 76mm high.
• The number of bricks laid per day may vary due to job conditions, different application and finish, and whether the job is new or renovation work.
• Add brick charges if supplying bricks.
• In Tasmania, bricks laid and sales per year may be less due to the local process of manual brick washing. The quantities of sand and cement required per year will need to be adjusted accordingly.

Sales turnover income guide per tradesperson

Income guide	Tradesperson only	Tradesperson plus labourer	2 tradespeople plus labourer (group of 3)
Tonnes of sand purchased or used per year	80 to 120	120 to 160	160 to 240
Bags of cement purchased or used per year (20kg bags)	640 to 960	960 to 1,280	1,280 to 1,920
Bricks laid per day	350 to 600	600 to 800	800 to 1,200
Bricks laid per year	70,000 to 120,000	120,000 to 160,000	160,000 to 240,000
Price charged per 1,000 bricks - labour only (see note 2)	$840 to $1,260	$840 to $1,260	$840 to $1,260
Sales turnover range – labour only (see note 2)	$58,800 to $151,200	$100,800 to $201,600	$134,400 to $302,400
Average labour charge per day per person	$294 to $756	$252 to $504	$224 to $504
Jobs completed per year	40	50	67
Days to complete average job	5	4	3
Days worked per year	200	200	200

Note 2: Add a further 10% to 15% to the labour charge if sand, cement and lime are supplied.

Bricklaying services examples

This example shows a way to work out why your income is outside the benchmarks.

This example shows what to do if your income falls below the benchmark.