How Much Does It Cost to Build Brick or Stone Steps?
In examining the costs of stone steps and bricks Let’s begin by laying out the costs for the steps constructed with bricks and look into the costs of the installation of stone steps.
Garden Step Prices
| Job Description | Labour Cost | Supply Cost | Total Costs |
| Two Brick Steps to Doorway – One Metre Wide | £150 to £200 | £120 to £210 | £270 to £410 |
| Semi-circular Brick Step to Doorway | £300 to £400 | £140 to £240 | £440 to £640 |
| Three Patio Brick Steps – Three Metres Wide | £300 to £600 | £590 to £1,010 | £890 to £1,610 |
| Four Slate Steps – One Metre Wide | £300 to £400 | £430 to £530 | £730 to £930 |
| Four Portland Stone Steps – One Metre Wide | £300 to £400 | £600 to £700 | £900 to £1,100 |
| Six Cast Stone Steps – Two Metres Wide | £520 to £700 | £890 to £1,090 | £1,410 to £1,790 |
| Six Granite Steps – Three Metres Wide | £750 to £1,000 | £1,510 to £1,710 | £2,260 to £2,710 |
What are the Supply Costs for Garden Steps?
Now we’ll look at the costs of supply or standalone/material costs for stone steps and bricks. These costs do not include the cost of labour and any other charges (e.g. garbage removal).
We would like to remind you that our average cost of supply includes the price of any treads for the bullnose and risers, as well as mortar, and infill blocks in the event that they are needed.
These costs are especially important to be aware of if you intend to build stone or brick steps on your own, as the prices are based on what you would have paid to a provider for the required materials.
But, if you don’t have the appropriate devices and tools, you’ll have to add these into the total cost.
Additionally, although you’ll likely save money by constructing brick or stone steps by yourself, you must only do it if you possess the necessary abilities and know-how and are aware of all the required safety steps that must be followed.
The price of supplies for stone and brick steps is as follows…
Brick steps:
- 100 brick stairs (Two steps leading to the doorway, one metre of width) from £120 to £210
- 130 brick stairs (Semi-circular step leading to the doorway) From £140-£240
- The brick step is 540 (Three patio steps that have the width of three meters) From £590 up to £1,010.
Stone steps:
- The steps are four slates (one metres wide) from £430-£530
- Four Portland stone steps (one one metre wide) From £600-£700
- Six stone steps made of cast (two meters wide) from £890 to £1,090
- Steps in granite (three millimetres wide) from £1,410 to £1,610
What are the Additional costs of Installing Steps?
If you’re planning to have stone or brick steps built to your house It could be the perfect time to consider having several other projects completed in the same manner. Let’s take a look at some pertinent examples.
Paint the Exterior of House
Painting the exterior of your house is an excellent option to give it an overhaul. It takes anywhere from one up to two days for the front of a home to be painted, this puts the total cost of labour at around £100 or £600 (it is about £100 or £300 each day).
Wall paint for exterior walls tends to range in the range of PS1 or PS13 each litre. The overall cost would depend on the wall’s size.
New Front Door
Another method to enhance the exterior appearance of your house is to have you entrance door replaced. These prices will vary primarily depending on the type of door that is used.
New Driveway Cost
It is possible to consider getting a new driveway constructed. In the lower part of the rates offered driveways that are made of tarmac will be priced between £1,200 and £5,500 while you’ll require an estimated budget of between £2,400 to £7.200 to construct an asphalt driveway or £1,500 to £7.200 to install the resin drive.
If you’re ready to shell out more money, you can think about a concrete driveway, with costs that start at around £2,700 before the highest point being approximately £14,500. Additionally, it will cost approximately £2,100-£9,000 to get a block-paved driveway put in.
Tradesmen Costs For Garden Steps Installation
We’ll then take a look at the costs of labour associated with building bricks and stone stairs. This does not include the cost of equipment and other expenses such as garbage removal.
The typical cost for labour in the stone or brick steps made is between £150-£200 per day. The hourly cost is around £15 to £20 per hour.
Of course, various tasks will require different time as compared to other jobs (we will discuss more of this in the following section) Therefore, the labour costs for the earlier examples varied from £150 to upwards of £1,000.
The cost of labour may differ based on factors like the accessibility and state of the workplace but most important of all, the location you reside in as prices for labour differ in different areas of the UK.
For you to get an idea of the way they differ…
In general, the rates of employment are higher than the average for:
- London
- Southeast England
The majority of labour rates are lower than the national average:
- Northern England
- Scotland
- Northern Ireland
How Long Does it Take to Set Up Steps?
The time required to construct stone or brick steps will be based on the type of structure, the amount of bricks or the size of the space and the kind of steps, as well as other things.
Based on the scenarios we looked at earlier, here’s the length of time the jobs will run…
Brick steps:
- 100 brick stairs (Two steps leading to the doorway, one metre of the width) 1 day
- 130 steps of brick (Semi-circular step leading to the doorway) The time frame is between 2 and 3 days.
- Brick steps 540 (Three patio steps that have the width of three meters) 2 days
Stone steps:
- Four slate steps (one metre wide): 2 days
- Four Portland stone steps (one one metre wide) Duration: 2 days
- Six stone steps made of cast (two meters wide) Five days
- 6 granite stairs (three millimetres across): 3.5 days
Timeframes of Installing Garden Steps
| Job Description | Duration |
| Two Brick Steps to Doorway – One Metre Wide | 1 day |
| Semi-circular Brick Step to Doorway | 2-3 days |
| Three Patio Brick Steps – Three Metres Wide | 2 days |
| Four Slate Steps – One Metre Wide | 2 days |
| Four Portland Stone Steps – One Metre Wide | 2 days |
| Six Cast Stone Steps – Two Metres Wide | 5 days |
| Six Granite Steps – Three Metres Wide | 3.5 days |
Types of Garden Steps
There are, naturally, different types of stone or brick steps you could choose to install in relation to the material used. In this article we’ll explore the different types of steps in greater detail, taking an examination of their advantages and disadvantages as well as their prices for supplies.
Slate Steps Cost
Stone steps made of slate are usually made in Wales as well as the northwest. Slate steps are non-slip, so they’re a good choice for those who enjoy the outdoors.
Additionally slate is a long-lasting kind of stone. Step threads made of slate cost around £60 per linear metres and slate step rises cost at about £40 per linear millimetre.
Marble Steps Cost
One option that is expensive and fancy is marble. Marble steps are not only visually appealing, they make for gorgeous garden stone steps; they also have toughness and strength, as well as being easily cleaned.
The main drawback to step steps made of marble is they begin with about £70 per linear millimetre for step threads and £50 per linear millimetre in the case of step risers.
Pros
- Visually attractive
- Structural hardiness
- Easy to wash
Cons
- This is not a cheap method of creating stone steps
Granite Steps Cost
A different option would be granite, which starts at approximately £45 for linear metres of step threads. Granite step risers start from £35/lm.
Granite steps are tough, they have a pleasing look, and are easy to seal or repair, and they are also renowned for being scratch-, heat- and stain-resistant. However due to their porousness the granite steps need to be sealed at least once a calendar year (on average)
Pros
- Durable
- Great appearance
- Resistant to scratches, heat, and stains
Cons
- Porosity
Cast Stone Steps Cast
An alternative is to use granite. It starts at approximately £45 for linear meters of step threads. Granite step risers start with £35 for a linear meter.
Granite steps are tough and attractive. They offer a pleasing look, and are easy to repair or seal and are also renowned for their scratch-, heat and stain-resistant.
However because of their porous nature, steps made of granite require sealing every year (on an average)
Pros
- A variety of styles and colours the offer
- Slip-resistant
Cons
- Not as detailed as natural stone steps.
- May look artificial
Common Brick Steps Cost
Another option is the common or regular bricks. These bricks aren’t likely to be as sturdy as other kinds. This is why they’re less probable to use for outdoor steps. The cost of 10 common bricks is between £55 to £85 and they are the cheapest option.
Pros
- Cost-effective
Cons
- Not suited for outdoor use.
- Not the most robust kind of bricks.
Handmade Brick Steps Cost
Costing between £85-£115 for 100 bricks, hand-made bricks are among the cheapest options to have brick steps built, even though they are more expensive than regular bricks. The name suggests that these bricks are made by hand.
Pros
- It’s not expensive as a way to build garden brick steps
- A good option if you are looking for an ‘rustic’ style
Cons
- It is more difficult to obtain than bricks of standard size
Other Types of Brick/stone Steps
While we’ve discussed some of the most well-known types of steps made from brick or stone, there are other options worth looking into.
Here are a few instances…
Alternate Stone Steps:
- Limestone
- Yorkstone
- Sandstone
- Portland
Alternative Brick Steps for Building:
- Reclaimed Bricks
- Engineering
- Facing Bricks (e.g., Wirecut)
What is the cost to Remove Stone/Brick Steps?
It is possible that you will one day choose to have your steps made of brick or stone removed. It could be that you’d like them replaced with better quality steps, or perhaps to install an alternative in their space (e.g. an outdoor porch) or just to remove them with nothing at all.
It is possible to pay around a hundred or so pounds for these steps to be removed and this will cover the labour costs and waste removal costs (e.g. employing a skip).
Based on the type of material that you are using, you’ll be in a position to dispose of stone or brick steps as well as other items which need to be taken into a skip, or the Waste management center. If you’re not sure it is best to contact the local skip rental firm or waste management company.
FAQs
Q: Can you build brick steps without mortar?
A: Yes, it is possible in some circumstances. One way to do so is with concrete pavers, flagstones or bricks. Bricks or concrete pavers must be laid in sand on a firm and flat based.
They must also be anchored using an edging. This method is referred to as flexible paving and is relatively straightforward. Repairs are easy too.
Q: How do you build stone steps on a slope?
A: There are several steps to take when thinking about how to build brick steps.
- Measure the height of a slope from a level such that you allow for 16 inches per thread and 6-7 inches per riser:
- Dig into the slope. Do this in such a way as to extend an almost level position back around 18 inches and 36 inches in width.
- Dig four to six inches down and fill using crushed gravel. Fill right below the grade.
- Lay wide stones, filling all 18 inches of depth. Stones should not be pieced for the threat depth.
- Do not use any more than two stones across the steps 36 inches in width. If the stones were too small, they would rock, settle, slant and tip. The stones would be fitted with the rough side facing down. Dig out for any irregularities.
- Then dig back at the height of the step’s top.
- Lay the second set of stones (no more than two). Make sure you don’t establish a running joint.
- The front edges of said stones should overlap the backs of the stones you first laid down by one to two inches.
- Considering that the back edges are going to be covered, the stones should be said in a way such that no rough or uneven edges are present
- Shape the stones as necessary – it is best to start with stones that are flat and rectangular where possible.
- Now, dig out for the third step. As you did previously, lay these stones such that you avoid any running joints. Do not shorten the depth of the external threads to meet the slope. Anything under sixteen inches is difficult to work with.
Of course, how you exactly build brick steps or stone garden steps will depend on a variety of factors. The above approach is just one example that would be suitable in some cases. Always check with the manufacturer’s guidance before proceeding.
Q: What can I do to maintain brick and stone steps?
A: There are several ways you can do this. For one, you should inspect the masonry once a year (or whenever else deemed necessary).
Look out for things like water damage, plant growth, mould and mildew, and keep an eye out for bowing and bulging as well as cracking and crumbling. Issues should be addressed when quickly.
Other tips to consider are cleaning the masonry with a mild and appropriate detergent, using bleach to get rid of mould and mildew, unclogging weep holes and applying the sealant to protect the step masonry against water damage. You should also consider repointing brickwork or stone.
Q: What are Half Moon brick steps?
A: These brick steps essentially form a semi-circle or ‘half-Moon’ shape. Each step is rounded with the lower the step, the larger/wider they are. Each of the lower steps ‘consumes’ the one above to form the overall half-Moon shape.
Q: What are Indian stone steps?
A: Indian sandstone steps feature an elegant and rounded bullnose edge as well as provide a strong aesthetic appearance. These steps are available in various natural colours.
