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If you’re building a wall, repairing a chimney, or laying out a garden feature, the bricks and concrete blocks you choose will affect strength, appearance, and long-term maintenance. Think of these materials as the bones of your project: pick the wrong kind and the whole structure can feel wobbly, expensive, or just plain ugly. Picking right saves you time, money and headaches.
There are specialist builders’ merchants, national DIY chains and niche retailers that each have pros and cons. Below I list well-known UK options and what they’re best for, including stores referenced in the product sources you might already have seen online.
Expert Electrical may not be the first name that leaps to mind for basic bricks, but they stock site products like the Unicrimp Concrete Inspection Pit and other accessories that are essential on installation days. If your job needs inspection chambers, drainage cells or electrical access boxes fitted into concrete work, checking a supplier like Expert Electrical can save you a second trip to the builders’ merchant.
Nordic Nest is best known for home textiles and interiors, so they’re not a primary source for bulk masonry materials. However, they’re worth a look if you’re finishing interiors or renovating and want complementary products—think high-end tiles, rugs and soft furnishings to pair with a reclaimed brick feature wall once it’s done.
Wickes is a go-to for homeowners and tradespeople. They stock a wide range of facing bricks, engineering bricks and concrete blocks. Delivery options, on-site collection and simple online ordering make Wickes a practical choice for smaller-to-medium jobs where convenience matters.
B&Q tends to cater well to weekend projects. You’ll find standard bricks, paving and basic concrete blocks. If you’re doing a garden wall or a small extension and you don’t want to order pallet quantities, B&Q is a sensible first stop.
For volume work and trade-quality ranges, Travis Perkins and Jewson are traditional favourites. They sell a wide selection of clay bricks, reclaimed units, and dense concrete blocks in pallet quantities. Their technical advice and trade accounts help when you’re managing a larger build.
Screwfix offers fast collection and a good range of site essentials. Selco Builders Warehouse is trade-focused and often has competitive pricing on bulk orders. Both are good when you need same-week materials and straightforward pricing.
Homebase can be useful for small projects, and independent yards or local brick suppliers can surprise you with reclaimed bricks, speciality colours and personalised advice. If you want a particular patina or matching bricks for a repair, local yards are worth a visit.
Bricks aren’t one-size-fits-all. Let’s break down the common types so you can match performance to the job.
Facing bricks are all about looks and long-term weather performance. They come in different colours and textures and are used on external walls where the appearance matters. If your project is a visible facade, invest in facing bricks that match the house character.
Engineering bricks are the tough workhorses. They have high compressive strength and are often used below ground, in damp-prone areas, or where structural demands are high. You’ll see these used in foundations, retaining walls and damp-proofing applications.
Reclaimed bricks add immediate character and age that’s hard to replicate. Handmade bricks have irregular edges and textures that suit restoration projects. Both tend to be pricier and may need sourcing from specialist suppliers or reclamation yards.
Concrete blocks are efficient to lay and economical for larger walls. They come in several varieties depending on density, size and thermal performance.
Dense blocks are heavy and strong, good for structural walls where load-bearing capability is required. They have better acoustic performance and are often used in ground-floor walls and foundations.
Lightweight blocks (often aerated or with added insulating materials) reduce load and improve thermal performance. They’re popular when energy efficiency matters and when speed of build is important because of their size and weight advantages.
Cavity blocks are used in two-layer walls to improve insulation and moisture control. Special-shaped lintel or corner blocks make construction quicker and neater around openings.
Understanding sizes in inches makes ordering and planning easier on site. UK standard clay brick is approximately 8.5 inches long by 4.0 inches wide by 2.6 inches high. Concrete blocks commonly used in the UK are roughly 17.3 inches long by 8.5 inches high by 4 inches deep for the thinner varieties, and 17.3 inches by 8.5 inches by 8.5 inches for 8-inch structural blocks. These are approximate and can vary slightly by manufacturer—always check before you order.
Getting quantities right avoids wasted money and delays. Here’s a straightforward method using imperial units so you can size your order before you ring the merchant.
A standard brick face (length x height) is about 8.5 inches by 2.6 inches, giving around 22 square inches per brick. One square foot is 144 square inches, so you’ll need roughly 6.5 to 6.7 bricks per square foot. Round up for mortar joints and wastage—practically, order about 7.5 bricks per square foot to stay safe on a typical wall.
A common concrete block face is about 17.3 inches by 8.5 inches = roughly 147 square inches, just over 1 square foot per block. That makes estimating simple: allow one full block per square foot for the face area, and add about 5–10% extra for breakage, cuts and corners. For thicker structural blocks you may need fewer, but you’ll definitely need to account for the block depth when calculating materials like mortar or insulation.
Prices move with supply, region and quantity, but here are ballpark ranges to help you budget. These are typical retail figures—trade accounts and pallet orders often come in cheaper.
Facing clay bricks generally range from about £0.50 to £1.50 each depending on finish and rarity. Engineering bricks and specialist heritage bricks push higher in price. Reclaimed and handmade bricks can be significantly pricier because of sourcing and limited stock.
Smaller concrete blocks (around 4 inches) can range from about £1 to £3 each, while larger 8-inch dense structural blocks may be around £2.50 to £6 each depending on density and manufacturer. Thermal or insulated blocks carry a premium, often reflected in a higher per-piece price but saved energy costs over time.
Bricks and blocks are heavy—think tons for a house extension—so safe delivery and storage are crucial. Plan how pallets will be unloaded and where they’ll sit. Are you ordering a few packs for DIY or pallets for a full extension? Tradespeople often schedule deliveries to match build stages so materials aren’t sat in the rain for weeks.
Store bricks and blocks on a flat, hard base, raised off the ground on timber bearers, covered with waterproof sheeting. Keep them close to the work area but not blocking access. For reclaimed bricks, try to shelter them to avoid further weathering.
If sustainability matters, look for reclaimed bricks, supplier take-back schemes, or blocks with recycled aggregate. Reclaimed bricks reduce landfill and give a unique finish. Some manufacturers also produce low-carbon concrete blocks made with alternative binders—worth exploring for eco-sensitive projects.
Matching existing brickwork is part science, part detective work. Take a sample to local reclamation yards or bring clear photos to merchants. Note mortar colour and joint profile too—getting those right is often more important for a seamless repair than a perfect brick colour match.
Buy in bulk where possible, ask for trade discounts, and compare prices from builders’ merchants and big-box chains. If you have flexibility, reorder over quieter months when demand dips. Also consider reclaimed bricks for character projects: they’re often cheaper than certain premium new facing bricks and add instant charm.
Don’t underestimate waste, forget to check stock availability before scheduling trades, or assume all bricks in the same SKU are a perfect colour match—manufacturing batches vary. And never skip checking dimensions in inches before ordering: a small difference can create costly headaches on site.
Before clicking buy or placing that pallet order, make sure you have: accurate measurements in feet and inches, the brick/block type and size confirmed, delivery access sorted, a plan for storage and protection, and a little extra material on the pallet for cuts and breakages. It’s the small checks that stop big delays.
There’s no one-size-fits-all supplier. If you need inspection pits and electrical site products, specialist suppliers like Expert Electrical deserve a look. For bulk masonry material, go to trade merchants or builders’ yards; for small DIY lots, national retailers such as B&Q and Wickes are convenient. And if you want character, reclaimed yards or specialist suppliers are your friends. Match the store to your project needs, plan quantities in inches and feet, and you’ll have a smoother build from the ground up.
Good luck with your project—whether it’s a tidy garden wall or a full extension, the right bricks and blocks will make the difference between work that stands the test of time and work that needs redoing.
| Bricks & Concrete Blocks | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Unicrimp Concrete Inspection Pit | £ 55,70 | |
| Ferm Living Aires Bed Spread 240x250 Cm Stone | £ 125,- |
