A bricklayer is one of the most in-demand occupations. As of early January 2024, there were 997 job openings for bricklayers at the Employment Office. On job portals, 532 ads were posted in January 2024 seeking such specialists. The average hourly wage for a bricklayer ranges from 210 to 330 CZK, depending on the region. According to prumernyplat.cz and mujplat.cz, the average wage varies from 240 to 300 CZK/hour depending on the region. The highest wages for bricklayers are reported in cities like Plzeň and Olomouc. These are, however, maximum figures for employees working in rental properties for companies. Many specialists take temporary jobs in neighboring European countries, where bricklayers can earn up to 18 €/hour. However, these specialists incur additional costs for housing and food. These opportunities are often taken by those willing to cope with the challenges of living away from home.
Bricklaying is one of the oldest professions in the world. For millennia, people have been building structures from stone. Just think of Stonehenge, which dates back to around 1400 BCE. This profession is considered timeless.
Medieval cathedrals, castles, and other monumental structures were built thanks to the skills of bricklayers. Thus, the bricklayer's profession has played a crucial role in the development of architecture and construction worldwide. Over the centuries, bricklayers have adapted to changes in technologies and materials, but their core duties have remained the same. Today, bricklayers specialize in various types of construction work, including modern techniques and traditional methods.
In the Czech Republic, jobs are most often found on job platforms, while temporary work is often found in Facebook groups. On all these platforms, specialists negotiate their fees directly with clients. Payment options for platform services vary: percentage fees for completed work, monthly subscriptions, pay-per-job, and the ability to offer services to clients without a guarantee of being chosen.
On Facebook, several groups cater to employers seeking bricklayers for short-term and long-term projects. Popular groups include «Práce ve stavebnictví ČR» and «Brigády a práce ve stavebnictví.»
The platform Wecan.cz allows bricklayers to find one-off jobs and negotiate prices directly with clients. Wecan offers various payment options, including monthly subscriptions and one-time job fees. Bricklayers can also use construction calculators to estimate the cost of their services and obtain material usage calculations. This helps them plan their projects more efficiently and increase their income.
Several factors influence a bricklayer's income:
Some work in this specialization is done indoors, but most work is often outdoors. Therefore, during the 3-4 cold months, finding work can be very difficult. Specialists often combine their work with other construction specializations, such as plastering, to ensure continuous employment.
At the entry-level, qualifications involve the simplest tasks. Bricklayer duties include knowledge of basic masonry work, blocks, cement plasters, and mixing compounds. They use the simplest tools: a trowel, spatula, plumb line, and shovel for mixing compounds. A higher-qualified bricklayer is allowed to build bridges, arch constructions, beams, and partitions. They must be able to read plans and know some basics of engineering. Such specialists often become team leaders, overseeing and training less qualified employees.
The highest qualification for a bricklayer includes understanding the basics of statics and waterproofing. They are involved in restoring buildings, arches, and domes. Very few specialists can work with natural stone like marble, granite, or onyx. The work of these specialists is much more expensive and requires additional training, which can significantly increase their income.
Additionally, in the Czech Republic, there is a construction calculator service. For a small monthly fee and without your estimator, you can calculate the cost of your service for a client and also obtain material usage calculations. Another factor influencing a bricklayer's wage is the location of the work. Larger cities like Prague, Brno, and Ostrava usually offer higher wages due to greater demand for construction work and higher living costs.
The average salary for a bricklayer can also be affected by specific skills and expertise. Bricklayers with experience in modern technologies and materials can expect higher wages. For example, working with ecological materials, energy-efficient technologies, or sophisticated building systems can increase the value of a bricklayer's services in the market.
Despite the challenging working conditions, bricklaying is considered a stable and promising profession. Bricklayers are essential for constructing new buildings, renovations, and repairs of existing structures. Many bricklayers also specialize in specific types of construction, such as residential homes, apartment buildings, commercial buildings, or industrial facilities. This allows them to secure a wider range of contracts and increase their income. However, this profession is very physically demanding, carries a high risk of injury, and involves tough working conditions. Bricklayers must work in all weather conditions and temperatures and often suffer from back problems.
A bricklayer can increase their salary and income by enhancing their qualifications, gaining relevant work experience, and building a good reputation. After completing a project, specialists often ask employers or clients for recommendation letters, which significantly improve their chances of finding better-paying jobs. Many specialists, after working on construction sites, decide to start their own businesses. A self-employed bricklayer can earn more, but this comes with risks associated with finding clients, communicating with them, hiring staff, managing accounts, and paying taxes.
To increase their income, bricklayers can also take additional courses and training, allowing them to specialize in more advanced techniques and materials. For example, certification in energy-efficient construction or the restoration of historical buildings can significantly increase their market value. Another way to increase income is to expand the range of services offered. Bricklayers can offer additional services such as plumbing, electrical work, or carpentry. This allows them to secure more contracts and increase their earnings.
Since this job involves significant health risks, it's essential to check what health insurance your employer provides. If you are self-employed or have started your own company, you must take care of your health yourself. It is recommended to get life insurance, focus on potential risks of temporary loss of work ability, and insure your business risk. Ensure your life insurance includes liability coverage for third-party damages in case of accidental property damage. Otherwise, you must purchase this insurance separately. Paying 150-200 CZK per month, the insurance company covers damages up to 1.5 million CZK.
Liability insurance for damages caused while performing your job is another crucial component of a bricklayer's protection. This insurance covers financial costs associated with compensating for damages that the bricklayer may unintentionally cause to clients or third parties during work. For example, if a bricklayer damages building materials or a finished structure, the insurance company will cover the repair or replacement costs.
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