Determining the wholesale price of bricks requires several considerations, especially if you’ve calculated how many bricks you need for a particular project. Different factors influence the cost of bricks, and it may seem more complex than it may seem. Let’s examine these factors to understand the wholesale price of bricks better.
What affects the cost of bricks?
The cost of bricks isn’t as stable as one might initially believe. Instead, it’s influenced by three principal components, each uniquely shaping the price, even at the wholesale level.
The type of brick
Among the factors, the type of brick is arguably the most apparent one. Common bricks are typically priced anywhere from £300 per 1000, but the price can ascend significantly with specific types. For instance, engineering bricks with added water and frost protection may begin at around £500 per 1000. These prices correspond to full loads of 8000-10000 bricks directly from the factory, assuming there’s sufficient space for a large delivery vehicle.
Specialist bricks introduce more variables into the pricing. Facing bricks, for instance, can vary significantly in price. Depending on aspects like color, material, and texture, they may range from £500 per 1000 to as high as £1800 per 1000.
Special-shaped bricks such as bullnose or plinth might be priced at £20 each, although usually needed in smaller quantities. Handmade bricks are another category that can be expensive and typically priced per unit.
Brick manufacturing
The manufacturing process of bricks is another crucial determinant of their cost. Easier-to-produce bricks are typically less expensive. Mass-produced bricks, manufactured with automated machinery in large factories, keep manpower costs low and make these bricks more affordable. Machine-made, or wire-cut bricks, might begin at £450 per 1000, with prices based on full loads, although smaller quantities can be acquired throughout the UK.
Contrarily, handmade bricks, crafted individually by artisans, come with a premium. You may end up paying four times as much as machine-made bricks, but if the unique, handcrafted appearance is what you desire, it could be worth the investment.
Supply and demand
Perhaps the most unexpected factor affecting brick prices is supply and demand. The UK has experienced a brick shortage, causing delivery times to stretch as long as 12 months in some cases. Such delays can lead to significant interruptions in construction projects and, consequently, an increase in brick prices.
This shortage began with the 2008 recession and the subsequent downturn in house building. Although recent government initiatives to encourage more housing construction have boosted demand, stockpiles remain low. This imbalance between supply and demand directly affects the price you’ll pay for your bricks, adding yet another layer of complexity to determining the wholesale price of a brick.
In sum, understanding the cost of bricks requires considering the type of brick, manufacturing method, and the economic principles of supply and demand, all of which intertwine to form the final price.
