Brick House vs. Wood House Cost: Which Is Cheaper to Build?
Brick or wood-frame construction is one of the first big decisions in building a new home, and cost drives most of that choice. Here’s what actually separates the two, upfront and over the long run.
The Short Answer: Wood Is Cheaper to Build, Brick Can Win Long-Term
If You Go With Wood Siding
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A wood-frame house typically costs 5-15% less to build than a comparable brick house, mainly because brick material, mortar, and skilled bricklayer labor all cost more than lumber and framing crews — brick construction usually runs 10-20% above an equivalent wood house. But upfront cost isn’t the whole story: brick’s durability and thermal mass can claw back some of that gap over the decades through lower maintenance and, in the right climate, lower heating/cooling bills. Which one is actually “cheaper” depends on your time horizon, not just the closing price.
Why Brick Costs More to Build
Brick itself costs more than lumber per square foot of wall covered, and mortar adds further material cost. Bricklaying is slow, skilled work — each brick has to be placed precisely and mortar needs proper cure time, and a bricklaying crew commands a higher hourly rate than a standard framing crew. Brick’s weight can also require a stronger, thicker foundation with more steel reinforcement, adding to concrete and rebar costs. On the plus side, brick IS the exterior finish — no separate siding needed, which offsets some of that premium.
Why Wood Costs Less to Build
Lumber is generally cheaper and more widely available than brick, and its light weight can allow for a less robust foundation. Wood framing goes up fast — carpenters are broadly familiar with standard framing methods, which keeps labor costs down compared to specialized bricklaying. The catch: a wood-frame house needs separate exterior siding (wood, vinyl, or fiber cement), which adds a real cost brick doesn’t have. Even accounting for siding, wood construction usually still comes out cheaper upfront.
Upfront vs. Long-Term Cost
| Brick | Wood-Frame | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront build cost | Higher (+10-20% vs. wood) | Lower (baseline) |
| Ongoing maintenance | Low — occasional cleaning/repointing | Higher — regular siding paint/stain, pest checks |
| Durability/lifespan | Very high, resists rot/termites/fire | Good with maintenance, more vulnerable without it |
| Energy efficiency | Thermal mass helps stabilize temps | Depends heavily on insulation quality |
| Resale perception | Often seen as higher quality/durability | Can match brick’s resale value if well-built |
What Actually Drives the Final Price
- Location: labor rates, material delivery costs, and permit fees swing widely by region — building in a major city costs far more than a small town, and the brick-vs-wood gap itself shrinks in areas where masonry labor is common and cheap
- House size: compare cost per square foot, not total cost, since size affects both materials equally
- Design complexity: more corners, angles, and rooflines mean more labor and waste for both materials, but complexity tends to hit brickwork costs hardest
- Material grade: mass-produced brick is cheap; handmade or reclaimed brick is expensive. Pine framing is cheap; specialty or pressure-treated lumber costs more
- Workmanship quality: a skilled crew costs more upfront but avoids the repair costs that follow shoddy bricklaying or framing later
Budget-Conscious Building Tips
- Get quotes from multiple suppliers for brick or lumber — local yards sometimes beat big-box pricing
- For wood siding, vinyl generally costs less than wood or fiber cement, if you’re prioritizing budget over material authenticity
- Keep the design simple — a rectangular footprint costs meaningfully less than a house full of corners and rooflines, for either material
- Consider a hybrid: brick as a partial facade with wood-frame construction behind it balances cost, looks, and performance
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a brick house truly more expensive than a wood house?
Yes, generally by about 10-20% upfront, due to brick and mortar material costs plus the more labor-intensive, skilled work of bricklaying compared to standard wood framing.
Which type of house is cheaper to heat and cool?
Brick often has an edge due to its thermal mass, which absorbs and releases heat slowly and helps stabilize indoor temperature. A well-insulated wood-frame house can close much of that gap, but it takes deliberate insulation investment to match brick’s natural advantage.
Does a brick house last longer than a wood house?
Brick is highly resistant to rot, termites, and fire, and a well-maintained brick exterior can last many decades with minimal degradation. Wood requires more consistent maintenance (siding treatment, pest checks) to reach comparable longevity.
Conclusion
Wood wins on upfront cost almost every time — typically 5-15% cheaper to build. Brick costs more to build but can make some of that back over decades through lower maintenance and a real (if often overstated) energy-efficiency edge. The right choice comes down to your budget timeline: how much you can spend now versus how much you’re willing to spend later.
