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Compound Wall Construction Cost Calculator

A compound wall is priced from its quantities: foundation digging, a concrete base, RCC pillars at regular spacing, brick or block masonry and plaster on both faces. A 40 m wall, 1.8 m high and 230 mm thick, with 300 mm pillars every 3 m, needs 15 pillars and about 8,500 standard bricks. At the example rates it costs about 6,600, or 166 per metre.

Inputs

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Wall
m
m
mm
Pillars and foundation
m
mm
m
m
mm
Your rates (examples: use local prices)
/m³
/m³
/m³
/m²
Wall elevation with pillars15 pillars at 3 m3 mfirst 9 of 15myconstructioncalculator.comNot to scale
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Results

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Estimated compound wall cost
6,628
Excavation (21.60 m³)216
Concrete (7.04 m³)1,549
Masonry (20.82 m³)2,498
Plaster (144.0 m²)864
Gate1,500
Cost per metre of wall166
Pillars15
Bricks or blocks (no wastage)8,506

Budget estimate. A wall over about 1.8 m high, on poor soil or retaining earth needs an engineer to size the foundation and pillars.

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Working
  1. Pillars = ⌈length ÷ spacing⌉ + 1 = 15; each runs from the base to the top of the wall (2.55 m)
  2. Masonry = (length − pillars × pillar size) × height from base × thickness = 20.82 m³
  3. Units = masonry ÷ unit volume with 10 mm joints = 8,506
  4. Concrete = base (length × trench width × base) + pillars (n × size² × height) = 7.04 m³
  5. Excavation: 21.60 m³ × 10.00 = 216
  6. Concrete: 7.04 m³ × 220.00 = 1,549
  7. Masonry: 20.82 m³ × 120.00 = 2,498
  8. Plaster: 144.00 m² × 6.00 = 864
  9. Total = 5,128 + gate 1,500 = 6,628
Results are estimates for planning and material ordering only. They are not a substitute for structural design or approval by a qualified engineer. Read the full disclaimer.
Formula


Pillars    = ⌈length ÷ spacing⌉ + 1
Masonry    = (length − pillars × pillar size) × (height + depth − base) × thickness
Bricks     = masonry ÷ ((l + j)(w + j)(h + j))
Concrete   = length × trench width × base + pillars × size² × (height + depth − base)
Excavation = length × trench width × depth;  plaster = 2 × length × height


Worked Example


A 40 m wall, 1.8 m high, 230 mm brick, 300 mm pillars at 3 m, 0.6 × 0.9 m trench with a 150 mm base:


    

  1. Pillars = ⌈40 ÷ 3⌉ + 1 = 15
    2. 

  2. Masonry = (40 − 4.5) × 2.55 × 0.23 = 20.8 m³ → 8,506 bricks
    3. 

  3. Concrete = 3.6 m³ base + 3.44 m³ pillars = 7.04 m³; excavation 21.6 m³; plaster 144 m²
    4. 

  4. At the example rates, with a 1,500 gate: 6,628 (166 per metre)
    5. 



Quantities for Common Lengths (1.8 m high, 230 mm brick)






Wall length
Pillars
Masonry
Bricks
Concrete
Plaster (both faces)






30 m
11
15.66 m³
6,397
5.22 m³
108 m²




60 m
21
31.50 m³
12,866
10.22 m³
216 m²




100 m
35
52.49 m³
21,443
17.03 m³
360 m²






Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate a compound wall?
Work out the foundation (trench length × width × depth), the concrete base, the pillars (length ÷ spacing, rounded up, plus 1), the masonry between the pillars, and the plaster area on both faces. Then price each with your local rates.
How many bricks are in a compound wall?
Masonry volume ÷ the volume of one brick with its mortar joint. A 230 × 110 × 75 mm brick with 10 mm joints takes 0.24 × 0.12 × 0.085 m, so about 409 bricks per m³ before wastage.
What is the usual pillar spacing for a boundary wall?
Pillars are commonly 2.5 to 3.5 m apart for a brick wall about 1.5 to 2 m high. Taller walls, poor soil or strong wind need closer pillars or an engineer's design.
How is the cost per running foot or metre worked out?
Divide the total cost by the length of wall. It lets you compare quotes from builders who price by the running foot.
Does the wall need plaster on both sides?
Usually, for appearance and to protect the bricks from rain. If one side faces a neighbour and stays unplastered, halve the plaster rate.
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