Prices

The following provides a guide to dry stone walling prices for 2018. These prices relate to field walling, where the emphasis is on sound and durable construction.

For more decorative projects, such as driveways or garden features, pricing is largely affected by the quality of finish, and time required to dress stonework. Please get in touch and I can provide a more tailored estimate.

Field Walling

Wall Height (1)
Ground level to immediately below copes		 Standard Quality
Compliant with CS guidance
(2)		 Simple Gapping & Basic Quality Rebuilds
(3)
1.0m £41.00 £31.00
1.2m (4′) £49.00 £37.00
1.3m £53.50 £40.00
1.4m (4’7″) £57.50 n/a (4)
1.5m £62.00
1.6m (5’4″) £67.00
Dismantling existing wall (5) £3.00/m
Digging out and resetting foundations One side only (6): £6.50/m or Both sides: £10.00/m
Setting tops £2.50/m
Removing excess stone and soil after building £12.50/hr
Wall features (check-ends, stiles, corners, hog holes, etc.) Prices start at 1.5x wall rate
Notes

1. Wall height refers to the body of the wall, not including tops or footings. Many walls vary in height from side to side, depending on surrounding ground levels. Where the difference is less than a foot or so, the wall height would be an average of the two. If the height difference is significantly more, the wall is likely retaining – please contact me to arrange a quote.

2. ‘Standard Quality’ is built to recognised best practice and conforms to the mandatory and advisory requirements of Countryside Stewardship funding (as related to standards of construction).

For guidance on commissioning I would refer customers to STONEWORK A technical guide to standards and identification of common faults in dry stone walling.

3. ‘Basic Quality’ is generally suited gaps and smaller repairs where the condition of adjoining walls wouldn’t justify the cost of a higher standard repair. It may also be appropriate for simple rebuilds, where economy is more important than permanence.

4. Except in the case of gapping, walls above 1.3m are not recommended because of the higher technical standards required.

5. I’m happy to work with walling stone that has already been dismantled. If you choose to take down the wall separately, the stone should be laid out both sides of the wall, with the smallest stone at the back, largest stone nearest the wall, a foot or so of clear space next to the wall, and any top stones kept separate.

6. Walls should ideally be built on level footing stones, and premature failure is likely if the footings are not reset – particularly for higher walls or rounded stone types. That said, in most cases the footings deform more on one side than the other – usually downslope. Resetting just these stones can significantly improve the durability of the rebuilt wall. It would also often occur that the quality of the existing footings varies along the length of the wall.

Owing to the high additional cost, it is a matter for the customer whether the footings are reset. In my experience the effect of this is usually less important in lower walls or where the stone type is flatter and more uniform.

Given the variable nature of stone walls, additional costs may arise for steep slopes, difficult ground or remote sites. For further advice feel free to get in touch using the contact details listed above.