How to Speed Up Brick Laying Without Sacrificing Quality

Bricklaying is one of the most physically demanding and time-consuming aspects of masonry work. Whether you're building a garden wall or laying block for a full structure, it's easy to lose hours, if not days, on inefficient workflows, waiting on mortar, or cleaning up after a messy mix. Add in the frustration of rework from crooked lines or mortar that's too dry, and the job can quickly spiral.

The goal of this guide is simple: help you lay bricks faster without compromising quality. The strategies will help you get the job done with less waste, more precision, and fewer delays from the first brick.

Tools like the MudMixer® are changing the way stonemasons, contractors, and DIYers mix mortar. But equipment is just one part of the picture. Let’s walk through the real reasons bricklaying takes longer than it should, and how to fix it.

Why Brick Laying Takes So Long

Common Causes of Slowdowns

• Inconsistent mixes: When every batch of mortar comes out different, you spend time adjusting water, adding dry mix, or tossing bad batches altogether. Inconsistency adds hours and a lot of frustration.

• Manual labor fatigue: Carrying bricks, hauling buckets, and mixing mortar by hand is exhausting. The more tired your team (or you) get, the more mistakes creep in and the slower the work becomes.

• Waiting on mortar batches: If your team has to stop laying while someone mixes mortar, you're burning time. Waiting on fresh batches interrupts your rhythm and slows the entire job.

• Rework due to crooked lines or improper bonds: Bad layout or overworked mortar means going back to fix poor alignment or weak joints. Rework isn’t just frustrating, it’s expensive.

The Hidden Costs of a Slow Job

#1 Delayed Timelines

Fall behind your schedule, and everything downstream gets pushed back, especially bad if you're juggling multiple jobs.

#2 Missed Bids or Opportunities 

Spending too much time on one project may prevent you from bidding or starting the next.

#3 Higher Labor Costs 

More time on-site = more wages paid out. Even a single day's delay eats into your profit margin or stretches your personal bandwidth on DIY projects.

8 Proven Ways to Lay Bricks Faster Without Losing Quality

1. Get the Mortar Right Every Time

Poor mortar consistency is one of the fastest ways to derail your entire bricklaying project. Mortar that’s too dry won’t bond properly. Too wet, and it runs, stains your bricks, and weakens your wall. Getting this part right sets the tone for the entire job.

Instead of mixing by hand, pre-bagged mortar combined with an adjustable mixer gives you repeatable, reliable results. This is where a tool like the MudMixer® shines. It lets you dial in water levels to match the exact specs of your dry mix, bag after bag.

Taking the time to get measurements and ratios right during mixing improves both speed and durability throughout your construction projects.

Manual Mixing vs. MudMixer Output

What’s the best water-to-mix ratio for mortar?

Always start with the manufacturer’s guidance, typically around 4 to 6 quarts of water per 80 lb bag. If you’re using the MudMixer, the water dial allows you to hit that ratio exactly. You’re aiming for a mix that holds its shape on a trowel but still spreads easily. Think peanut butter texture.

Using too much water results in soft joints that crumble over time. Too little, and your mortar won’t bond or flow properly. Precision here pays off in both speed and finish.

2. Use a Continuous Mixer Like the MudMixer

Batch mixing is a bottleneck. Every time you stop to mix another load, your crew (or you) are waiting and wasting time. A continuous mixer like the MudMixer eliminates that hold-up entirely. Just load it with dry mix, dial in the water, and get a steady flow of ready-to-use mortar where you need it.

Can I use MudMixer for mortar with additives?

Yes. Many contractors and masons do. Just make sure the additives are dry and designed to be mixed with mortar in a continuous system. Popular options include:

• Bonding agents

• Color pigments

• Water retention aids

Avoid additives that require soaking or post-mix blending. When in doubt, stir dry additives into the mix before loading them into the hopper.

3. Master Your Setup

Time gets wasted when you have to constantly walk back and forth for bricks, mortar, or tools. A smart setup cuts out this back-and-forth and keeps your hands laying brick instead of hauling gear.

• Stage bricks near ground level to reduce lifting strain

• Group materials by area to avoid backtracking

• Keep your trowel, level, jointer, and other tools close at hand

This applies to both contractors and DIYers. Organization directly affects your pace.

4. Use Guides and String Lines

Whether you're a DIYer or part of a construction company, consistent measurements and clean lines are the foundation of quality work. Brickwork that isn’t square or straight almost always ends in rework. Straight lines mean clean results the first time around.

Here’s how to keep your layout on track:

Even for seasoned bricklayers, visual guides cut down on mental effort and make it easier to spot errors early. For beginners or apprentices, they’re a must.

5. Work in Teams (or Simulate It)

When time matters, dividing labor speeds everything up. On a three-person crew, assign roles like:

• One person laying bricks

• One person staging and moving materials

• One person mixing and delivering mortar

If you’re working alone, simulate a full team by using tools like the MudMixer to automate the mixing side of the job. You keep laying bricks while the mixer keeps delivering mortar. No stopping, no scrambling, no wasted movement.

6. Use Precut or Uniform Blocks

The more consistent your materials, the faster the work. Bricks and blocks that vary in size or shape lead to extra measuring, more cuts, and uneven joints that slow you down.

Here’s a quick breakdown of common material types and building blocks:

• Concrete blocks – Heavier, but faster to lay due to larger size

• Cinder blocks – Lightweight and economical for garden or utility walls

• Clay bricks – Smaller and more precise, often chosen for aesthetics

Whenever possible, choose uniform materials for projects where speed is the goal. Even shaving off a few seconds per brick adds up over hundreds of placements.

7. Train for Repetition

Bricklaying isn’t just about strength, it’s rhythm and repetition. The more time you spend with a trowel in hand, the faster and smoother your motion becomes.

This applies to:

• DIYers who want professional-looking results

• Contractors training new apprentices

• Anyone looking to increase daily output

Keep your technique consistent. Speed comes with familiarity. By focusing on fundamental skills, like spreading mortar, striking joints, and setting each block to a consistent line, you’ll lay faster without mistakes.

8. Avoid Overworking the Mortar

It’s tempting to shift bricks after the fact, or tinker with a joint to “perfect” it. But every adjustment uses time and often makes things worse. Excess mortar cleanup is another major time drain.

The better your mix, the less fiddling you’ll need. Let the mortar hold its shape and support the brick on contact.

How long should I wait before tooling the joints?

As a rule, wait 20 to 30 minutes after laying before tooling. You want the mortar to resist a light touch but still be pliable. Tooling too early causes smearing. Too late, and you risk brittle, flaky joints.

Environmental factors matter:

• In hot, dry weather: tooling time may drop to 10–15 minutes

• In cool, humid conditions: you might need to wait longer

Always watch the mortar, not the clock. A simple finger test is better than guessing. This is one of those basic skills that separates a clean wall from a sloppy one.

Tool Checklist for Fast Brick Laying

Here’s what you’ll want on hand to keep your project moving:

• MudMixer® – For fast, continuous mixing of mortar, grout, or stucco

• Trowel – Choose the right shape and size for your brick type

• Level – Both short and long levels help with accuracy

• Brick Jointer – For clean, consistent joints

• String Line + Line Blocks – For straight runs

• Masonry Tape Measure – Don’t eyeball—measure frequently

• Safety Glasses & Gloves – Protect your eyes and hands on long jobs

Optional but helpful:

• Wheelbarrow or cart (if not pouring directly from mixer)

• Shovel or scoop for small mortar adjustments

• Brush or sponge for quick cleanups

Tips for Contractors: Win More Jobs with Faster Turnaround

Speed isn’t just about bragging rights, it’s about business. When you can complete jobs faster without sacrificing quality, you unlock major advantages:

1. Cut man-hours without cutting results: A continuous mixer like the MudMixer® lets one team member handle what used to take three or four. That means fewer labor costs and less downtime.

2. Submit more bids with confidence: Faster setup and more efficient workflows allow you to take on more jobs at once. That opens the door to more revenue and a better reputation.

3. Less rework, fewer callbacks: Consistent mixes and better layout control mean cleaner joints, straighter lines, and fewer issues down the road.

4. Improve your crew’s output: Apprentices and junior masons can focus on technique while the MudMixer handles the heavy lifting. This helps them build confidence and skill faster.

5. Protect your license and reputation: Faster doesn’t mean sloppier. These improvements keep your work clean, up to code, and ready to pass inspections the first time.

Tips for DIYers: Get Professional Results at Home

You don’t need a crew to get contractor-quality results. Here’s how solo DIYers can make real progress without getting overwhelmed:

1. Stick to the basics: Focus on mastering basic bricklaying skills, using string lines, and measuring frequently. Speed comes with consistency.

2. Use tools that save you steps: The MudMixer can turn what would be a multi-hour mixing process into a continuous, reliable mortar supply. This gives you more time on the wall and less time at the bucket.

3. Work in sections: Don’t try to tackle too much at once. Lay a manageable section, tool it properly, and move on. The goal is steady progress, not rushed results.

4. Watch your joints: Keep mortar depth consistent, and wait until it’s just right to strike your joints. Good-looking joints instantly make any brick project look more polished.

Bricklaying Project Ideas That Benefit from Speed

Faster bricklaying doesn’t just apply to full structural jobs. Here are some popular projects where improved workflow saves time and energy:

• Brick sidewalks – Straight lines and tight joints pay off with walkability and curb appeal

• Garden walls – Decorative or functional, quicker mortar mixing makes these easier to manage

• Repairing damaged walls or brick facing – Knock out patches or partial rebuilds in one session

• Outdoor kitchens or fire pits – Keep momentum going with prepped bricks and continuous mortar flow

• Raised planters or edging – Uniform blocks and clean lines make these great for solo DIYers

• Garages or small outbuildings – Big jobs become easier to manage when you keep mixing delays off the table

Build Smarter, Not Harder

Speed and quality don’t have to be at odds. With the right prep, layout, tools, and mixing system, you can move faster without sacrificing clean joints, straight lines, or strong bonds.

Bricklaying will always be labor-intensive, but that doesn’t mean it has to be inefficient. Whether you’re building a garden wall on the weekend or leading a commercial crew through a block structure, your success depends on how you work, not just how hard you work.

The MudMixer® is designed to take the most frustrating part of the job, mixing, and make it faster, cleaner, and more consistent. That gives you more control over your time, your materials, and your results.