Built for a trade that wears kit out fast
Bricklayers kneel, crouch, lean against scaffold and handle rough, abrasive blocks all day, in every season. Mortar splashes dry hard into fabric, and cement is unkind to skin and clothing alike. That's why the right kit is chosen for abrasion resistance and washability first and looks second, though a consistent logo still matters when the site manager is deciding who to bring back.
Abrasion where it counts
Reinforced knees, seat and hems cope with kneeling on block, brushing past scaffold boards and daily contact with rough materials. That's where cheap trousers give up first.
Washes hard, holds its colour
Heavyweight fabrics that survive hot washes to shift mortar and cement dust without fading or losing shape. Heavier polycotton and canvas-weight fabrics with reinforced panels generally last longest.
Layers for the weather
Brickwork stops when it's too wet or too cold to lay, but the gang is still on site. Softshells and waterproofs keep them working between showers.
The bricklaying and blockwork kit list
This is what bricklaying gangs and groundwork-to-DPC contractors typically order, and why each item earns its place.
- Knee-pad work trousers: the most important garment in the order. Pockets for EN 14404 knee pads, reinforced knees, and holster pockets for trowels and tape measures. See work trousers.
- Hi-vis vests and tees: most housing and commercial sites require hi-vis as a minimum. See hi-vis workwear.
- Polos, T-shirts and sweatshirts: tough branded tops that wash out mortar splashes, plus lighter layers for summer and for days spent pointing up in a finished area. See polos and T-shirts.
- Softshells and waterproofs: for cold mornings, laying in wind, and the showers that stop a lift.
- Work gloves: cement is alkaline and rough on hands. Pick grippy, cut-resistant gloves rated for the task, and replace them when they're worn. Glove ratings explained.
- Safety boots: toe protection and a sole that copes with mud, mortar and scaffold. See safety boots.
- Head, eye and dust protection: hard hats for site, plus eye protection and dust masks for cutting blocks. Dust mask ratings explained.
Getting the trousers right
Bricklayers spend a big part of the day on their knees, so trousers are where it's worth spending the most thought. Look for knee-pad pockets that take EN 14404 pads, so the pads sit where they should every time you kneel. Reinforced knees and a reinforced seat take the abrasion from block and scaffold boards, and holster pockets keep small tools to hand.
We'll send free samples of the fabric weights we recommend, so the gang can try them on site before you order for everyone. If your main contractor sets particular hi-vis requirements for site, tell us what they are when you ask for a quote and we'll supply to them.
There's no minimum order, so a two-person gang gets the same branding as a large contractor. Stock items dispatch next day, and branded kit follows once you've approved the logo proof.
A gang that looks like one firm
Bricklaying gangs are often subcontracted, and a main contractor or housebuilder sees several firms on the same site. A consistent branded kit makes it obvious which gang is yours, makes you look organised, and makes it easier to be remembered for the next phase.
Branded for the site manager, not just the customer
On a large site, the person who decides on repeat work is the site or contracts manager. Kit with your name on it keeps the firm visible every day, not just at tender. A logo on the back of a softshell advertises your business on every site you work.
Placement that survives the job
Chest and back logos on hi-vis and softshells stay visible, while logos low on trousers get covered in mortar. Hi-vis can be branded too, but logo size and placement need to stay within the reflective-band layout so the garment keeps its rating. Our logo placement guide covers what goes where.
Easy reorders when kit wears through
Set up a trade account on your first order and your sizes and logo are saved, so replacing worn trousers is a quick reorder rather than starting again. For the full site range, see our construction workwear.
