Bricklayers and stonemasons work in closely related trades creating attractive, durable surfaces and structures. The work varies in complexity, from laying a simple masonry walkway to installing an ornate exterior of a high-rise building. Bricklayers-also called brick masons- build walls, floors, partitions, fireplaces, chimneys, and other structures with brick, pre-cast masonry panels, concrete block, and other masonry materials. Additionally, bricklayers specialize in installing firebrick linings in industrial furnaces. Stonemasons build stone walls, as well as set stone exteriors and floors. They work with two types of stone-natural cut, such as marble, granite, and limestone, and artificial stone made from concrete, marble chips, or other masonry materials. Stonemasons usually work on nonresidential structures, such as houses of worship, hotels, and office buildings.

When building a structure, bricklayers begin by constructing a pyramid of bricks-called a lead-at each corner of a wall, around which the rest of the bricks are laid. Due to the precision needed, these corner leads are time consuming to erect and require the skills of experienced bricklayers. After the corner leads are complete, less experienced bricklayers fill in the wall between the corners, using a line from corner to corner to guide each course, or layer, of brick. Because of the expense associated with building corner leads, an increasing number of bricklayers use corner poles, also called masonry guides, that enable them to build an entire wall at the same time. They fasten the corner poles (posts) in a plumb position to define the wall line and stretch a line between them. This line serves as a guide for each course of brick. Bricklayers then spread a bed of mortar (a cement, sand, and water mixture) with a trowel (a flat, bladed metal tool with a handle), place the brick on the mortar bed, and then press and tap the brick into place. Depending on blueprint specifications, bricklayers either cut bricks with a hammer and chisel or saw them to fit around windows, doors, and other openings. Then, mortar joints are finished with jointing tools for a sealed, neat, uniform appearance. Although bricklayers usually use steel supports, or lintels, at window and door openings, they sometimes build brick arches instead, which support and enhance the beauty of the brickwork.