119MASONRY
CHAPTERELEVEN
11–1 General
The term masonryencompasses all the materials used by
masons in a project, such as block, brick, clay, tile, or
stone. The mason is also responsible for the installation of
lintels, flashing, metal wall reinforcing, weep holes, precast
concrete, stone sills and coping, and manhole and catch
basin block.
The tremendous amount of varied material available
requires that estimators be certain they are bidding
exactly what is required. Read the specifications, check the
drawings, and call local suppliers to determine the exact
availability, costs, and special requirements of the units
needed.
11–2 Specifications
Specifications should be carefully checked for the size of the
unit, type of bond, color, and shape. Simply because a par-
ticular unit is specified does not mean it is available in a
particular area. The estimator must check with the local
manufacturer and suppliers to ensure the availability of all
items, their compliance with the specifications, and the
standards established by the local building code. Even
though concrete blocks are generally manufactured on the
local level, it is not uncommon for the local supplier to
make arrangements with a manufacturer 300 or more miles
away to provide the units required for a particular project—
especially if a small number of special units are involved. If
the specifications require a certain fire rating, the supplier
must be made aware of the requirements before submitting
a proposal for the material.
Many masonry accessories such as lintels and flashing,
which are built into the wall, must be installed by the
masons. The general contractor needs to verify whether the
masonry subcontractor has included these items in his
quote. Large precast concrete lintels may require the use of
special equipment, and steel angle lintels often require cut-
ting of the masonry units. In addition, the type of joint
“tooling” should be noted, as the different types impact
labor costs.11–3 Labor
The amount of time required for a mason (with the assis-
tance of helpers) to lay a masonry unit varies with the (1)
size, weight, and shape of the unit; (2) bond (pattern); (3)
number of openings; (4) whether the walls are straight or
have jogs in them; (5) distance the units must be moved
(both horizontally and vertically); and (6) the shape and
color of the mortar joint. The height of the walls becomes
important in estimating labor for masonry units. The
masonry work that can be laid up without the use of scaf-
folding is generally the least expensive; however, that is typ-
ically limited to 4 to 5 feet. Labor costs arise from the
erection, moving, and dismantling of the scaffolding as the
building goes up. The units and mortar have to be placed
on the scaffold, which further adds to the labor and equip-
ment costs.
The estimator should check union regulations in the
locality in which the project will be constructed, since
unions may require that two masons work together where
the units weigh more than 35 pounds each.
The weather conditions always affect labor costs,
because a mason will lay more brick on a clear, warm, dry
day than on a damp, cold day. Winter construction requires
the building and maintenance of temporary enclosures and
heating.11–4 Bonds (Patterns)
Some types of bonds (Figures 11.1, 11.2, & 11.3) required for
masonry units can add tremendously to the labor cost of the
project. The least expensive bond (pattern) is the running