Masonry estimating & takeoff services
Unit masonry takeoffs for CMU, brick and stone, counted by the unit and reported by the square foot. Grout, mortar, reinforcing and accessories are carried separately.
How we estimate masonry
Masonry estimates go wrong in the accessories, not the block. We count units by size and type, then carry mortar, grout by cell spacing, horizontal joint reinforcement, vertical bars, bond beams, lintels, flashing, weeps, wall ties and control joints as their own lines so nothing hides inside a per-square-foot allowance.
Quantities come from the architectural elevations and wall sections, coordinated with the structural drawings for reinforcing and bond beam locations and the specification for unit type, mortar type and grout lift requirements. Openings are deducted at the unit level, not by a blanket percentage.
- Drawings used
- A-200 elevations, A-300 wall sections, S-400 masonry reinforcing, Spec 04 20 00
- Reported in
- EA · SF · CY · BAG · LB · LF · LS
- Format
- Editable Excel workbook, division tab with sheet references; PDF summary; written exclusions and assumptions.
- Turnaround
- Confirmed after we review the set and the project date.
Excluded by default
- Structural steel lintels and shelf angles (Division 05)
- Stone veneer unless specifically detailed
- Foundation dowels (Division 03)
- Scaffolding beyond stated allowance
- Winter protection unless required by schedule
- Cleaning of adjacent surfaces
Line items in a masonry takeoff
Every group below is a separate section of the workbook. Units shown are the units the estimate reports in.
Concrete masonry units
EA · SF- CMU by size: 8", 12", split-face, etc.EA / SF
- Bond beam and lintel unitsEA / LF
- Half-high, bullnose and special shapesEA
- Openings deducted at unit levelEA
- Waste factor by unit type%
- Wall area by type for laborSF
Brick & stone
EA · SF- Modular brick at 6.75 / SFEA / SF
- Utility, king and queen sizesEA / SF
- Soldier, header and rowlock coursesLF
- Cast stone sills, bands and capsLF / EA
- Thin brick and adhered veneerSF
- Cleaning and sealingSF
Mortar & grout
CY · BAG- Mortar by type (N, S, M)BAG / CY
- Grout for cells at spacing shownCY
- Grout for bond beams and lintelsCY
- High-lift vs. low-lift groutingCY
- Grout pump timeHR
- Sand and admixturesTON / LS
Reinforcing
LB · LF- Vertical bars at spacing shownLB
- Bond beam barsLB
- Ladder or truss joint reinforcementLF
- Dowels from foundationEA
- Lintel reinforcingLB
- Positioners and accessoriesallowance
Accessories
LF · EA- Through-wall flashing and drip edgeLF
- Weeps and ventsEA
- Wall ties and anchorsEA
- Control and expansion jointsLF
- Steel lintels (coordinate Div 05)LF / EA
- Cavity insulation and drainage matSF
Labor & equipment
SF · LS- Laying by wall type and heightSF
- Scaffolding by wall area and heightSF / LS
- Mortar mixer and grout pumpDAY
- Cold-weather protection where requiredLS
- Cleaning and pointingSF
- Sample panel / mock-upEA
A masonry takeoff, as delivered
| Description | Qty | Unit | Sheet | Material | Labor | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8" CMU, running bond, normal weight | 14,200 | EA | A-201 | 21,300 | 35,500 | 56,800 |
| Modular brick veneer, 6.75 / SF | 9,450 | SF | A-202 | 37,800 | 56,700 | 94,500 |
| Grout, cells @ 32" O.C. + bond beams | 38 | CY | S-401 | 7,600 | 9,120 | 16,720 |
| #5 vertical @ 32" O.C., laps incl. | 3,640 | LB | S-401 | 3,276 | 2,548 | 5,824 |
| 9 ga ladder reinf. @ 16" O.C. | 6,300 | LF | A-301 | 2,520 | 1,890 | 4,410 |
| Flashing, weeps, ties, control joints | 1 | LS | A-301 | 6,800 | 4,200 | 11,000 |
| Division 04 subtotal | 79,296 | 109,958 | 189,254 | |||
Specific to this trade
What waste factor do you apply?
Typically 3% on CMU and 5% on brick, adjusted for cut-heavy patterns, curved walls, or special shapes. The percentage used is stated on the estimate so you can change it.
How do you calculate grout quantity?
From the cell spacing on the structural drawings and the unit's published core volume, plus bond beams and lintels at their full section. We state whether the estimate assumes high-lift or low-lift grouting because the labor differs.
Is scaffolding included?
As an allowance based on wall area and height, clearly separated. If you own or rent scaffolding on your own terms, delete the line.
Masonry bid due soon?
Send the relevant sheets and we'll come back with a price and a date.