Division 04 · Masonry
Masonry estimating built unit by unit, from the first course to the last lintel
Masonry looks simple until the bid reveals how many things hang on a wall: grouted cells, bond beams, ties, flashing, control joints, lintels and the scaffold that lets mason tenders reach them. Our estimators convert wall elevations into unit counts for block, brick and stone, then build the mortar, grout, steel and access around them so your number covers the whole assembly, not just the face.
- 5.0 Google
- 4.9 Trustpilot
- 4.9 Clutch
Scope we take off
12 items- CMU by size and typeEA
- Face brick and veneerEA / M
- MortarBAGS
- Grout and grouted cellsCY
- Wall reinforcementLF / TON
- Lintels and sillsEA / LF
Scope of takeoff
What goes into the masonry takeoff
Walls measured from elevations, units counted by size, and the supporting materials derived from the details.
- 01
CMU by size and typeEA
8x8x16, 12x8x16 and 6x8x16 blocks, plus half, corner, bond beam and lintel units
Wall area times units per SF, less openings
- 02
Face brick and veneerEA / M
Modular, queen and utility brick by color and texture, per thousand
Elevation area at about 6.75 per SF
- 03
MortarBAGS
Type N, S and M mortar by bag count from units and joint thickness
Derived per 100 units and per SF
- 04
Grout and grouted cellsCY
Fully and partially grouted cells, bond beams and lintels
Cell volume at reinforcing spacing
- 05
Wall reinforcementLF / TON
Vertical bars in cells and horizontal joint reinforcement ladders
Wall schedule and typical details
- 06
Lintels and sillsEA / LF
Steel angles, precast and masonry lintels, with stone or precast sills
Opening schedule and elevations
- 07
Flashing, weeps and tiesLF / EA
Through-wall flashing, weep vents, cavity drainage and wall ties
Wall sections and spacing requirements
- 08
Control and expansion jointsLF
Vertical joints with backer rod and sealant, and horizontal relief angles
Elevation joint layout
- 09
Insulation and cavity fillSF
Rigid board, inserts and air barrier at cavity walls
Wall type schedule
- 10
Scaffolding and mortar mixingSF / MOS
Frame scaffold, mast climbers, hoists and mixing stations by elevation height
Building height and duration
- 11
Cleaning and sealingSF
Pressure washing, acid cleaning, water repellent and anti-graffiti coatings
Finish schedule
- 12
Mason and tender laborHRS
Mason and laborer hours by unit weight, wall height and complexity
Productivity per 1,000 units
Overview
A masonry wall is a stack of separate quantities
Masonry estimating starts with area. Every wall is measured in square feet from the elevations and plans, with openings deducted, and the unit count follows from the wall type: roughly 1.125 CMU per square foot for 8x16 face blocks, about 6.75 modular brick per square foot for single-wythe veneer. Each unit size, color, and finish becomes its own line.
The materials inside the wall come next. Mortar is derived from unit counts and joint thickness, grout in cubic yards from the cells that are filled, reinforcing bars from the wall schedule, and ties, anchors, flashing, weep vents and control joints from the details. Lintels, bond beams and sills are counted as individual pieces with their lengths.
Labor is where masonry bids are won or lost. Productivity depends on unit weight, wall height, number of corners and openings, and access. Scaffold, mortar mixing, hoisting and winter protection are often a third of the cost, so we price them from the schedule instead of assuming they are included in a mason's unit rate.
Process
How our estimating process works
Four steps from upload to a bid-ready estimate, with a senior estimator signing off before anything leaves our desk.
- 1
Upload plans and scope
Send your drawings, specifications and bid invitation through the secure upload form. We confirm scope, deadline and a fixed price within two business hours.
- 2
Digital quantity takeoff
Estimators measure every item from calibrated plans in Bluebeam and PlanSwift, color-coding each layer so quantities can be traced back to the drawing.
- 3
Pricing and labor
Quantities are priced with location-adjusted material costs, crew productivity rates and equipment, then marked up to your overhead and profit targets.
- 4
Senior review and delivery
A second estimator audits quantities and pricing, documents assumptions and exclusions, and delivers your Excel workbook, PDF summary and marked-up plans.
Estimate types
What type of masonry estimating can you get?
Match the estimate to where your project is. Every option is priced as a flat fee before work begins.
- 01
Hard-bid masonry estimate
Unit counts, grout, mortar, steel, accessories, scaffold and labor for every wall type, organized by elevation and by floor.
Best for Masonry subcontractor bids
Precision±4–6%Turnaround48 hours - 02
Block and brick unit takeoff
Counts of each unit, shape and color with waste, delivered as a purchase list for suppliers and without labor.
Best for Masonry yards and contractors
PrecisionQuantities onlyTurnaround24 hours - 03
Veneer and facade budget
Brick, stone and cast-stone facade quantities with ties, relief angles and access, priced for early cost control.
Best for Design-development budgets
Precision±8–10%Turnaround24–48 hours - 04
Restoration and tuckpointing pricing
Repointing, unit replacement and cleaning for older buildings, measured per square foot of surface and per lineal foot of joint.
Best for Historic and repair work
Precision±8%Turnaround48 hours
On site and on the drawings
The work behind every masonry estimating
Tap any image to open it full screen.
98%
takeoff accuracy on awarded projects
Why LEEDS
Why contractors switch to LEEDS
An estimating desk that behaves like an extension of your team, not a software subscription.
Unit counts converted from wall area by size and joint thickness, with waste varying by unit type and cut density.
Grout quantities derived from which cells are filled, not from a rough cubic yards per wall guess.
Scaffold, hoists, mortar mixing and winter, protection priced from the building height and schedule.
Lintels, relief angles, flashing and weeps, counted as pieces and lineal feet from the wall sections.
ASTM C90, C216 and C270 requirements reviewed, so the unit type and mortar designation match the specification.
Reinforcing steel carried as a separate package, that ties to the rebar takeoff for the same structure.
Deliverables
What's included in your estimate package
Every deliverable is formatted so it can go straight into a proposal, a purchase order or an owner report.
- XLSX
Estimate workbook
Quantities, unit costs, labor hours and totals organized by CSI division, with subtotals, markups and a bid summary tab.
- PDF
Marked-up plans
Color-coded takeoff drawings showing exactly where every measured quantity came from.
- XLSX
Material procurement list
Consolidated material quantities with waste factors applied, ready to send to suppliers for quotes.
- XLSX
Labor hours by task
Crew-based labor hours and productivity rates so you can check the schedule against the estimate.
- PDF
Assumptions and exclusions log
Every clarification, allowance and exclusion documented so your proposal scope is defensible.
- PDF
Bid summary sheet
A proposal-ready one-page summary with overhead, profit, bonds and contingency applied.
Nationwide coverage
Local pricing in every US market
We adjust labor, material and equipment to the project zip code and account for the code, climate and logistics that drive cost in each region.
Union labor markets, dense urban logistics and strict code review priced in.
CTMEMANHNJNYPA+2Weather-dependent schedules and regional material supply reflected in every line.
ILINIAKSMIMNMO+5Fast-growth metros where subcontractor capacity, not material, drives price.
ALARDEFLGAKYLA+9Seismic detailing, energy codes and the highest labor rates in the country.
AKAZCACOHIIDMT+6FAQ
Masonry Estimating FAQs
Straight answers on scope, turnaround, pricing and deliverables.
How many CMU blocks are in a wall?
A standard 8x8x16 block covers 0.889 square feet of face including the mortar joint, so a wall needs about 1.125 blocks per square foot. We calculate from the actual wall area after openings, add waste for cuts and breakage, and break out special shapes such as corners and bond beam units.
Do you include grout and rebar in the masonry takeoff?
Yes. Grouted cells are measured from the reinforcing schedule in cubic yards, and vertical and horizontal reinforcement is listed in linear feet and pounds. We can deliver the steel separately for your supplier, and it ties to our rebar estimating services if the project needs both.
Can you estimate mixed masonry such as brick over block cavity walls?
Yes. Each wythe is measured separately and the cavity components, such as insulation, air barrier, ties, flashing and weeps, are added from the wall section. Labor is applied per wythe, since the production rates for face brick and backup block are quite different.
How do you price scaffolding for masonry?
Scaffold is sized from the wall elevations and building footprint, priced by the frame, erected square footage or month, and adjusted for mast climbers on taller walls. Hoist, material loading and enclosure for cold weather are included when the schedule or specification calls for them.
Do you handle restoration and tuckpointing work?
Yes. Repointing is measured in lineal feet of joint or square feet of wall, unit replacement by count, and cleaning by area. We also include scaffolding, mortar color matching, and lead or asbestos precautions when older buildings require them in the specification.
How fast can a masonry estimate be delivered?
Most commercial masonry packages are returned within 48 hours, and small block walls often in 24. Large facades with several brick colors, cast stone and pattern work take longer, and we confirm the date after seeing the elevations and details.
Related
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Blog
Insights from the estimating desk
Practical guidance on bidding, takeoffs and protecting margin.
Ready for a masonry estimating quote?
Upload your plans and get a fixed quote within 2 business hours. Most estimates are delivered in 24–48 hours.