04 - Masonry
Masonry bid estimating, without the grind.
The masonry number is set by the grout pattern, the cavity-wall scope split, and the special-inspection requirement — not just the wall area. Drop in your package and get back a cited first-pass: CMU and brick by module-counted wall area, grout by cell-fill pattern, reinforcing by schedule, and the TMS/grout/cavity-wall RFIs that keep a masonry bid from losing on the details.
✓ PE-reviewable✓ Cited to source✓ Your masonry workflow
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REVIEWED
REVIEWED
Mobilization + scaffolding / mast climbersmeasure SF of wall area— cite
CMU — furnish + lay (by SF/wall type)measure SF of wall area— cite
Brick / stone veneer — furnish + laymeasure EA— cite
Mortar + groutmeasure CY— cite
Reinforcing — vertical bar, bond beams, joint reinforcementmeasure LF / TN— cite
6
governing codes
10
line-item groups
6
units of measure
6
risk flags
What it surfaces for masonry
Priced for the way masonry is actually bid.
The engine reads your package and flags exactly what bites masonry estimators — before it costs you.
Governing codes named: TMS 402/602 (building code requirements + spec for masonry structures, was ACI 530), ASTM C90 (CMU), C270 (mortar types M/S/N/O), C476 (grout), C216/C652 (brick), IBC Ch. 21 (adopted masonry provisions).
Line-item groups your bid breaks into: mobilization + scaffolding/mast climbers; CMU furnish+lay by SF/wall type; brick/stone veneer furnish+lay; mortar+grout; reinforcing (vertical bar, bond beams, joint reinforcement); veneer anchors/ties/flashing/weeps; lintels/bond beams/cast stone/sills; air/vapor barrier + cavity insulation; cleaning + sealing; cold/hot-weather protection.
The masonry risks ranked: grout/reinforcing pattern (solid vs. partial grout — a big cost swing, confirm before pricing); cavity-wall scope split (air barrier/flashing/insulation/anchors with the envelope trade); special inspection (loadbearing TMS 402 + prism testing); unit availability/color match (dye-lot); scaffolding/access; weather protection (TMS 602).
The RFIs drafted (verbatim): "Grout pattern: fully grouted, partially grouted (which cells), or ungrouted — and confirm the reinforcing schedule?" "Cavity-wall scope: are the air/vapor barrier, through-wall flashing, weeps, cavity insulation, and veneer anchors in the masonry scope or the envelope contractor's?" "Structural vs. veneer: is the CMU loadbearing/shear (TMS 402 special inspection) or non-structural?"
The trade's anatomy
Everything masonry needs, structured.
Line-item groups
Mobilization + scaffolding / mast climbersCMU — furnish + lay (by SF/wall type)Brick / stone veneer — furnish + layMortar + groutReinforcing — vertical bar, bond beams, joint reinforcementVeneer anchors, ties, flashing, weepsLintels / bond beams / cast stone / sillsAir/vapor barrier + cavity insulation (if in scope)Cleaning + sealing / water repellentCold-weather / hot-weather protection
Governing codes
TMS 402/602 · building code requirements + specification for masonry structures (was ACI 530)ASTM C90 · loadbearing concrete masonry units (CMU)ASTM C270 · mortar for unit masonry (types M/S/N/O)ASTM C476 · grout for masonryASTM C216 / C652 · facing brick / hollow brickIBC Ch. 21 · adopted masonry provisions
Units of measure
CMU / brick wall → SF of wall areaunits → EA (CMU / brick count by module)grout (grouted cells / bond beams) → CYreinforcing (vertical bar + horizontal joint reinf) → LF / TNveneer anchors / ties → EAcast stone / lintels / sills → EA or LF
The risks that usually bite
Grout / reinforcing patternCavity-wall scope splitSpecial inspection (loadbearing)Unit availability / color matchScaffolding / accessWeather protection
“"Masonry is a unit-count bid; I price the wall by the SF and the block count."”
The unit count is the floor. The margin lives in confirming the grout pattern (solid vs. partial is a real swing), splitting the cavity-wall scope cleanly, and budgeting the special-inspection/prism-testing line. The analysis surfaces those three up front, so the estimator prices the actual cell-fill and envelope handoff instead of inheriting a gap. Cited output hands clean to the masonry engineer/PE.
Run this on your own masonry package.
30 minutes. Bring a real set — a CMU structural wall, a brick veneer façade, or a job with an ambiguous cavity-wall scope — and watch the cited line items, the grout-pattern flags, and the inspection RFIs on your actual drawings.