What a masonry estimate is for
Masonry customers see the face of the work and none of what holds it up. An estimate that lists the grind-out depth, the mortar match, the base under a patio and the drainage behind a wall explains why your number is higher than a quick patch. It also records the color match conversation before anyone expects a perfect blend.
What to put on a masonry estimate
- Square feet of repointing or patio, with the height of the work.
- Mortar type and how you will match the color.
- Base depth and compaction for any hardscape.
- Drainage, steps and caps as their own lines.
- Scaffold or lift days for work above a ladder.
- What happens if hidden damage turns up behind the brick.
A worked example
A brick front wall with worn joints, about 80 sq ft by eye, and six spalled bricks near the downspout. The repointing line uses the calculator's typical price.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Repoint brick, grind out and refill mortar joints * | 80 | sq ft | $6.25 | $500.00 |
| Replace spalled bricks | 6 | each | Your price | |
| Mortar color match samples | 1 | each | Your price | |
| Fix downspout splash block | 1 | each | Your price |
The downspout is why those bricks spalled. Put it on the estimate, or the new bricks fail the same way.
* Typical price from our free brick repointing cost calculator, which lists its sources. Your own costs and market come first.
Line items masons use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Paver patio, laid on compacted base | sq ft | Paver style, color and pattern; base depth in the note. |
| Excavation and haul-off | cu yd | Dig depth and where the spoils go. |
| Compacted gravel base | ton | Depth after compaction. |
| Segmental retaining wall | sq ft | Face area; block style and caps. |
| Drain pipe and gravel behind wall | ft | Where the water outlets. |
| Repoint brick joints | sq ft | Grind out and refill; mortar type and color match. |
| Brick replacement | each | Spalled or cracked bricks swapped, matched as close as possible. |
| Chimney crown rebuild | each | Cast or formed crown with overhang. |
| Polymeric sand and sealer | sq ft | Joint sand swept and set; sealer if chosen. |
| Steps, block or stone | each | Per step; tread size and riser height. |
| Scaffold setup | day | For brick work above ladder height. |
| Permit and engineering | each | Walls over local height limits often need both. |
Terms and deposit language for masonry
- Deposit. A deposit at signing holds the start date and pays for pavers, block or brick ordered for the job. Home improvement deposit limits vary by state, so confirm yours.
- Payment. Balance due when the patio, wall or repair is finished and walked with the owner.
- Warranty. Say what you stand behind, like settling of a patio base or mortar joints letting go, and for how long. Leave out damage from frost heave the base was not built for, salt, and heavy vehicles.
- Buried lines, sprinkler pipe and invisible fences in the dig area are the owner's to locate before work starts.
- Efflorescence, the white bloom on new masonry, is normal and usually fades.
- Matching old brick and mortar is close, not exact.
How to fill it in
- Put in your business details once; this browser keeps them for every template.
- Fill in the customer and the job.
- Change the line items to fit this job and add your prices.
- Set tax, the deposit and the good-until date.
- Print to PDF, download Word or CSV, or send it from Koira.
Free tools for masonry
- Brick repointing cost calculator
- Asphalt sealcoating cost calculator
- Concrete block calculator
- Satellite measuring tool
The same estimate for other trades: appliance repair, auto detailing, carpentry, carpet cleaning, chimney, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, concrete, deck, drywall, duct cleaning, electrical, fence, flooring, garage door, general contractor, glass, gutter, handyman, holiday lighting, home inspection, hood cleaning, hvac, insulation, irrigation, junk removal, landscaping, lawn care, locksmith, moving, painting, pest control, plumbing, pool service, pressure washing, property maintenance, remodeling, restoration, roofing, security system, septic, siding, snow removal, solar, tile, tree service, water treatment, waterproofing, window cleaning, window and door.
More for masons: how masons run on Koira.