What we take off
| Item | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CMU walls | SF and unit count | By size, type, and fully or partially grouted |
| Brick veneer | SF and unit count | Modular, utility or king size, with special shapes |
| Stone veneer | SF | Natural or manufactured, with corners and sills |
| Grout | CY | By cell spacing and wall thickness |
| Reinforcing | LF and tons | Vertical bars, bond beams, joint reinforcing |
| Lintels | LF, each | Precast, steel or masonry bond beam lintels |
| Accessories | LF, each | Ties, flashing, weeps, control joints, sealants |
Kansas masonry considerations
Storm shelters
Kansas lies in the 250 mph shelter design wind-speed zone. Under the 2015 and later International Building Code, many new K-12 schools and critical emergency facilities need ICC 500 storm shelters. Shelter walls are often fully grouted, heavily reinforced CMU, which changes grout, rebar and labor productivity compared with standard partitions. See public works bid estimating.
Cold-weather masonry
Masonry built in a Kansas winter often needs heated enclosures, heated materials and protection of newly laid work under cold-weather provisions in the referenced masonry standards. We price winter protection when the schedule requires it.
Historic and existing buildings
Older downtowns in Topeka, Lawrence, Salina and Hutchinson include historic brick and limestone buildings. Tuckpointing, matching historic mortar and replacing units carry their own productivity. Projects near listed properties in Kansas may also trigger state historic preservation review.
Productivity factors
Masonry labor depends heavily on wall height, scaffolding, unit size, pattern, openings and weather. We price labor by crew-days for each wall type rather than a flat unit cost, so your estimate reflects real conditions.
Related trades
Concrete for footings and foundations, structural steel for lintels and embeds. Contractors in Topeka and Lawrence see frequent masonry restoration work.
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks are in a square foot?
About 6.75 modular bricks per square foot of wall with a standard 3/8 inch joint. CMU is about 1.125 standard 8 by 16 inch blocks per square foot. We add waste and break out special shapes.
Do you estimate grout and rebar in CMU walls?
Yes. We calculate grout by cell spacing and wall thickness, and vertical and horizontal reinforcing by size and spacing, including bond beams and lintels.
Do you price storm shelter masonry?
Yes. ICC 500 storm shelters, required in many new Kansas schools, often use fully grouted reinforced CMU walls with special connections and protective doors, which we price specifically.