Masonry: what bids leave out
Masonry bids often look close until you read what each one assumes. One bidder carries rebar, grout, embeds, flashing, scaffolding, winter protection and final cleaning. Another prices block and labor, says steel lintels and embeds are by others, and assumes warm weather and open access. Line them up on the same scope before you compare.
Level your masonry bids with this checklist →
Standard scope checklist
Send this to every bidder and ask them to mark each line Included, Excluded or give an Add $. Silence is not inclusion.
Sending it out? Use the free scope letter template to ask every bidder for line-item scope, inclusions, exclusions and alternates. Terms to know: exclusion.
| # | Scope item |
|---|---|
| 1 | Wall types and areas included (CMU, brick veneer, stone, screen walls) |
| 2 | Unit type, size, color and finish per spec, or approved equal |
| 3 | Mortar type and color |
| 4 | Vertical and horizontal reinforcing (rebar and joint reinforcement) |
| 5 | Grout: solid or cells as shown on the structural drawings |
| 6 | Bond beams and control joints |
| 7 | Lintels: steel angles or masonry lintels (furnish and install) |
| 8 | Embeds, anchor bolts and bearing plates set in masonry |
| 9 | Veneer ties and anchors |
| 10 | Through-wall flashing, weeps and drip edges |
| 11 | Air / water barrier and insulation in the cavity (if in masonry scope) |
| 12 | Caps, copings and sills |
| 13 | Setting door frames and other items built into the wall |
| 14 | Openings, sleeves and blockouts for MEP |
| 15 | Scaffolding, lifts and forklifts |
| 16 | Cold-weather and hot-weather protection |
| 17 | Mock-up panel and samples |
| 18 | Testing and inspections (prisms, grout samples), if required |
| 19 | Sealants at masonry joints (masonry or caulking sub) |
| 20 | Final cleaning of masonry |
| 21 | Water repellent / sealer |
| 22 | Debris removal and haul-off |
| 23 | Sales tax, bond and prevailing wage |
Common exclusions and how they are worded
| Exclusion | Typical wording | Why it matters | Typical cost to cover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reinforcing & grout |
| Rebar and grout are a big part of a CMU wall's cost and strength. Make every bidder price the reinforcing and grout shown on the structural drawings. | TBD |
| Lintels & embeds |
| Steel lintels, bearing plates and anchor bolts often fall between the masonry and steel bids. Decide who furnishes and who sets each one. | TBD |
| Flashing & weeps |
| Flashing is what keeps water out of the wall. It's cheap to include up front and very expensive to fix after the wall leaks. | TBD |
| Scaffolding & access |
| Scaffolding can be a real share of a masonry price. A bid that assumes someone else's scaffold isn't comparable to one that carries it. | TBD |
| Cold-weather protection |
| Laying masonry in cold weather needs heated enclosures and blankets. If the schedule runs through winter, get this priced now. | TBD |
| Built-in items |
| Frames, sleeves and boxes in masonry walls have to go in as the wall goes up. Confirm the mason sets them and who furnishes them. | TBD |
| Cleaning & sealer |
| New masonry needs washing to remove mortar smears, and some specs call for a sealer. Both are easy to leave out. | TBD |
| Testing & mock-up |
| Specs often ask for a sample panel and some testing. Ask whether either is carried and who pays for any third-party inspection the AHJ requires. | TBD |
| Caps, copings & sills |
| The top of the wall and window sills may be by the mason, the roofer or a precast supplier. Make sure one bid carries each. | TBD |
“Typical cost to cover” is TBD. We will publish ranges only once we have real, sourced data. Until then, use your own estimate or a confirmed add price from a bidder.
Questions to ask bidders
- Did you price all the reinforcing and grout shown on the structural drawings?
- Who furnishes and who sets lintels, embeds and anchor bolts?
- Is through-wall flashing with weeps included at every opening and base of wall?
- Is scaffolding included, and what access does your price assume?
- Does your price include cold-weather protection if work runs into winter?
- Are you setting door frames and MEP sleeves in the walls?
- Are final cleaning and any specified sealer included?
- Are the mock-up panel and any required testing included?
Bid-ready masonry contractors
Contractors who agree to price against the standard checklist above, with exclusions spelled out line by line. Listings are not live yet.
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Bids on the BidGaps checklist
Featured listing
Your company · City, ST
Bids on the BidGaps checklist