EXTERIOR
How to Estimate a Masonry Wall
Contractor method for estimating a masonry wall by area, block, mortar, footing, reinforcement and labor.
A masonry wall is more than blocks. Count the blocks, then add mortar, footing, reinforcement and labor, all driven by the wall area.
THE SHORT ANSWER
How do you estimate a masonry wall?
Multiply length by height for the area, count the blocks, then add mortar, footing, rebar and labor. A 20 ft by 8 ft wall at 1.125 blocks/sq ft is 180 blocks and about $1,997.
Find the wall area
Multiply the wall length by its height. That area drives the block count and the labor.
Count the blocks
Blocks per unit of area vary by block size. A common rate is 1.125 blocks per sq ft for a standard 8-inch block.
- Wall area
- Blocks per unit
- Mortar per block
- Footing
Add mortar, footing and rebar
Mortar is per block, the footing is per linear unit, and vertical and horizontal rebar add a reinforcement cost.
Add labor and total
Labor is the wall area times a rate. A 160 sq ft wall with 180 blocks, mortar, footing, rebar and labor totals about $1,997. Use the Masonry Wall Cost Calculator.