How to Estimate Masonry: Brick and Block Counts, Mortar and Labor
October 26, 2026 · 3 min read
Masonry estimates are built on unit counts. Once you know how many bricks or blocks fit in a square foot of wall, the rest of the estimate follows.
Units per square foot
| Unit | Units per sq ft (3/8" joint) |
|---|---|
| Modular brick | about 6.75 |
| Queen brick | about 5.8 |
| 8 × 8 × 16 CMU block | 1.125 |
Worked example: 40 ft block wall, 6 ft tall
Wall area: 40 × 6 = 240 sq ft. Blocks: 240 × 1.125 = 270. Add 5% for breakage and cuts: 283.5, so order 284 blocks.
Mortar: a common rule of thumb is one 70 lb bag of mortar mix for about 30 blocks. 284 ÷ 30 = 9.5, so plan on 10 bags. For brick, the rule is roughly 7 bags of masonry cement per 1,000 bricks — check your product's coverage.
Labor
If a mason and a tender together lay about 20 sq ft of block per hour on a straight wall: 240 ÷ 20 = 12 hours × 2 people = 24 labor-hours. Corners, pilasters and cuts slow that down.
Price it
The rates below are example numbers to show the math. Use your own supplier prices, labor costs and local permit fees.
| Line item | Quantity | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMU block | 284 | $2.50 | $710 |
| Mortar mix | 10 bags | $12/bag | $120 |
| Rebar & grout fill | Allowance | — | $300 |
| Labor (mason + tender) | 24 hrs | $55/hr | $1,320 |
| Scaffold / staging | Allowance | — | $150 |
| Subtotal | $2,600 | ||
| Overhead & profit (25% markup) | $650 | ||
| Total | $3,250 |
This example assumes the footing already exists. If you're pouring it, use the concrete cubic-yard formula and add it as its own line.
Weather and tuckpointing
Note in the proposal that work stops in freezing temperatures or heavy rain, and how that affects the schedule. For tuckpointing and repair jobs, price by square foot of joint area or by the hour, and say how you'll handle hidden damage found once old mortar is removed.
Send it before you leave
Once your numbers are set, the fastest way to win the job is to get the proposal in front of the customer while they're still thinking about it. With Quote Commander you can build the line items on site, text or email the proposal, and let the customer sign and pay a deposit from their phone. See how it works for masons and bricklayers, or read how to set your markup.
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 mortar joint.
How many concrete blocks are in a square foot?
An 8 × 8 × 16 block covers 0.89 sq ft, so you need 1.125 blocks per square foot of wall.
How much mortar do I need for a block wall?
A common rule of thumb is one 70 lb bag of mortar mix for about 30 blocks. Check the coverage on the product you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
About 6.75 modular bricks per square foot of wall with a standard 3/8 inch mortar joint.
An 8 × 8 × 16 block covers 0.89 sq ft, so you need 1.125 blocks per square foot of wall.
A common rule of thumb is one 70 lb bag of mortar mix for about 30 blocks. Check the coverage on the product you buy.
Put the paperwork in one place.
Create proposals, collect signatures, send invoices and keep client records in Quote Commander. New job-management tools are in preview. Solo stays $29/month and Pro $79/month, with annual options.