Masonry Material Takeoff Template
Download a masonry material takeoff template to track block, brick, mortar, grout, reinforcing steel, anchors, flashing, accessories, and project quantities.
Build More Consistent Masonry Material Takeoffs
A masonry material takeoff helps contractors turn plans, elevations, details, schedules, and field measurements into the quantities needed to estimate, purchase, and plan masonry work. A complete takeoff may include concrete masonry units, brick, stone, mortar, grout, reinforcing steel, anchors, flashing, weeps, control-joint materials, lintels, accessories, and other project-specific items.
This masonry material takeoff template gives masonry subcontractors a structured way to organize quantities by wall type, elevation, material, size, opening, reinforcing requirement, and drawing reference before pricing or procurement begins.
What Is a Masonry Material Takeoff?
A masonry material takeoff is a detailed list of the materials and quantities required to complete the masonry scope of a project. It is commonly prepared from architectural plans, structural drawings, wall sections, elevations, details, schedules, specifications, addenda, and field information.
Depending on the project, the takeoff may cover CMU walls, brick veneer, architectural block, stone veneer, grout, mortar, vertical and horizontal reinforcing, joint reinforcement, anchors, ties, flashing, weeps, lintels, insulation, control joints, sealants, and other masonry accessories.
When to Use a Masonry Material Takeoff Template
Use the template whenever masonry quantities need to be measured and organized consistently for estimating, procurement, project planning, fabrication, or change work.
- CMU wall takeoffs
- Brick veneer projects
- Architectural masonry bids
- Structural masonry work
- Interior block partitions
- Exterior masonry walls
- Stone veneer scopes
- Material-order preparation
- Reinforcing and grout takeoffs
- Change-order quantity calculations
Who Should Use This Template?
The template is designed for masonry contractors and specialty subcontractors responsible for estimating, purchasing, layout planning, and field production.
- Masonry estimators
- Company owners
- Project managers
- Preconstruction teams
- Purchasing staff
- Masonry foremen
- Operations managers
- Field supervisors reviewing material needs
What to Include in a Masonry Material Takeoff
A useful takeoff should separate units, mortar, grout, reinforcement, and accessories according to the measurements that drive each quantity. Wall area alone does not capture every masonry material required for the job.
| Takeoff Category | Typical Masonry Materials |
|---|---|
| Masonry units | Concrete masonry units, brick, architectural block, split-face block, glazed block, stone veneer, and specialty units |
| Mortar | Mortar materials or packaged mortar based on unit type, wall area, joint dimensions, and project requirements |
| Grout | Cell grout, bond-beam grout, lintel grout, and other grouted masonry quantities |
| Reinforcing steel | Vertical bars, horizontal bars, bond-beam reinforcement, dowels, laps, and related reinforcement |
| Joint reinforcement | Ladder or truss reinforcement and related accessories where specified |
| Anchors and ties | Veneer anchors, masonry ties, adjustable anchors, dovetail anchors, clips, and other connection hardware |
| Flashing and drainage | Through-wall flashing, cavity flashing, end dams, weeps, drainage mesh, and related accessories |
| Openings and lintels | Steel lintels, bond beams, reinforced lintels, masonry sills, precast units, and opening-related materials |
| Control and movement joints | Control-joint material, expansion-joint components, backer rod, sealant, and bond-break materials |
| Miscellaneous accessories | Insulation, cavity accessories, cleaners, pigments, water repellent, fasteners, shims, and other project-specific materials |
How to Complete a Masonry Material Takeoff
- Identify the current project documents. Record the drawing set, revision, addenda, specifications, wall types, elevations, and structural details used for the takeoff.
- Separate the project by wall type. Keep CMU, brick veneer, architectural block, stone, and other masonry systems distinct so quantities are easier to verify.
- Measure gross wall area. Calculate the length and height of each wall segment before accounting for openings.
- Deduct openings where appropriate. Record doors, windows, louvers, large penetrations, and other openings using the contractor's takeoff method.
- Convert net area into masonry units. Use the correct nominal unit size and project-specific coverage basis rather than assuming every masonry unit has the same face area.
- Take off reinforcement and grout separately. Track vertical bars, bond beams, dowels, laps, grouted cells, and reinforced lintels based on actual project requirements.
- Measure flashing, anchors, and accessories. Track wall ties, veneer anchors, flashing, weeps, control joints, lintels, and other accessories by the conditions that drive their quantities.
- Add waste or order allowance separately. Keep the measured quantity visible and apply material-specific waste or breakage allowances only where appropriate.
- Review the finished takeoff. Cross-check plans, elevations, wall sections, structural details, schedules, and specifications before pricing or ordering.
Example CMU Wall Takeoff
Wall Type M2, east elevation: Measure gross wall area from the structural and architectural dimensions, deduct qualifying openings, and convert the net area into the required CMU quantity based on the specified unit size. Track vertical reinforcing, bond-beam reinforcement, grout, control joints, lintels, and wall accessories separately instead of treating the wall as a single square-foot material quantity.
Masonry Material Takeoff Best Practices
- Record the drawing revision and addenda used for the takeoff.
- Separate CMU, brick, stone, and specialty masonry systems.
- Track gross wall area, deductions, and net wall area separately.
- Use the actual unit size and face coverage for each masonry product.
- Keep reinforcing steel and grout quantities separate from masonry-unit quantities.
- Review structural drawings for reinforcing, bond beams, dowels, lintels, and grouted cells.
- Cross-check elevations and wall sections for material changes, coursing, flashing, and cavity conditions.
- Count control joints, expansion joints, anchors, ties, and weeps as visible takeoff categories.
- Keep measured quantity separate from breakage, waste, and order allowance.
- Compare estimated quantities with actual material usage after project completion to improve future takeoffs.
Common Masonry Material Takeoff Mistakes
Using Gross Wall Area Without Reviewing Openings
Doors, windows, louvers, and large openings can materially change unit quantities. Keep gross area, deductions, and net area visible so the takeoff method can be reviewed.
Assuming All Masonry Units Have the Same Coverage
CMU, modular brick, utility brick, architectural units, and stone systems have different sizes and coverage. Use project-specific unit dimensions instead of a universal conversion factor.
Missing Reinforcing and Grout
A unit count does not capture reinforced cells, bond beams, dowels, lintels, laps, or grout quantities. Review structural details separately from architectural wall areas.
Forgetting Flashing and Weeps
Brick veneer and cavity-wall work may require flashing, end dams, weeps, drainage accessories, and related materials at specific conditions. Include these items based on the actual details.
Ignoring Control Joints
Control joints and movement joints can require dedicated materials, sealants, backer rods, and accessories. Count or measure them separately where they are part of the masonry scope.
Applying One Waste Percentage to Every Material
Masonry units, grout, mortar, reinforcing steel, flashing, and accessories do not have the same ordering considerations. Use material-specific allowances where needed.
Connecting Masonry Takeoffs With Estimating and Purchasing
A spreadsheet is a practical way to organize masonry quantities and keep takeoff assumptions visible. As bid volume increases, separate takeoff sheets, estimates, purchase information, jobs, expenses, and cost records can become harder to manage consistently.
SimplySub is construction management software built for subcontractors and specialty contractors. It helps teams manage estimates, jobs, purchase-order workflows, expenses, documents, and job-cost information from one platform, providing a more organized way to carry project information from estimating into production.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should be included in a masonry material takeoff?
A masonry takeoff may include block, brick, stone, mortar, grout, reinforcing steel, joint reinforcement, anchors, ties, flashing, weeps, lintels, control-joint materials, insulation, and other masonry accessories included in the contractor's scope.
How should masonry units be calculated?
Calculate the applicable net wall area and convert that area using the face coverage of the specified masonry unit. The correct conversion depends on the product dimensions, joint layout, and project requirements.
Should openings be deducted from masonry quantities?
Large doors, windows, louvers, and similar openings are commonly deducted when they materially reduce wall area, but the contractor's takeoff method may account for small openings differently. Keep deductions visible so the calculation can be reviewed.
How should grout be taken off?
Track grout based on the cells, bond beams, lintels, or other masonry cavities that are specified to be grouted. Do not assume the entire wall is grouted unless the project documents require it.
Should reinforcing steel be included in the same workbook?
Yes. A dedicated reinforcement section can track bar size, spacing, vertical bars, horizontal bars, bond beams, dowels, laps, and related reinforcement separately from the masonry-unit quantities.
Can a masonry takeoff be used for purchasing?
Yes. Once unit counts, reinforcement, grout, mortar, flashing, accessories, waste allowances, and project requirements have been reviewed, the takeoff can provide a useful basis for supplier pricing and purchase orders. Final product selections and availability should still be confirmed before ordering.
Turn Masonry Drawings Into Usable Material Quantities
A consistent masonry material takeoff gives contractors a clearer path from plans, elevations, and structural details to units, mortar, grout, reinforcing, flashing, anchors, ties, and accessory quantities. Keeping measurements and assumptions visible makes the takeoff easier to review and more useful for estimating, purchasing, field planning, and job-cost analysis.