DATA ON BRICKWORK

35. The following estimates on the cost of brickwork are very carefully compiled, and will be found trustworthy. It should be understood that the prices will vary with the cost of materials and labor; the proportions, however, will be constant. The figures are based on kiln, or actual, count; that is, with deductions for openings. When the work is measured with no deductions for openings, the cost per thousand may be assumed as about 15 per cent. less than the prices given, which are exclusive of scaffolding, hoisting, and builder’s profit. The scaffolding will cost, according to conditions of the structure and site, from 5 to 7 per cent. of the prices given.

Cost of Common Brickwork
per Thousand Bricks

Using 1-to-3 Lime Mortar
1,000 bricks$8.00
2 bushels of lime, at 25 cents per bushel.50
½ cubic yard of sand, at $1.50 per cubic yard.75
Bricklayer, 8 hours, at 55 cents per hour4.40
Laborer, 8 hours, at 25 cents per hour2.00
Total$15.65

Using 1-to-3 Portland-Cement Mortar
1,000 bricks$8.00
1 barrel of Portland cement2.00
½ cubic yard of sand.75
Bricklayer, 8 hours, at 55 cents per hour4.40
Laborer, 8 hours, at 25 cents per hour2.00
Total$17.15

Using 1-to-4 Lime-and-Cement Mortar
1,000 bricks$8.00
¾ bushel of lime, at 25 cents per bushel.19
½ cubic yard of sand.75
⅔ barrel of cement, at $2 per barrel1.34
Bricklayer, 8 hours, at 55 cents per hour4.40
Laborer, 8 hours, at 25 cents per hour2.00
Total$16.68

Cost of Straight, Pressed Brickwork,
per Thousand Bricks

Using Lime-Putty Mortar
1,000 pressed bricks, cost from $20 to $40 (average) $30.00
1½ bushels of lime.38
¼ cubic yard of fine sand.38
Bricklayer, 27 hours, at 60 cents per hour16.20
Laborer, 27 hours, at 25 cents per hour6.75
Total$53.71

ESTIMATING BRICKWORK

36. The following figures and method of estimating brickwork were supplied by an estimator of a large eastern contractor. The prices given include office expense and builder’s profit. The wages per hour on which these figures are based are: Bricklayers, 65 cents; hod carriers, 25 cents; and common laborers, 18 cents.

Following are mentioned four distinct classes of brick buildings, and in [Table IV] are given the labor prices per thousand brick for the various stories of buildings of these classes.

1. Absolutely plain factory buildings.