Biggest Brick Job Of My Life

CJKarl

Was asked to bid a 4' high wall around a huge apartment complex. It's about 40K brick. I'm a very small outfit, but work is spotty here in the Northeast so I know I could call on all my other mason buddies to join me. Would any one in the northeast mind throwing out any sq.ft. prices? As usual I'm swinging for the fence to cover contingencies.

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lukachuki

All Newbies are the same!

Just not enough information to know how to answer. Pierced? Double wythe? Pillars? Serpentine? etc.

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Less with the jaw more with the paw!

CJKarl

Definitely a newb at figuring this particular project.

There are 17 two family units all connected. Each unit bumps in or out from it's neighbor by about 2 feet. 1369 linear ft.
Each of the 17 units has an entry portico the juts out 12'. This is included in the gross linear footage.
34 half piers to go under DRIVIT trim pieces...and capped off with a soldier course. But I'm going to recommend using KF Moulded sill pieces.
It's just over 4 ft high.
On existing brick shelf.
Great, flat site with good access.

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CJKarl

No windows or lintels. Just a main door on each unit.

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lukachuki

You see now I understand that I cannot help you as the wall you were referring to is attached to the structure and the around is literally around. I incorrectly assumed that you meant freestanding brick wall. I figure my freestanding masonry walls by the running foot sometimes, but we don't aspire to actually stick bricks onto a structure.

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JonM

Ivoryton...my favorite restaurant is located there... http://www.copperbeechinn.com/

....

BreyerConstruct

Can you think thru what it would take you (or you & a labor, other mason, etc.) to do one section of hte project, then multiply that out for the whole project? Then think thru any savings by doign the same tasks, but adding in extra time/,aterials for unknowns, and for dealing with the owners...

I don't mean to "teach" you or anything... we've had the opportunity to bid several larger projects in the last 2 years, and it's always forced me to break the project down into manageable steps, which I think is a lot more accurate that a sq. ft. number.

I know that I personally could do 100 to 1000 bricks a day, depending on the situation, location, and all of that.

In fact, for this project, it sounds like you have a handle on the material side- and should be able to get that number. So now it's time to "guess" at the labor time.

A soft rule we implemented this year at the bequest of our part time CFO is this: we shoot for every "standard" job to have 40% of the total price as materials, but realize that the materials may climb to 45%.
If you take this in mind, multiply your materials by 2.5, and see if that number jives with your worked-out estimate... if it's off, why?

Hope this helps- and best wishes!!
~Matt

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Crock

i'd go about 3 or so maybe even as high as 3??????????

Somebody help. It's got to be around 345- 355. Right?

DJ9222

If it was me i would charge $ 17.50 a sq ft. thats about what we get on Long Island

CJKarl

Thanks Matt, that's usually how I figure all my jobs. I "live with the prints for a few days and go OVER &OVER them. I always catch something I missed...Most of the times I catch something the architect missed.
The guy is hot to get a price, but I am a VERY good student of human nature and still need to feel him out. He called me Wed. and wants a price by Sun. night.
Work is slow, but we're not starving...And I also put quality of the finished product over the price. I would much rather work for nothing in the end than deliver a piece of crap. I've always done it that way. Of course when I 1st started I ate a couple jobs...but now I have carte blanche with all my customers. They know it's going to cost more up front, but they are still getting a better value.

Thanks again,

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dakzaag

CJ
I think you have a pretty good idea what you will need for the project. I am the same size business as you. I bid the big ones just like you, checking and rechecking.

The last one I did that was out of my legue, I scheduled in two progress payments and I wish I had done it more like three or four. Early on I was able to break away a do a small job here and there to help with cash flow. I ended the project on fumes and took a while to recover. I think a little more regular cash flow would have helped.

I did run into weather issues and that really slowed productivity so maybe I had several things that added up, but I found a big job can tie up a small guy for quite a while.

That advice and $1.25 will get you a cup of coffee up town.

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