From Laborer To Mason

joker1977

First and foremost being a new member to the community let me say hi. For the past 4 years I have been a labor doing residential work here in ashland ky.I would describe myself as motivated , hardworking, with the willingness to see my mistakes and learn from them. For the last 5 months I have gotten a considerable amount of time on the wall. Now I'm averaging 200 to 300 brick a day depending on the amount of laboring I had to do. I have laid 12's, 8's, split 8's, natural rock and man made stone
With that out of the way here is my Question to all you seasoned professionals. Me and my wife are thinking about moving. And i'm wondering if my productivity is enough to get a job laying for someone else, or would i have to start over again. I'll be looking for something near louisville, ky. Any advice would be appreciated.

masonking02

man if your layin 300 block / split face your laying yourself off tha job, u want make many friends with the cut throats on the wall with you , its pretty slow in ohio/kentcky borders , u might make a better living laboring a little longer because of more work opps

joker1977

I think u might be misunderstanding me thats 300 brick not block im only at 70 80 block maybe 100. and theres only one other guy on the wall with me and thats the boss

stacker

i am a contractor.if you came to me with those numbers,i would put you to work as a laborer/apprentice.i would pay you about 11.00 hour.
i would be interested to know what you could do in an 8 hour day without interuptions of laboring.
most companies i have worked for,have wanted about 800 brick a day or more
and 250-300 block in a day.
what it all boils down to is getting product in the wall.you have to make money for the man you are working for.you cant let him or the others make your wages for you.if i am paying a mason 150.00 a day,i want 300.00 a day out of him.that not only pays his wages,but also laborer's wages.
right now i have 2 employees besides myself.one mason/laborer and one laborer.
i am paying out 20.50 an hour.$164.00 a day in wages.at 500.00 a thousand price i am charging i need 328 brick a day from that mason to pay his wages and the laborer's.and that count goes up for days that we dont get a full day of laying in,ie set up,scaffolding....
before you move i would test the waters,be truthful with your potential boss.when he asks how many a day you can lay tell him.dont tell him what i say when ppl ask me that question.i answer "all i can get my hands on!!"
you will more than likely get hired on as an apprentice and make 70% of mason wages,and build from there.
good luck.

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joker1977

Thank you, that was what I was looking for.

bobcaygeonjon

If you've only been laying for 5 month and are laying 300 per day whilst keeping the other mason working I think you are doing pretty good.

But, think very carefully before you leave your job. I would think about staying until you can truly hold your own. Especially with todays labor market

joker1977

Whats Avg pay for someone with my skills 4years tender, 5 month apprentice

Brickie

It depends on where you're at & whether your union or Nonunion.

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