Masonry Scope of Work: CMU, Brick, Mortar Types, and Veneer Anchor Coordination
What to put in a masonry scope of work — unit specs, mortar types, veneer anchors, flashing and weeps, cold-weather provisions, and the items routinely missed at buy-out.
Masonry is one of the few trades on a commercial project that is simultaneously structural, enclosing, and finished — which makes a complete masonry scope of work critical to project cost control. Whether you're scoping a single-wythe CMU backup wall, a full brick veneer system, a reinforced masonry shear wall, or a natural stone feature, the distinctions between structural and non-structural masonry, responsibility for accessories, and coordination with the structural engineer must be spelled out before the RFP. This template covers the key line items, package requirements, and coordination checkpoints every PM and estimator needs.
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Unit Types, Mortar, and Reinforcing Specifications
The line items that govern a masonry buy-out per TMS 402/602 — unit type and grade, mortar and grout per ASTM C270/C476, joint reinforcement, anchors and ties, and flashing all need to be explicit before the first course is laid.
Masonry scopes must define the wall system completely — unit type, mortar, reinforcing, accessories, and ties. Omitting any one of these elements opens the door to scope disputes.
Masonry Unit Types and Specifications
Concrete masonry units (CMU): Specify nominal size (8"×8"×16" standard; 4", 6", 8", 10", or 12" widths), weight category (normal, medium, or lightweight per ASTM C90), compressive strength (minimum 1,900 psi net area per ASTM C90), and texture (smooth, split-face, ground-face). For exposed exterior CMU, specify whether units are to be factory-sealed or painted.
Brick veneer: Specify modular brick size (3-5/8" × 2-1/4" × 7-5/8" standard), absorptance and color, compressive strength (per ASTM C216 Grade SW for severe weathering exposure), and whether brick is machine-made or hand-made. Define coursing height and bond pattern (running bond, Flemish, English, stack bond).
Natural stone: Granite, limestone, marble, or sandstone. Specify species, finish (honed, polished, thermal, sawn), thickness, unit size, and ASTM standard (C503 for marble, C615 for granite, C568 for limestone). Natural stone varies significantly in physical properties — do not spec stone type without confirming with the structural engineer for anchored systems.
Glass masonry units (glass block): For decorative or light-transmitting applications. Specify unit size, pattern, and ASTM C1272 for exterior applications. Glass block panels require expansion joints at specific intervals — confirm with the manufacturer's technical requirements.
Mortar, Grout, and Reinforcing
Mortar: Specify mortar type per ASTM C270 — Type S (most common for below-grade and exterior masonry requiring high strength) or Type N (for interior non-load-bearing partitions). Do not use Type M above grade on brick — it is too rigid and causes cracking. Portland cement-lime mortar is preferred for brick; masonry cement mortar for CMU.
Grout: Required for all reinforced masonry cells containing vertical reinforcing per ASTM C476. Specify coarse grout (for cells ≥3" × 3") or fine grout (for smaller cells). Grout slump must be 8"–11" to ensure cells are fully consolidated. Require grout lift and pour height per ACI 530.1 Section 3.5.
Horizontal joint reinforcing: Ladder or truss wire reinforcing per ASTM A951. Required in CMU backup walls at maximum 16" vertical spacing. Define wire gauge and width to match the wall thickness. Horizontal joint reinforcing is not the same as bed joint reinforcing in structural masonry — distinguish between the two in the scope.
Vertical reinforcing and dowels: Define rebar size, spacing, and lap requirements per the structural drawings. Vertical bars must be set before the masonry is laid — coordinate with the concrete or framing sub for base plate or slab dowels.
Anchors, Ties, and Flashing
Masonry anchors and ties: For brick veneer or stone veneer on a CMU or frame backup, specify the tie type (corrugated wire, adjustable two-piece, seismic-rated), spacing (maximum 2.67 sf per tie per TMS 402), and material (304 or 316 stainless steel for exterior applications). Adjustable two-piece ties are required where coursing alignment between veneer and backup is uncertain. On steel-framed backup, confirm the tie embed plates or weld-on receivers are in the structural steel sub's scope.
Flashing and weep holes: Base flashing at all shelf angles, above lintels, and at grade must be included in the masonry scope (or explicitly assigned to the waterproofing sub). Without flashing and weep holes at every cavity drainage point, water infiltration into the cavity is guaranteed. Specify flashing material: copper, zinc, or self-adhering modified bitumen membrane. Weep holes at 24" maximum spacing.
Lintels: Steel lintels over masonry openings must be specified by size (L3×3×¼" is a common minimum for single-wythe CMU) and protective coating (hot-dip galvanized ASTM A123 for exterior; shop-painted for interior). Lintels are frequently excluded from masonry bids — assign this responsibility explicitly.
Tip for PMs: Flashing and weep holes at cavity base conditions are the most consistently missed item in masonry scopes. Water infiltration through unprotected masonry cavities is the primary cause of masonry-related construction defect claims. If this is not explicitly in someone's scope, it will not be installed correctly.
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Common Masonry Scope Gaps at Buy-Out
Items routinely left out of masonry sub bids — mock-up panels, cold-weather provisions, scaffolding, special inspection, and joint tooling — that turn into change orders if they're not nailed down in the scope.
Masonry is a field-fabricated assembly — quality depends on mix design compliance, installer qualification, and inspection. Build these requirements into the package from the start.
Required Submittals
Product data for all masonry units: ASTM compliance certificates for CMU (C90), brick (C216), or stone (applicable ASTM standard)
Mortar mix design or pre-bagged mortar product data — confirming mortar type and conformance with ASTM C270
Grout mix design per ASTM C476 — 28-day compressive strength test results (minimum 2,000 psi)
Anchor and tie product data and approval documentation
Mock-up panel: a minimum 4'×4' mock-up in a visible location, to be approved before production begins. Mock-up must show coursing, joint tooling, color blending (for brick), and tie installation.
Control joint locations: shop drawing showing location and spacing of all control joints (for CMU, maximum 25 ft horizontal spacing; for brick, coordinate with structural expansion joint locations)
Quality Control and Inspection
Special inspection for masonry per IBC Section 1705.4 is required for most structural masonry applications. Specify the required special inspection level (Level 1 or Level 2) and confirm that the special inspector is retained by the owner, not the contractor.
Prism testing per ASTM C1314 is required to verify the specified masonry compressive strength (f'm). Require the masonry sub to construct test prisms at the beginning of production and whenever mix design or unit source changes.
Best Practices from Leading GCs
Require the masonry sub to submit a cold-weather and hot-weather masonry plan before mobilization per TMS 602 Article 1.8. Masonry work below 40°F requires heating, insulation blankets, and accelerated mortar mixes; above 90°F requires wetting, shading, and windbreaks. Cold-weather masonry work that is not protected properly will result in mortar freeze damage and structural failure.
Define joint tooling type in the scope — concave, rodded, vee, or grapevine. Joint tooling affects water resistance, and different profiles have very different performance in wet climates. Do not leave this to the mason's discretion on an exterior application.
Confirm scaffold requirements before the masonry sub prices the work. Scaffolding for masonry on a multi-storey facade is a significant cost item and may be provided by the GC (company-furnished, sub-installed) or the masonry sub. Make this explicit.
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Masonry Coordination with Structural, Waterproofing, and Window Trades
Interface items between the masonry sub and the structural engineer, shelf-angle supplier, waterproofing sub, and window installer that need to be defined upfront so coursing, anchorage, and flashing terminate cleanly.
Masonry coordinates most closely with the structural engineer, waterproofing sub, and the window/door installer.
Structural Coordination
Shelf angles for brick veneer or stone veneer must be designed by the structural engineer and included in the structural steel scope. The masonry sub sets the shelf angle bearing pad and lays brick from the shelf — confirm who supplies and installs the shelf angle bearing plate and any isolators.
For reinforced masonry shear walls, confirm that vertical rebar dowels are in place at the slab or foundation wall before masonry begins. Coordinate dowel locations, diameter, and embedment with the structural drawings.
Lintels, bond beams, and pilasters must be located per the structural drawings, not the architectural drawings — the two often show different reinforcing requirements. Use the structural drawings for all structural masonry requirements.
Window and Door Coordination
Masonry rough opening dimensions must match the window sub's frame dimensions. Provide the window schedule to the masonry sub before they begin and require them to field-verify rough opening sizes before window installation. CMU coursing is difficult to adjust after the fact.
For curtain wall and storefront systems set into masonry, the masonry sub must leave correct sill and jamb clearances (typically ½" to ¾" sealant joint). Define who provides and installs sill flashing at masonry window openings.
Pre-Installation Coordination Checklist
Structural drawings confirmed as IFC before masonry begins
Vertical rebar dowels set and inspected at slab or foundation
Shelf angles fabricated, galvanized, and confirmed for size per structural engineer
Mock-up panel built, reviewed, and approved
Control joint locations shown on shop drawing and approved
Window schedule issued to masonry sub for rough opening verification
Cold/hot weather masonry plan submitted and approved
Special inspector retained and inspection schedule confirmed with building authority
Tip for Estimators: When reviewing a masonry bid, verify that lintels, shelf angles, flashing, weep holes, and control joints are included. These items collectively represent a meaningful percentage of the masonry scope value and are frequently listed as excludes. A masonry bid without these items is not a complete price.
Masonry Scope of Work — FAQ
What mortar type should I specify for exterior masonry?
Per ASTM C270, Type S is the default for most exterior commercial work — it balances bond strength, workability, and weather resistance, and is required for most structural masonry. Type N is for interior non-load-bearing partitions. Avoid Type M above grade on brick veneer; it's too rigid for the brick's modulus and causes cracking and bond failure. Specify Portland cement-lime mortar for brick (better bond) and masonry cement mortar for CMU where economy matters more than maximum bond.
Whose scope is the shelf angle — masonry sub, structural steel, or the GC?
The shelf angle itself (engineered, fabricated, galvanized) almost always belongs in the structural steel scope because it requires P.Eng. design and weld-on attachment to the primary frame. The masonry sub sets the bearing pad, lays brick or stone from the angle, and installs the flashing over it. Spell this out: structural steel supplies and installs the angle; masonry sets the pad, lays courses, and installs the through-wall flashing. Isolation pads (neoprene or Korolath) between angle and masonry are commonly missed — assign them explicitly.
What's the most common scope gap on masonry buy-outs?
Through-wall flashing and weep holes at cavity base conditions. Masonry subs frequently exclude flashing as 'waterproofing scope' while waterproofing subs exclude it as 'masonry scope.' The result is no flashing at shelf angles, lintels, or grade — and water infiltration into the cavity within the first wet season. Assign flashing material (copper, zinc, self-adhered modified bitumen), end dams, weep hole spacing (24" max), and weep type (rope, tube, or open head joint) explicitly in one sub's scope.
Does the masonry sub install the veneer anchors or does the framing/steel sub?
The masonry sub installs the veneer ties themselves into the bed joints, but the backup attachment point is the other trade's responsibility. On CMU backup, ties embed directly into the masonry. On steel-stud backup, the framing sub provides the structural sheathing and the masonry sub screws ties through to the studs. On structural steel backup, the steel sub provides weld-on tie receivers or embed plates. Specify tie type (adjustable two-piece is standard), material (304 or 316 stainless for exterior), and maximum tributary area (2.67 sf per TMS 402) in the masonry scope.
When does cold-weather masonry protection kick in?
TMS 602 Article 1.8 defines cold-weather masonry as work performed when ambient temperature is below 40°F or expected to drop below 40°F within 24 hours of placement. Required protections escalate as temperature drops: heated mixing water above 32°F, heated masonry units below 25°F, and full enclosures with heat below 20°F. Require the sub to submit a cold-weather plan before mobilization between October and April in northern climates, and specify who pays for extreme-weather extensions.
What special inspection is required for structural masonry?
IBC Section 1705.4 requires special inspection for most structural masonry. Level 1 (periodic) covers most non-essential occupancies; Level 2 (continuous during placement) is required for essential facilities and seismic design categories D, E, and F. The special inspector verifies grout placement, mortar joint construction, reinforcing placement, and prism test results per ASTM C1314. Confirm the inspector is retained by the owner (not the masonry sub) and that the inspection schedule is in the buy-out package.
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