The Fechino Files: Estimating Window Openings

Steven Fechino

You are estimating a project with 28 masonry openings.  

• 24 windows at 4’-6” by 6’- 0”.  
• 4 doors at 3’-0” by 7’-0”. 

You are short on time as usual; can you figure the openings solid to save time and make it work?  Here is an estimate of Masonry required to fill the openings. 

Assumptions: 

• Assume modular brick with a conversion of 6.868 brick per sf. 
• Assume modular brick at $340 per 1000 pieces. 
• Assume sand at $24.00 per ton, with only ¾ ton used, ¼ ton wasted on ground. 

• Assume straight wall production at 550 per day for this project. 
• Assume jam production at 80 lf per man per day for this project. 

Window and door Square footage for openings: 

• Width of 4.50’ x height of 6.0’ = 27 sf per opening 
• 27 sf per opening x 24 openings = 648 sf for all window openings. 

• Width of 3.0’ x height of 7.0’ = 21 sf per opening 
• 21 sf per opening x 4 openings = 84 sf for all door openings. 

Material Calculation: 

• Each window = 27 sf x 6.868 brick/sf = 186 brick per opening x 24 openings = 4464 brick windows solid 
• Each door = 21 sf x 6.868 brick/sf = 145 brick per opening x 4 openings = 580 brick doors solid 

Jamb Labor: 

• Jamb length per window = 6.0’ x 2 (jambs per window) = 12 lf 
• 12 lf x 24 windows = 288 lf window jambs for project. 
• Jamb length per door = 7.0’ x 2 (jambs per door) = 14 lf 
• 14 lf x 4 doors = 56 lf door jambs for this project 

• Jambs for the project 288 lf + 56 lf = 344 lf window and door jambs for this project. 

Hidden Labor: 

Since all jambs will be every other brick returned, there will be a ½ brick at every other course. Modular brick is 2.25” tall plus the 3/8” mortar joint on one side = 2.625” or 0.219’. 

344 lf of jambs / .219’ (height of modular brick and 3/8” mortar joint) = 1186 brick that will be the total number of jamb brick.  Since every other course is a half brick and returns into the jamb, 1186 brick / 2 = 593 brick need to be used for the returns.  

Consideration:  

The openings have a total of 4464 brick for windows and 580 brick for doors if estimated solid.  This equals 5044 brick, adding 3 % waste the number becomes 5195 brick.  Since you figured it solid, you would probably only purchase 5000 brick at $340.00 per thousand brick at a total of $1700.00.  Of the $1700.00, you need to deduct 593 units for the jambs.  $1700.00 - $340.00 = $1360.00.  

In this case you will end up with approximately 4300 brick (waste was figured back in) remaining at the end of the project that must be removed, dumped or left.  The cost just for the materials is approximately $1300.00, you paid for this. 

With labor for this project at 550 pieces per day for the straight run you have 4407 brick filling the opening solid that you way you will lay in 8 days.  The jamb production is 80 lf or 400 pieces per day for jambs, you will have 1.5 days labor.  You gain 6.5 days labor overall, If mortar was purchased based on brick quantity, you would have approximately: 

• 1.5 day labor (1:1 journeyman, tender) (rates vary) 
• 4300 brick-$1360.00 

• 31 bags of mortar-$297.00 
• 3 tons of sand- $72.00 
• 200 brick ties-$90.00 
• Removal from site labor $200.00 Conservative depending on your location 
• Total for these items- $2019.00 

Taking out the openings, you can figure $2019 cost plus 1.5-day labor 1:1.  vs.  8-day labor for running openings solid. 

Two Labor rates: 

Crew cost of 850.00 per day (1:1) running solid = $8819.00 labor.   $8819.00 labor cost in estimate - $2019.00 cost for materials = $6800.00 that you are ahead of the game. 

Crew cost of 460.00per day (1:1) running solid = $3680.00 labor.   $3680.00 labor cost in estimate - $2019.00 cost for materials = $1661.00 that you are ahead of the game. 

Figuring the openings solid in a small commercial modular brick veneer can save you time and actually break a little better than even or if everything goes your way and make you a little money. 

Scaffolding, burden, foreman, overhead and crew cost vary tremendously across the country, therefor this is an example of process, not actual estimating.