Commercial Masonry Contractor Services

Commercial masonry contractor services cover the full range of structural and finish work involving brick, block, stone, and related unit masonry materials on non-residential construction projects. This page defines the scope of those services, explains how masonry work is procured and executed on commercial jobsites, identifies the most common project scenarios, and outlines the decision boundaries between masonry trades and adjacent specialty trade contractors on commercial projects. Understanding these boundaries helps project owners, general contractors, and facilities managers select the right masonry scope and contractor classification for a given project.

Definition and scope

Commercial masonry encompasses the installation, repair, and restoration of structures built from discrete, mortar-bonded units — primarily concrete masonry units (CMU), clay brick, natural stone, and manufactured stone veneer. The work is performed by licensed or certified masonry contractors operating under the broader commercial construction services directory of specialty trades.

The Masonry Contractors Association of America (MCAA) classifies commercial masonry into four primary categories:

Structural masonry — load-bearing CMU or brick walls, shear walls, and retaining walls that carry gravity and lateral building loads.
Veneer and cladding — non-load-bearing brick or stone applied to a structural substrate (steel stud, concrete, or CMU backup) for weather protection and aesthetics.
Hardscaping and site masonry — plazas, pavers, retaining walls, and landscape walls tied to commercial site development. Related site scope is also addressed under commercial excavation and sitework contractors.
Restoration and repointing — tuckpointing, crack repair, cleaning, and sealing of existing masonry assemblies on historic or aging commercial structures.

Masonry work on commercial projects is governed by the requirements of the International Building Code (IBC), specifically Chapter 21, which establishes standards for masonry construction materials, design, and inspection. Many jurisdictions adopt the IBC directly; others amend it for local conditions. The Masonry Standards Joint Committee (MSJC) publishes TMS 402/602, the primary referenced masonry design and specification standard cited within the IBC (The Masonry Society, TMS 402/602).

How it works

Commercial masonry projects move through a structured sequence that parallels the broader commercial contractor bid process. The typical workflow proceeds as follows:

Design and specification — The project architect or structural engineer of record produces masonry drawings and specifications referencing ASTM material standards (e.g., ASTM C90 for load-bearing CMU, ASTM C216 for facing brick). These documents define unit size, strength class, mortar type, and grout requirements.
Takeoff and estimation — The masonry contractor quantifies units, mortar volume, reinforcing steel, and labor hours. CMU work is typically bid per square foot of wall area; cut-stone or custom brick ranges significantly higher per square foot due to material and labor complexity.
Procurement — Masonry materials have lead times that vary by region and product. Structural CMU is generally locally available; custom brick or imported stone may require 8–16-week lead times that must be reflected in the project schedule.
Inspection — The IBC requires Special Inspection of masonry on most commercial structures classified as Seismic Design Category C or higher (International Building Code, Chapter 17). Special inspection involves a third-party inspector verifying mortar consistency, grout consolidation, and reinforcing placement during construction — not after.
Closeout — The masonry contractor provides an as-built record of the work, documentation of material test results, and any applicable warranty. Warranty scope and duration are addressed further under commercial contractor warranty and guarantees.

The masonry trade typically operates as a subcontractor engaged by a general contractor rather than directly by the project owner, though design-build delivery models sometimes alter that chain. The division of responsibility between general contractor and masonry subcontractor is defined in the subcontract, which should reflect the AIA A401 or a comparable standard subcontract form.

Common scenarios

Commercial masonry services appear across a wide range of building types and project phases:

New construction of CMU-framed warehouses and industrial facilities — Single-story tilt-up and CMU construction is the dominant structural system for warehouses under 200,000 square feet. Masonry contractors install load-bearing CMU walls, bond beams, and lintels before roof framing begins. This scope overlaps with warehouse and distribution contractor services.
Brick veneer on office and mixed-use buildings — Brick cladding on steel-stud or CMU backup walls is among the most common exterior applications on mid-rise office and mixed-use projects. The veneer is not structural but must be tied to the backup with code-compliant anchors at defined spacing intervals per TMS 402.
Healthcare and institutional masonry — Hospitals, schools, and government buildings frequently specify full CMU construction for its fire resistance ratings and acoustic performance. Healthcare facility construction requirements are outlined further under healthcare facility contractor services.
Historic restoration and repointing — Repointing deteriorated mortar joints is one of the most common maintenance-driven masonry scopes. The National Park Service Preservation Brief 2 specifies that repointing mortar must match or be softer than the existing historic mortar to prevent spalling (NPS Preservation Brief 2).

Decision boundaries

Masonry vs. concrete contractor scope — Poured-in-place concrete foundations, slabs, and columns are performed by concrete contractors, not masonry contractors. The line falls at unit masonry: if the structural element is formed and poured monolithically, it is concrete work. If it is assembled from discrete mortar-bonded units, it is masonry. Both trades often work in sequence on the same project. See commercial concrete contractor services for the adjacent scope.

Masonry vs. steel framing scope — Load-bearing masonry and structural steel serve as alternative primary structural systems in most low- to mid-rise commercial buildings. Structural masonry is cost-competitive with steel framing in buildings up to approximately 4–6 stories where plan geometry is regular. Above that height or where large open spans are required, structural steel typically takes over. See commercial steel and structural contractors for that scope.

Licensed masonry contractors vs. general laborers — State licensing requirements for masonry contractors vary. As of the 2024 licensing survey published by the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA), 22 states require a dedicated specialty masonry license separate from a general contractor license (NASCLA). Projects in those states require verification of masonry-specific licensure before contract award. Credential verification procedures are covered under how to verify commercial contractor credentials.

Restoration vs. replacement threshold — The decision between repointing existing masonry and full wythe replacement depends on the percentage of deteriorated joints and unit integrity. Industry practice, as outlined by the MCAA, treats repointing as viable when joint deterioration is isolated to less than 30% of total wall area and the masonry units themselves are structurally sound. Beyond that threshold, panel replacement or full demolition and rebuild typically delivers better lifecycle value.

References

On this site

Core Topics

Reference

Other Pages

Contractor Services: Topic Context

In the network

Network

Authority Industries