They must be measured separately. The Standard System requires that different classes of brickwork—whether distinguished by material composition (e.g., clay vs. cement), finish (e.g., fair face vs. plastered), structural role (e.g., fire resistance), or unit size—are each described and measured as distinct items. This allows for appropriate pricing that reflects the cost variation in procurement, handling, laying method, and final finish. Grouping them would result in inaccurate cost recovery and could lead to claims or disputes during interim or final valuations.
No. “Fair face” brickwork is a specific finish classification intended to remain exposed in the completed building. It demands higher precision in jointing, alignment, and cleaning and is not covered by subsequent finishes like plaster. If plastering is to follow, the brickwork should be described as “brickwork to receive plaster.” This distinction ensures that the contractor’s pricing reflects the appropriate level of finish and avoids overpaying for workmanship that will ultimately be concealed.
It should be measured separately. Projections like piers, buttresses, or pilasters introduce additional complexity in setting out, bonding, and load transfer. They also often require reinforcement, shuttering, or temporary works. The Standard System stipulates that such elements be measured in cubic metres, distinct from the adjacent wall, and fully described in terms of dimensions and any differing finishes. This ensures clarity in both scope and pricing.
Yes—but only if each opening exceeds 0.5m². Smaller openings are deemed to be included in the gross wall area, in recognition of the minor effect they have on labour and material use. Where deductions are made, it's important to remember that the reveals, soffits, and sills associated with those openings must be measured separately in either square metres or linear metres, depending on the system in use. This provides an accurate reflection of the surface area that must still be constructed and finished.
Yes. Facebrick bands—especially those that serve a decorative or architectural purpose—must be measured separately in square metres. Their inclusion often involves different workmanship standards (e.g., fair face finish), alignment accuracy, and potentially even the use of brick specials. The BOQ should clearly describe the height, location, and type of band, whether they run at sill level, floor level, or at regular intervals across the façade.
Separately. While the two leaves of masonry are measured in square or cubic metres, the insulation layer—whether rigid boards, mineral wool batts, or spray foam—falls under a separate trade heading. The insulation’s thickness, fixing method (e.g., friction fit, adhesive, ties), and location must be clearly specified. This approach allows for accurate pricing, avoids assumptions about thermal performance, and reflects compliance with energy efficiency standards.
No. Toothed bonding or keying into existing masonry is considered specialist preparatory work and should be measured separately. These details often involve cutting into the existing wall, providing temporary support, and achieving precise brick alignment. Measurement may be in meters (for short junctions) or in square meters for longer keyed connections. The BOQ should describe the location, method (e.g., toothed bonding vs. starter bars), and the degree of reinforcement if applicable.
No. Curved masonry requires significantly more labour for layout, alignment, and cutting. It may also generate more waste due to the need for angled cuts and offcuts that can’t be reused. The radius of curvature and whether it’s convex or concave should be described in the BOQ, and the work must be measured separately from standard straight walling. This ensures that the contractor is compensated fairly for the additional skill and time required.
This should be treated as an extra-over item. Chamfers, splays, angles, and other non-orthogonal detailing increase the complexity of the work. They require additional setting out, cutting, and often result in increased waste. The Standard System allows for such work to be identified and measured separately—often as a linear metre item—so the cost of specialist detailing is recognised above the base brickwork rate.
No. Where masonry abuts existing construction—especially where bonding, structural tying, or keying is required—it should be measured as a separate item. This work often entails preparing the surface, inserting starter bars or wall ties, and aligning with the existing coursing, all of which introduce additional labour and quality risks. The BOQ should include a separate item described as “brickwork to tie into existing” or similar, to clearly separate it from free-standing or new wall elements.
They must be treated separately. Soldier courses (where bricks are laid vertically with their longest face exposed) are a decorative and structural detail that requires precise alignment and significantly more care in laying than standard stretcher bond. These courses affect both labour time and visual impact and must be measured in linear metres or square metres—separate from the surrounding face brickwork. The BOQ should clearly describe the orientation, extent, and whether special bricks are used.
Brick arches—whether rough or gauged—are not part of standard walling and must be measured as separate items. These are typically measured by number, with detailed descriptions covering their width, rise, form (e.g., semi-circular, segmental, flat arch), and brick finish (e.g., face brick or plastered). If key bricks or arch templates are required, or if the soffit is exposed, this must also be noted to ensure pricing includes the full complexity of the work.
No. Niches, recesses, alcoves, or other built-in openings are considered architectural features and must be measured separately—typically in number. The complexity of construction, including the setting out, forming of returns, and the clean finish expected from exposed face brick, warrants a separate rate. These items should be accompanied by a detailed description of dimensions, depth, bonding method, and any feature finishes or lintels.
Yes. Exposed reveals are measured separately as they require a higher level of finish, precision, and alignment compared to plastered reveals. Measurement may be in square metres or linear metres, depending on width and system used. They should be clearly described in the BOQ, including depth, bonding pattern, and whether any stop-ends, fair edges, or recessed frames are required.
This is measured under plastering, not masonry. The underlying face brick should still be described as the substrate, but once a finish is applied (like roughcast), it falls within the scope of a separate trade. The BOQ must include preparatory work—like cleaning or keying the face brick—if it's not already included, and the roughcast plaster must be measured in square metres, with texture and thickness described.
No. Copings—whether in brick, concrete, or stone—are measured separately in linear metres. They perform both an aesthetic and protective function and often involve different fixing methods, water-proofing detailing (e.g., throating or drip edges), and specific alignment. Descriptions should include size, bond (e.g., brick-on-edge), and whether they’re fair face or plastered. This avoids disputes over whether the contractor has allowed adequately for the more detailed finish and material requirements.
No. Movement joints are measured separately under masonry, either in linear metres or as extra-over items. They often require specific materials (e.g., compressible joint fillers, sealants, or proprietary expansion joint strips), and they interrupt the normal bond pattern. The BOQ should identify the joint type, spacing, depth, and material to ensure clarity on scope and rate build-up.
No. Lintels—whether precast concrete, steel, or formed from bricks-on-edge—are separate structural elements and must be itemised accordingly. The BOQ should describe the type, span, dimensions, and finish, and they may fall under Masonry, Concrete, or Structural Steel depending on the material and supply responsibility. Excluding them from the masonry rate ensures transparency in structural provisions.
Small openings (under 0.5m²) for services like pipe sleeves are generally not deducted from the walling quantity, as per the Standard System. However, if there is reinforcement, trimming, or lintelling required around the service zone—or if there are cumulative clusters of penetrations—these may need to be measured separately to account for the disruption to normal bricklaying sequences and the associated labour implications.
It must be measured separately. Horizontal reinforcement in masonry—such as brickforce, ladder-type reinforcements, or wire mesh—is not included in the brickwork rate and is measured in linear metres. The BOQ should specify the frequency (e.g., every third course), type, gauge, and location (e.g., both leaves or cavity only). This ensures that the contractor allows correctly for supply, cutting, and placement during bricklaying.
Yes. Mitred corners using specially fabricated bricks are significantly more complex than standard returns. They involve factory pre-cutting, increased wastage, and precision placement on-site. If the BOQ didn’t specify mitred corners or special shapes, and the contractor reasonably priced for standard construction, this constitutes a valid variation and must be measured separately with a distinct rate.
Weather-related precautions such as frost blankets, temporary heating, or curing protection are typically covered under preliminaries—not under the masonry rate—unless specifically included in the BOQ or project specifications. If such measures were instructed post-contract and weren't reasonably foreseeable, they may be priced as provisional or variation items with supporting evidence.
Not entirely. While the unit of measurement remains square or cubic metres, thin-joint blockwork is considered a different construction method with distinct adhesive systems, joint thickness, and setting times. The BOQ must clearly identify it as a separate item from traditional blockwork to allow for correct pricing of materials, labour, and tools (e.g., specialised trowels or applicators).
No. Any exposed or fair face element must be measured separately. Although structurally integrated, the finish treatment (exposed vs. plastered) and associated workmanship differ significantly. The pier should be measured as its own entity, with facebrick description, bonding method, and finish specified. Grouping it under plastered walling would also undervalue the precision and cleaning involved.
It requires separate measurement. Acid-washing and sealing are post-construction treatments that involve distinct labour, safety precautions, and timing. These tasks fall outside the scope of the face brick laying rate and should be itemised under a “Cleaning and Protection” heading, described in square metres with reference to chemical treatment type and application method. If excluded, they could become a source of late-stage claims.
