5 Tips for Awarding Masonry Scope of Work

1. Clearly define responsibility for caulking

Control joints and movement joints must be explicitly addressed. The masonry contractor should typically handle caulking within the body of the masonry work. However, best practice is to assign all perimeter and interface caulking to the caulking contractor to maintain consistency, warranty clarity, and quality control.

2. Confirm who installs welded door frames at CMU walls

Welded hollow metal frames at CMU openings can easily become a gray area. Depending on project conditions, assign this scope to the trade best suited for the installation—either the mason or the hollow metal contractor. The key is to make the responsibility explicit in the contract documents.

3. Assign grouting of hollow metal frames to the right trade

Masonry contractors are generally best positioned to grout hollow metal frames due to their equipment, materials, and sequencing within the CMU scope. Make sure this responsibility is clearly stated to avoid coordination issues later.

4. Verify substrate and waterproofing responsibilities

Confirm the substrate conditions and the waterproofing strategy for the masonry system. Each layer—substrate prep, air barrier, waterproofing, flashing, and masonry installation—should be clearly allocated to the appropriate contractor to eliminate scope gaps and warranty conflicts.

5. Account for return visits to infill CMU walls

Ensure the masonry contractor includes returning to infill any CMU walls that must be temporarily left open for equipment deliveries, material access, or late-stage installations. This work is often overlooked and can become a change order if not addressed upfront.