How To Compare Commercial Masonry Bids

Upon receiving commercial masonry proposals, many default to the middle option or the cheapest one. But before you judge based on that, let’s take a look at what actually drives the price and how you can accurately read the bid (and no, our advice won’t be to just choose the most expensive option!). Bids that look similar on the surface can differ significantly in scope, materials, and the assumptions built into the numbers. As a top-rated commercial masonry company in the Greater Boston area, our team has walked property managers and business owners through this comparison process many times, and a few consistent patterns tend to separate a solid bid from one that leads to change orders down the road.

TL;DR: Comparing commercial masonry bids accurately means looking past the bottom-line number to scope detail, material specifications, timeline, and credentials before making a decision.

Line Up Scope Of Work Line By Line

The first step is confirming that every bid is quoting the same job. A lower number often means less work is included, not that the contractor found a more efficient way to do the same thing. We like to imagine that most companies will provide honest bids, but there are certainly some shadier ones that may omit obvious add ons, and you won’t find out that it’s a separate fee until later in the job. Our best advice is to read through each proposal and note what's covered: demolition, disposal, staging or scaffolding, permit fees, and site protection for tenants or neighboring properties. Cross-comparing is also helpful because one company may include additional services upfront, which can prompt you to confirm rates by service with other companies.

Our ‘what goes into a masonry estimate’ article outlines the typical scope for projects like these, which can be a useful reference point when a bid feels thin on detail.

If one proposal is vague about square footage or leaves out a phase mentioned in your project brief, that's worth a direct question before comparing dollar figures. A detailed scope protects both sides from disputes once work begins.

Check What Materials Are Specified

Two bids can quote brick repointing at wildly different prices because one specifies a mortar mix matched to the building's age and the other doesn't mention mortar type at all. On older commercial buildings, matching mortar composition and hardness to the original masonry matters for how the wall performs over time. 

Ask each contractor to name the specific products or mix ratios they plan to use, not just the general task. The Brick Industry Association at gobrick.com publishes technical guidance on mortar types and brick specifications that can help you evaluate whether a bid's material choices are appropriate for your building.

Ask About Crew Size And Timeline

A bid's price is tied directly to labor, so it's reasonable to ask how many people will be on site and how long the project is expected to run. Our article on average masonry crew sizes breaks down what's typical for different project scales, which can help you spot a timeline that seems unrealistic for the crew being proposed. A bid with an aggressive schedule and a small crew size may be underestimating the labor hours involved, which often surfaces later as delays or added costs.

For occupied buildings, timeline questions extend beyond the calendar. Our post on planning masonry work around tenants covers how phasing and communication plans factor into a realistic schedule, and a contractor who hasn't addressed tenant coordination in their bid may not have fully scoped the job.

Verify Licensing And Insurance Before Signing

Every commercial masonry contractor working in Massachusetts should be able to provide proof of a current Construction Supervisor License along with general liability and workers' compensation coverage.

Confirm Construction Supervisor Licensing

You can confirm license status directly through the state's Construction Supervisor License lookup rather than relying on a business card or a claim made during the sales visit. This takes a few minutes and removes any guesswork about whether the person overseeing your project is properly credentialed.

Confirm Insurance Coverage

Ask for certificates of insurance naming your property as an additional insured, and confirm coverage amounts are appropriate for the scope of the project. A contractor who hesitates to provide this documentation before signing is a signal to pause and ask more questions.

Look Beyond Just The Masonry Bid Cost

Once scope, materials, timeline, and credentials are accounted for, the remaining price differences usually reflect the contractor's overhead, crew experience, and how much contingency is built into the number. A bid that's noticeably lower than the others after accounting for all of this deserves a closer look.

If a company is substantially lower, it’s possible that they don’t have the technical expertise. If you’re looking for masonry repair on a historic building, a general masonry contractor may have a lower estimate, but they don’t have the skills or experience to deal with the nuances of historic structures.

Looking for a Commercial Masonry Company in Boston? Call JMS Masonry & Restoration

JMS Masonry & Restoration provides commercial masonry to Boston, Cambridge, Newton, and the surrounding Greater Boston area, with proposals that spell out scope, materials, and timeline up front. Contact us to schedule a site visit and get a bid you can compare with confidence, or call 781-435-0498 to speak with our team directly.