#1 - How-to measure a plan

The easiest way to measure a plan for brick takeoffs is to divide each wall into one or more rectangles and triangles. Then calculate the square footage of each shape.

Formulas:

• Wall Height x Wall Length = Rectangle Square Feet
• Wall Height x Wall Length / 2 = Triangle Square Feet

The total of all measurements becomes your brick square footage takeoff.

#2 - How and Why to include waste in our takeoffs

There’s quite a bit of waste when laying brick, mainly from cuts at windows, doors and corners, and breakage from moving the brick around the house.

• One way to account for waste is to back-out the area of every window and door within our measurements, then add maybe a 10%-12% waste factor.
• Another way is to measure right through the windows and doors (excluding garage doors). This additional area becomes our waste factor.

#3 - How-to calculate the total number of bricks required

Before calculating this, we’ll need to know how many bricks there are per square foot of wall area. Since this number will vary based on the size of the brick, you’ll want to get this “lay-up” factor from your supplier.

Formula:

• Brick Square Footage x The Number of Bricks Per Square Foot = Total Number of Bricks

#4 - How-to calculate the total number of cubes to order

Before calculating this, we’ll need to know how many bricks there are per cube. Since this number will vary based on your brick selection, you’ll want to get this “packaging” number from your supplier.

Formula:

• Total Number of Bricks / The Number of Bricks Per Cube = Number of Cubes to Order

Excel Formulas for Brick Takeoffs

I’ve shown you a few formulas used in brick takeoffs. But, there’s really no reason to scratch these calculations on your plans while you’re measuring.

Since just about every estimator uses Excel at some point in their takeoffs, I’ve put together an Excel spreadsheet that does the calculations for you. I call it “Excel Formulas for Brick Takeoffs”, and you can have it for free.