Memorandum of Understanding for Masonry Projects

What a good one includes

• A detailed breakdown of specific masonry tasks, such as load-bearing brickwork, tuckpointing, or veneer installation, assigned to each partner.
• A clear list detailing who provides specific resources like scaffolding, mixers, brick towers, type N or S mortar, and the brick units themselves.
• Agreed-upon locations on the job site for storing pallets of bricks, sand piles, and silo mixers to avoid blocking other trades or violating safety codes.
• An outline of who manages the daily crew, who handles quality control checks, and who coordinates with the general contractor.
• A realistic schedule of phases, including cure times for mortar and specific deadlines for lintel installations or scaffolding teardowns.
• A mutual agreement on who is responsible for scraping mortar droppings, disposing of broken brick halves, and washing down the finished masonry.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Failing to specify who supplies and maintains heavy equipment like forklifts or scaffolding, leading to costly delays and finger-pointing on-site.
• Neglecting to define the exact standards of craftsmanship, such as acceptable mortar joint variations or brick color blending guidelines, which can trigger client rejections.
• Leaving water and power source logistics unaddressed, causing friction when crews compete for limited utilities needed for mixing and cutting.
• Forgetting to establish a quick, non-adversarial process for resolving on-site disagreements over work quality or scheduling conflicts.

Frequently asked questions