Brick Wall Calculator Project Checklist

Introduction

Ordering bricks is the point of no return: once the delivery ticket is signed, the count, the spec, and the timing are yours. This pre-order checklist is the final review — run it after the Brick Wall Calculator gives you a number and before you call the supplier. Every item catches a real failure mode documented in the common mistakes guide.

Print it, walk it with a pencil, and don’t order until every box is honestly checked.

Open the Brick Wall Calculator

Measurements Verified

Each straight run measured separately — length of the actual brick face, end to end (or pier face to pier face).
Height measured per run — from the top of the footing/ledge to the top of the brickwork, including the cap course.
All openings measured and deducted — every opening over ~1 sq ft (0.1 m²) at full clear width × height. Re-walk the sketch to confirm none were missed.
Piers and returns counted — each pier estimated (perimeter × height, plus cap), each return treated as its own short run.
Units consistent — everything in feet or everything in meters; no mixed ft/in inputs.
Course-count cross-check passed — (length ÷ 8 in) × (height ÷ 2.625 in) lands within ~10% of the calculator’s count. (Method: formula-explained guide.)

Wall Build-Up Confirmed

Wythe count correct — single vs double wythe confirmed against the design. (Forgetting the second wythe halves the order.)
Brick size confirmed — modular (6.55/sq ft) or a specified non-modular unit with its derived rate. (Spec: material guide.)
Bond pattern chosen — running, stack, Flemish, or English — and the waste % set to match (5–10% running; 10–15% Flemish/English or complex).
Mortar type specified — Type N default above grade; Type S/M where exposure or structure demands.
Structural details listed — wall ties, weep holes, flashing, lintels sized to spans, caps/coping. (Details: pro tips.)

Quantities Finalized

Brick count includes waste — the order quantity is the waste-inclusive, rounded-up number, not the net count.
Mortar calculated — bags (80 lb) ≈ bricks ÷ 1,000 × 7.5, rounded up, plus one spare bag. (Veneer-type joints: ~1 bag per 30–40 bricks.)
Rounded to supplier quantities — near a full pallet (~500–550)? Order the pallet. Small quantity? Confirm the supplier sells loose or partial.
Accessories on the ticket — ties, weeps, flashing, lintels, caps: every item either ordered or confirmed as already on hand.
Footing concrete estimated separately — brick estimate covers brickwork only; footing via the Concrete Calculator.

Supplier and Order

Two supplier quotes compared — same brick spec, delivery terms included. (Pricing: cost guide.)
Single batch requested — full quantity from one kiln run, confirmed on the order.
Delivery scheduled to the work — after the footing is poured and cured, not before; site access confirmed (truck size, offload method).
Storage planned — pallets on bearers, covered, off bare ground, clear of the work zone.
Delivery checked on arrival — pallet counts vs ticket before the truck leaves; damage photographed.

Site, Legal, and Weather

Permit question answered — building authority contacted; permit pulled or exemption confirmed in writing. (What to ask: code compliance guide.)
Zoning/HOA cleared — height, setback, and material rules checked; approvals in hand where required.
Property line known — survey confirmed for boundary-adjacent walls.
Utilities located — locate service called before any footing excavation.
Weather window checked — no freezing temperatures or heavy rain forecast for the laying days; protection plan ready if the forecast turns.
DIY-or-pro decided — and if hiring, the mason is booked with the start date coordinated to the delivery. (Framework: DIY vs pro.)

After Ordering: Protect the Estimate

Freeze the design. Any change to wall length, height, openings, or bond pattern after ordering invalidates the count. If the design must change, re-run the Brick Wall Calculator before amending the order — don’t estimate the delta in your head.
Keep the delivery ticket. It records the batch/run number — essential if you ever need matching bricks for repairs or extensions. Photograph the pallet labels on arrival.
Set aside repair stock. After the wall is built, keep a small quantity of leftover bricks (a dozen or two) dry and labeled. Future repairs with matching brick are worth far more than the shelf space.
Confirm the mortar matches the spec. Check the bag type (N, S, M) against the order when it arrives — grabbing the wrong type off the merchant’s shelf is a quiet, common error.
Reconfirm the weather window the day before laying starts. Mortar laid below ~40°F (4°C) won’t cure properly, and heavy rain damages fresh joints — have coverings ready or be prepared to stand down.

Related Guides

Brick Wall Calculator: Complete Guide — the full overview: terms, formulas, worked example.
Estimating Guide — the measurement technique behind the checklist.
Common Mistakes — every failure mode this checklist prevents.
Cost Guide — budgeting the order you’re about to place.
Code Compliance — permits and inspections before work starts.
Brick Wall Calculator FAQ — quick answers to last-minute questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I can’t check every box?

Then don’t order yet. The unchecked box names the risk: an unconfirmed wythe count risks half an order; an unanswered permit question risks a stop-work order. The checklist is cheap; the failures are not.

Should the mason review the checklist too?

Yes — walk it together. A good mason will confirm or correct the quantities, flag anything the estimate missed (access, staging, curing protection), and align the delivery with their start date.

How far ahead should I order?

Standard modular brick is usually stock; special colors, textures, or handmade units can carry lead times of weeks. Confirm availability and lead time when you take quotes — the schedule depends on it.

Get Your Number

Final pass: re-run the Brick Wall Calculator with the verified inputs, confirm the waste-inclusive order quantity one last time, and place the order with the checklist beside the phone. Measure twice, check the boxes, order once.

Disclaimer: This checklist supports planning estimates and does not replace professional review. Verify quantities with your supplier and consult a licensed professional or your local building authority for structural, permit, or code-related decisions.