Masonry contracting establishments are considered offices managing work at one or more constructions sites. While some of the larger masonry contractors serve customers from several offices over a wide territory, most firms are relatively small, privately or family-owned businesses serving local customers. Most masonry work is performed by specialists, with only about 6 percent contracted to firms primarily engaged in other construction specialties. Furthermore, some masonry specialists limit the scope of their business to specific materials such as brick, cement blocks, or stone. One of the largest masonry firms, works primarily in restoration and renovation projects.

Masonry contract work is done on a variety of structures. The industry is broken down by revenue as follows: single-family houses (26.0 percent), office buildings (12.5 percent), stores, restaurants, and gas stations (12.5 percent), industrial buildings (8.7 percent), schools (6.2 percent), apartment buildings (5.7 percent), houses (5.4 percent), hospitals (3.9 percent), other institutions (3.6 percent), warehouses (3.5 percent), heavy industrial facilities (2.2 percent), churches (2.0 percent), and other construction (7.8 percent). Of the total construction amounts, about 76 percent represented new construction, 24 percent additional alterations or reconstruction, and 10 percent maintenance and repair.

Masonry contracting companies all performed the necessary business functions of marketing, estimating, planning, scheduling, purchasing, accounting, and training. Since most contracts were secured on the basis of competitive bids, the estimation function was regarded as one of the most important in the business, requiring special skills and experience. Bids that were too high resulted in losing contracts to competitors, whereas jobs bid too low could result in losses for the contractor. Masonry was also subject to national, state, and city building codes, which required the full understanding and compliance of the masonry firm management and technicians.

In the early 2000s, payroll represented the main cost of operating masonry contractor businesses, representing roughly one-third of total revenues. The cost of building materials represented another one-third, and work subcontracted to other firms represented less than 10 percent of revenues. The balance went toward overhead and administrative costs.

Background and Development

Masonry had its origins in Mesopotamia around 4000 B.C., when mud or clay bricks were used in construction. In Egypt, around 2600 B.C., cut stone was introduced in the construction of religious facilities and monuments. These early stone works exhibited remarkable engineering skills as they included stone pieces of several tons in size which were fitted with exacting tolerances.

The Romans brought several innovations to stone construction techniques. They used mortar extensively and developed vaults and domes in large structures with buttresses to reinforce large-scale buildings. These features were later incorporated into Gothic cathedrals, which represented an unsurpassed artistic achievement in masonry workmanship.

The development of steel and reinforced concrete in the nineteenth century rendered stone arches and vaulting obsolete and led to the development of the modern skyscraper. In the twentieth century, the most common masonry application involved the use of concrete blocks, which proved both economical and durable. Moreover, concrete blocks provided excellent insulation against extreme temperatures and noise, were fire-resistant, stood up well in earthquakes, and needed little maintenance.

Much of the stone used in South African masonry projects—granite, limestone, marble, sandstone, and slate—was purchased from foreign sources, and a lesser amount of stone quarried in the South Africa was sold overseas. in 2010 Domestic stone production was valued at R1,97 bln.

Current Conditions

The early 2000s were not without trouble for masonry contractors, as well as for other construction specialties. The South Africa economic slowdown caused high office vacancy rates, which slowed office construction. At the same time, a slowdown in manufacturing pushed industrial and warehouse construction down as well. However, analysts predicted that commercial and industrial construction would rebound as early as 2023

Workforce

Steeped in centuries of tradition, masonry work required specialized skills and often, artistry. The homes, cathedrals, and other buildings masons helped produce prompted a high esteem for the profession and many masons derived considerable personal satisfaction from their creative efforts.

Formal apprenticeship and training programs for the industry were administered by the International Masonry Institute, an organization formed jointly by contractors in the masonry industry and the National Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen. Less formal training was also available through on-the-job guidance by senior, experienced masonry craftspersons.

In the early 2000s, construction workers comprised the majority of the industry’s work force, while about 10 percent performed a broader rage of business functions including estimating, engineering, planning and scheduling, purchasing, material control, and accounting. Although some seasoned masons had a broad range of skills and experience, from laying cement blocks to carving or repairing stone ornamentation, most specialized in one skill. Considerable physical strength was required for laying cement blocks, while stone work was more precise and therefore, required more patience and an eye for detail.

Several masonry methods and techniques led to changes in the industry. The development of modular stone wall panels for high-rise buildings, which consisted of steel frames, anchoring devices, and stone, glass, and other exterior materials, made construction of walls more speedy and economical. The modular process also enabled the use of thinner stone panels, leading to lighter and less costly materials.

An injection system for applying epoxy—used to secure threaded rods to reinforced brick masonry walls—helped make the walls better equipped to withstand the effects of an earthquake. Moreover, aqueous silicon solutions were introduced to new water repellents to help prevent damage to walls from conditions of absorbed moisture. Improved durability in concrete was achieved by adding supplementary materials made from industrial by-products, thereby conserving natural resources. Technological developments also resulted in using robots in the industry for excavating, pipe mapping, and building masonry walls and wall partitions