What does a job laying block detail?
Question:i just want some details because i was considering taking it up as a job i just want to know about pay how demanding pro cons etc what a workday is like
Answers:
It is very tough on your hands, back and joints in general. You'll start off setting up scaffolding, moving materials and mixing mortar. You WILL get a workout every day. Once you get use to it and learn to pace yourself you'll enjoy it.
You'll spend most of your first few years setting block according to a string. The boss will set the leaders [corners] and you'll fill in with the stretchers. You'll need to master laying mortar with a trowel and the use of levels and tapes. You'll need to know the math of the trade and understand layout work. You should understand how your job interacts with the other trades.
If you like working outdoors regardless of the weather you'll like it. You'll work with a crew ranging from 2 or 3 up to 30 or more depending on size of the job.
Pay starting out is better than average. Once you master the trade you can make good money and could end up owning your own business.
Good luck
We just had block laid. I should say my husband just laid some and he hired a guy to help. The helper guy was actually a for-man for a foundation company. He said that his crew did a lot of traveling and worked 6 days a week generally. Its also pretty labor intensive. And my guess would be that the low man on the totem pole does all the grunt work.
pay should be pretty good but it is real work, backbreaking labor. dont worry, it is actually good for you!
Its hard work, but can be rewarding. Tou will propably start out as a masons tenor, mixing mud, setting up scaffolds and setting up block, I would say pay range is about $12 hr. From there you will work closely with a mason and start to lay block, you should be at about $15 hr here. Once you are a mason your pay range can be $18-$20 hr. If you learn it well enough to go on your own you can make about $2.00 -$2.25 a block plus installation of footings costs
In the building trade it is said that to be a good "brickie" one needs to have a strong back and a weak mind. You can fill in the blanks.
I sounds like you have never really worked in construction (no offense or anything) I've never laid block but I'm an electrician and face a lot of the same issues. You're main concern should be if you can handle the weather, working outside seems great now, I was working on units up on a roof today and loving life. But the other 10 months out of the year can be absolutly brutal and a test of character. Try to remember the coldest and hottest day you can remember, and now try and picture working 8 hours in it. But if you can handle it, brick laying will make you tough as nails. And a word of advice from someone that recently started in construction a few years ago, tradesmen are their own breed they will never ever say please or thank you or tell you that you are doing a good job, don't take it personal.
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