Real Stone Sheet Labor Numbers and Speed ​​of Work: Mason and Client Perspectives

At a glance at the title, one might think that what is good for the bricklayer is contrary to, or in conflict with, what is good for the client. In this article I am going to try to rationalize why that is NOT true: why the victory for one party is NOT the loss for the other party.

In reality, the dynamics throughout the real stone and real stone veneer market have changed, and life can be a win-win for everyone involved.

This is what I’m talking about…

First of all, it’s hard for me to understand why the labor cost to install real stone thin veneer would be any different than the cost to put manufactured stone thin veneer (but there seems to be some margin). If you break stone made to fit, you have trouble hiding the cut end; whereas if you cut a thin veneer of real stone you don’t have that problem. The guys who are good at it tell me they can put down an equivalent amount of real or faux stone veneer in a day. The only thing I can think of is that some contractors may charge more to put up rock thin siding because of the “perceived value” of the final job. Obviously, thin real stone veneer (especially high quality; with natural tops, backs and ends) will look like a full bed depth work in real stone. There is no comparison between that look and the fake. Since clients generally pay a bit more for a thin veneer of real stone than a fake, I’m guessing some contractors will try to get what the market will allow. My prediction is that when the number of people used to and experienced in putting up stone-thin siding equals the number of people with experience in putting up fakes, I think we will definitely see labor rates go down.

I think a lot of it has to do with just understanding reality, and it mostly comes down to education. What needs to happen is a paradigm shift in people’s thinking. Once the experienced masons know that the philosophy I’m trying to impart to them is a win/win/win/win situation, I hope a light bulb will go on and we’ll all live happily ever after.

This is what I’m talking about in real numbers. The day your average mason realizes the following facts and turns the numbers into acceptable logic, we will see labor rates fall.

Installation time for real stone veneer is almost the same as fabricated (faux) stone veneer.

The average mason can place approximately (4) times more thin sheet metal in a day than full bed depth stone. Typically, this equates to 160 feet per day vs. 40. As a bonus, the customer is elated that the labor “clutter” is in their home or workplace for only 1/4 of the previous period.

Logic says that if a masonry installer wanted to make exactly the same amount of money per day installing thin veneer as they used to make installing a full bed depth mantel, they could (should) charge ¼ the price.

Just a little deeper: if a mason laid 40 sq. ft. real stone foot deep mantel full bed in one day and charged $25 per square foot. foot the labor bill for the day would be $1,000.

Similarly, if that same mason is ugly (4) times more thin sheet metal in a day (real or fake), and charges ¼ his normal rate, or $6.25 per square foot. foot for labor, your labor bill for the day would be the same $1,000.

If $1,000 a day was acceptable earnings to install a full bed, why wouldn’t $1,000 a day be acceptable to install thin veneer? And why should there be any difference whether the thin veneer was real stone or fake stone? The question is why would a painter charge differently for painting with green paint than for painting with red paint?

Does the bricklayer want more?: he charges 1/3 of the previous rate, $8.33 per square meter. foot and earns $1,332.80 for the days of work.

As a disclaimer: the numbers above are for illustrative purposes only. Labor rates are diverse throughout the United States, and certain locations cost more than others due to many factors.

Also, I’m the first to agree and say that not all masons are created equal, and you pretty much get what you pay for. The final appearance of the work depends on the installer, not the stone, nor the architect, nor the person paying the bill. The three variables and subsequent parts may have good intentions, but the same stone will look different depending on the experience of the installer.

Just like I’m trying to share my thoughts and knowledge, I think if stone quarries, stone fabricators, stone wholesalers and retailers work together, we can also teach people in the installation trade how to better analyze this equation. .

First, they need to understand, accept, and be satisfied with the logic of numbers. Carefully phrased, it’s easy, not offensive. I hope I’m achieving that goal here because I have a goal for that group to read this message. The group (masons and sheet metal installers) is important to the very core of what I do for a living. Even though some do-it-yourselfers will install real stone thin veneers, most of the work is still done by professionals.

Second, they need to know how to install real stone wainscoting. I imagine “How To” classes by the stone patios taking the initiative to be instrumental. Anything that is well understood is perceived as easier to do and is actually easier to do.

Third, everyone must understand the concept that everyone wins.

I want the mason to understand that he is winning. He will make the same amount of money, or more, installing real stone veneer than anything else he does.

I want the mason to understand that if he is running a crew, his crew can get more jobs done in a year because each job is done 2-4 times faster. In effect, this means that his business could double, triple, or quadruple gross revenue. This logic is the same for the installer that runs by itself.

I want the bricklayer to realize and remember that you will get more jobs if your rates are more reasonable. Labor cost is materials plus labor. When labor decreases, the total cost of labor decreases. The lower the total cost of the job, the more jobs will be done because of the more people who can afford to hire the job. With budgets tighter than ever, a greater pool of potential customers is obviously a huge plus in today’s economy.

The quadruple victory?

The end consumer is paying less and getting more value for their spending, and more customers are buying stone.

Positive “word of mouth” publicity is created – the best kind! The bricklayer is actually making more money than before.

With more work done, Stone Yards and Building Material companies are selling more sheet metal to their contracting customers.

And my selfish reason to educate: we, the stonemason and the manufacturer, will sell more stone to our dealers.

If my philosophy (and the philosophy shared by many masonry contractors I respect) is not understood or accepted by the current working group of masonry contractors, then I predict that we as a group will be teaching a new group of people how to install.

I believe “if real stone veneer installers don’t become more competitive, other people will enter the job market, learn their trade, and take their business away.” People are moving towards jobs. So, if masons in the premium markets don’t notice, I warn you: beware!

Build with real stone and build forever…

There is no doubt that the market is moving from a tolerance for fake stone to a preference for real stone. Also, my opinion is that some people, like tile installers for example, will learn the trade and put down a really rock-thin tile for less money than the guys who control the market today. Also, with the weak economy and the desperation of other dealers, perhaps several other types of contractors will consider laying real stone thin veneer at a rate of $5-$10 per foot and be happy for the money. that they are winning

This is all positive news, if you didn’t get that feeling when you first read this article… read it again! (please)