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If you don’t plan and track your masonry project budget properly, you're setting yourself up for failure.
When we developed our strategy pack for masonry contractors, we saw a lot of masonry professionals struggling with finances and planning.
They were disorganized, had no grasp of cash flow, and were drowning in financial troubles despite having substantial contracts.
Don’t let this be you—stand out and succeed.
We’ve created a small, free tool to help you get started: our Budget Tracker and Planner. Let’s turn your masonry business's finances around and set you on the path to success!
Get the budget tracker tailored for masonry companies
Most masonry company owners don't know how to plan and track their budget. This spreadsheet will help you.
Example of a full budget for masonry companies
Here is an example of a (very) detailed budget for a masonry company, to give you some inspiration
1. Rent and Utilities
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | Lease for office and storage space | $2,500 | $30,000 |
| Electricity | Power consumption for office and equipment | $400 | $4,800 |
| Water | Water usage for mixing mortar and cleaning | $150 | $1,800 |
| Gas | Fuel for company vehicles | $600 | $7,200 |
| Internet & Phone | Internet service and business phone | $100 | $1,200 |
| Waste Removal | Debris and construction waste removal | $200 | $2,400 |
| Insurance | Property, liability, and workers' compensation insurance | $800 | $9,600 |
2. Salaries & Wages
| Position | Number of Employees | Monthly Cost per Employee | Total Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Manager | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $60,000 |
| Foreman | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 | $48,000 |
| Masons | 4 | $3,000 | $12,000 | $144,000 |
| Laborers | 4 | $2,500 | $10,000 | $120,000 |
| Office Administrator | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $36,000 |
3. Material Costs
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bricks & Blocks | Various types of bricks and blocks | $5,000 | $60,000 |
| Cement & Mortar | Cement, mortar mix, and additives | $3,000 | $36,000 |
| Sand & Gravel | Sand, gravel, and other aggregates | $1,500 | $18,000 |
| Reinforcement Materials | Rebar, wire mesh, and other reinforcements | $1,000 | $12,000 |
| Tools & Equipment | Hand tools, power tools, and machinery | $1,000 | $12,000 |
4. Marketing & Advertising
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Advertising | Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc. | $300 | $3,600 |
| Social Media Management | Managing social media accounts | $400 | $4,800 |
| Print Advertising | Flyers, posters, newspaper ads | $200 | $2,400 |
| Website Maintenance | Hosting, domain, updates | $100 | $1,200 |
| Email Marketing | Email campaigns and newsletters | $150 | $1,800 |
| Promotional Events | Special events and promotions | $200 | $2,400 |
5. Miscellaneous Expenses
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Maintenance | Regular maintenance of tools and machinery | $300 | $3,600 |
| Uniforms | Staff uniforms and safety gear | $200 | $2,400 |
| Licenses & Permits | Building permits, contractor licenses, etc. | $150 | $1,800 |
| Office Supplies | Stationery, pens, printer ink, etc. | $100 | $1,200 |
| Contingency Fund | Emergency repairs and unexpected costs | $500 | $6,000 |
| Staff Training | Training programs and materials | $200 | $2,400 |
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What are the biggest expenses for a masonry company?
Be mindful of these significant expenses. Here are five major costs every masonry company owner needs to consider, along with some tips on how to manage them effectively.
- Material costsThese can take up a large portion of your budget. You're dealing with materials like bricks, stones, and cement, and prices can fluctuate based on supply chain issues, quality, and market demand. To keep these costs in check, focus on bulk purchasing, negotiate better prices with suppliers, and minimize waste. It's easy to overspend by buying too much or opting for premium materials that don’t add enough value.
- Labor costsYour workforce is your backbone, but paying for their wages, benefits, and training can be expensive. This cost is always high because you need skilled masons to ensure quality work and meet project deadlines. You can optimize labor costs by scheduling efficiently, cross-training employees, and monitoring productivity. However, be careful not to underpay or overwork your staff, as this can lead to high turnover and poor workmanship.
- Equipment and tool costsQuality tools and machinery are essential for masonry work, but they can be costly. To optimize these expenses, invest in durable, high-quality equipment and maintain it regularly to avoid costly breakdowns. Overspending often happens when you purchase the latest high-tech gadgets that you don’t really need.
- MarketingYou need to promote your masonry services, but advertising can be pricey, whether it's online ads, social media campaigns, or traditional media. Optimize this expense by focusing on cost-effective methods like the ones we provide in our pack. Overspending can occur if you invest in flashy campaigns without a clear return on investment.
- Insurance and permitsThese are necessary to protect your business and comply with regulations, but they can add up quickly. To manage these costs, shop around for the best insurance rates and ensure you’re only paying for the coverage you need. Overspending can happen if you don’t regularly review and adjust your policies as your business grows.
How to spend less with your masonry contracting service?
Here are practical tips to help you, as a masonry company owner, optimize your budget and manage expenses more effectively.
| Expense | Tips to Optimize |
|---|---|
| Material Costs | Partner with local suppliers for bulk purchases of bricks, cement, and other materials at discounted rates. |
| Labor Costs | Implement a scheduling software to optimize worker hours and reduce overtime. |
| Utilities | Invest in energy-efficient tools and machinery to lower electricity consumption. |
| Marketing | Run social media campaigns for your masonry services and collaborate with local builders for referrals. |
| Safety Gear | Train staff on the proper use of safety gear to extend its lifespan and reduce replacement costs. |
| Equipment Maintenance | Set up a maintenance log for regular equipment checks and servicing to avoid costly repairs. |
| Rent/Mortgage | Negotiate lease terms during renewal or consider moving to a less expensive location. |
| Insurance | Regularly review insurance policies to ensure they meet current needs and compare rates annually. |
| Transportation | Plan delivery routes to maximize efficiency and reduce fuel costs. |
| Tools and Equipment | Invest in high-quality, durable tools that can withstand heavy use and reduce frequent replacements. |
| Staff Training | Conduct regular in-house training sessions and use free online resources to keep skills up-to-date. |
| Waste Management | Implement a waste tracking system to minimize material waste and recycle where possible. |
| Technology | Invest in project management software to streamline operations and improve efficiency. |
| Office Supplies | Purchase supplies in bulk and go paperless where possible with digital project management systems. |
| Inventory Management | Use inventory management software to track stock levels and reduce material wastage. |
| Pest Control | Schedule regular pest control services and maintain cleanliness standards to prevent infestations. |
| Uniforms | Choose durable, easy-to-clean uniforms and offer staff a stipend for maintenance instead of using an external service. |
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Expenses that are just useless for a masonry company
Yes, some expenses for your masonry company are just unnecessary. They don't contribute to increasing revenue or improving client satisfaction.
| Masonry Expense | Reason It's Useless |
|---|---|
| Luxury Office Space | High-end office spaces don't necessarily attract more clients and can be a drain on the budget. |
| Premium Tools | Unless you are working on specialized projects, most jobs can be completed with mid-range tools. |
| Excessive Material Inventory | Stockpiling materials increases storage costs and can lead to waste if not used promptly. |
| High-End Vehicles | Top-of-the-line vehicles are not always necessary and can be cost-prohibitive. |
| Paper Advertising | Traditional paper ads often have a lower return on investment. Don’t include them in the marketing strategy of your masonry company. |
| Multiple Uniform Styles | Having various uniform styles increases costs without adding significant value to the client experience. |
| Excessive Staff | Overstaffing leads to higher labor costs without necessarily improving service quality. |
| Premium Subscription Services | Expensive subscriptions for industry magazines or software often go unnoticed by clients. |
| Exclusive Materials | Using rare materials can inflate costs and complicate supply chains. |
| Costly Office Furniture | High-end office furniture is not always appreciated by clients and can be a significant expense. |
| Custom Printed Stationery | Personalized stationery is a minor detail that most clients overlook, and it can be expensive. |
| Unnecessary Software | Paying for software with features you don’t use is a waste of resources. |
| Premium Water Brands | Most clients are content with filtered tap water, making expensive bottled water unnecessary. |
| Extra Work Vehicles | Maintaining a larger fleet than needed increases operational costs. |
| Excessive Membership Fees | Paying for multiple industry memberships often yields little benefit. |
| Overly Frequent Renovations | Constantly updating office decor and layout can be costly and disrupt operations. |
| Expensive Office Decor | Elaborate office decor is often ignored by clients and adds to the cost. |
| High-End Office Supplies | Luxury office supplies are prone to damage and expensive to replace, often going unnoticed by clients. |
| Excessive Staff Meetings | Too many meetings can reduce productivity and increase labor costs. |
| Expensive Marketing Materials | Frequently redesigning marketing materials is costly and often unnecessary. |
| Unused Promotional Materials | Ordering more promotional items than needed leads to waste and unnecessary expense. Get our marketing budget planner template. |
| Paid Directory Listings | Many free listing options are available, making paid listings often redundant. |
| High-End Construction Equipment | Specialized construction equipment is often unnecessary and adds to costs without a proportional benefit. |
Stop working with a tight budget for your masonry contracting service!
Managing a budget for a masonry company when funds are tight can feel like a nightmare. It's like being trapped in a situation where any unexpected expense can set you back significantly.
This constant pressure makes it nearly impossible to invest in growth projects, leaving you always chasing after expenses. It's a life filled with stress and sleepless nights.
Yes, you can continue down this path, scraping together resources and barely making ends meet. But there's another part of the equation you might be overlooking. Instead of just trying to cut costs, you can focus on growing your revenue. More income means more breathing room and more money to invest in your business.
And no, you don't necessarily have to spend money to grow. There are plenty of zero-cost initiatives and strategies that can help you increase your revenue by 10%, 20%, or more. We've detailed all of these strategies in our guides, after studying dozens of masonry companies just like yours. Get them now!
Make your masonry contracting service more profitable
We have studied the strategies of the best masonry companies in the world. All their tactics are explained in our pack!
