Looked up how much brick we actually lay in a day now versus 40 years ago

Was reading an old Bricklayers Union newsletter from 1984 my buddy found and they were averaging around 500-600 bricks a day back then. These days with better mortar and mixers we're pushing 800-900 easy but my back sure feels the difference. Any of you guys track your daily count or just go by feel?

3 comments

3 Comments

taylor6682mo ago

Buddy of mine laid 1,100 one day and couldn't move the next.

terry_lewis2122d ago

Tried pacing myself with a brick cart instead of carrying stacks all day. Kept a 5 gallon bucket half full of water and took a sip every 10 bricks, made myself sit down for a full 5 minutes every hour on the hour. Ended up around 900 by quitting time and could still walk to the truck without looking like I had a load in my pants.

jordan_young2mo ago

My uncle hit 950 one Friday back in 02 and spent the whole weekend on the couch with a heating pad and a beer in each hand. Said he learned his lesson but then bragged about it at the next union meeting. Truth is if you're counting bricks you're probably not having a great time. There's always that one guy who throws out a crazy number like 1,100 and then you see him walking like a penguin for a week.