Measuring Stone Work

In measuring the stone work it will be noticed that all corners are figured twice-that is, the length of the wall is taken from the outside. A tape line held at one corner and carried all round the wall, being forced into every angle and corner and wrapping round every point until the whole building has been gone over, is the usual way for masons to measure their work.

This, it will be seen, measures the external angles twice, a custom always allowed because of extra waste and trouble in building up a corner in stone work. The openings, are not deducted from the originial price, as it is usual in most places to count undressed rubble work solid throughout, as the cutting and trimming for jambs, lintels and sills more than make up for any saving in material or labor required to make solid the openings.

Sometimes, however, an agreement is made by which the openings are not counted, but under such agreement the mason is supposed to get a better price for his solid wall. Where the openings are 3x5 feet or less, the material man in most localities gets paid for the stone in the wall counted, as solid throughout. In openings larger than 3x5 feet half of them are allowed for.

These matters, however, are governed by custom, and custom makes law, for we have known judges in many instances to rule in favor of local custom when such ruling was in direct variance with previous rulings in similar cases in other localities. The wise tenderer will see to it that the matter of openings is settled before he sublets the building of the foundation walls.

Where the openings are 3x5 feet or less, the material man in most localities gets paid for the stone in the wall counted, as solid throughout. In openings larger than 3x5 feet half of them are allowed for.