Brick, block and stone contracts, signed before the mortar's mixed
Masonry outlasts everyone who argues about it. The arguments come early: new brick that doesn't quite match the 1950s wall, mortar that dries lighter than the sample, a chimney that turns out to need more than a crown. SignMaster gets each of those understandings signed while the customer is standing next to the work, and the sealed copy is there in ten years when the house sells.
Updated November 9, 2026 · 3 min read
On this page
The paperwork behind brick, block and stone
- Proposal and contractWall, veneer, steps or chimney; the brick, block or stone; mortar type and color; cleaning method; who digs the footing and pulls the permit.
- Match acknowledgmentNew units and fresh mortar won't match weathered work exactly at first. The owner initials that they've seen the closest match you could find.
- Sample panel approvalCommercial specs often call for a mock-up panel the architect approves before production. On a house, a sample board does the same job.
- Chimney repairCrown, flashing, repointing or rebuild above the roofline, with a priced option for what you'll only see once the top courses come off.
- Retaining wallsHeight, length, drainage and backfill, and whose job the engineering and permit are where your building department asks for them.
- Subcontracts and lien waiversOn GC work: the subcontract, extra-work tickets, and a conditional lien waiver with every pay request.
Getting a sample panel approved
- 1
Photograph the panel
Shoot it in daylight with a tape for scale, and add the photos to the envelope as a PDF. The iPhone and iPad app can scan a printed submittal page next to it.
- 2
Add an Approve field
Put an Approve field under the photos, plus a text field for any comments the approver wants on record.
- 3
Set the order
The architect approves first, then the GC's project manager. Each person gets their link only when it's their turn.
- 4
Keep the record
When a production wall is questioned, the certificate shows who approved the panel, when, and from which IP address.
Weather and what's hidden in old masonry
Cold-weather work has a cost: heaters, blankets, enclosures. Put it in the contract as a priced line the owner ticks if the schedule slips into winter, and a calculated field adds it to the total. Conditional fields keep it hidden on summer jobs.
Old chimneys and foundations hide things. Write an allowance into the contract for damage you can't see from the roof, and when the top courses come off and the flue liner is cracked, send a change order with the price before you go further. The owner signs on your phone, or from a link if they're at work.
Crews and customers who speak Spanish
Many masonry crews and customers work in Spanish. Signers see the signing page, emails and consent in Spanish or any of 6 languages, while the contract stays the document you wrote, so keep a Spanish version of your template ready. This page is also in Spanish.
Pricing
Solo is $15 a month with unlimited envelopes, enough for an owner who bids and builds. Crew is $49 a month for 5 people, so estimators, foremen and the office all send from the same templates, and more seats are $8 a month each. New workspaces get 14 days of Crew free. Compare plans.
What SignMaster doesn't do
- It doesn't estimate units, mortar or labor. Bring your estimate as a PDF or type the numbers in.
- It doesn't engineer retaining walls or pull permits.
- It doesn't collect deposits or progress payments.
- It emails signing links; you can copy one and text it.
Questions? Answers.
Can an architect approve a sample panel through SignMaster?
Yes. Send photos of the panel with an Approve field, in a signing order with the architect first. They don't need an account.
How do I get a homeowner to accept that new brick won't match exactly?
Add a short match acknowledgment to the contract, with a photo of the sample against the old wall and an initials field. It's signed before you order brick.
Can I send lien waivers to the general contractor with each pay request?
Yes. Upload the waiver form your state or GC requires as a template and send one with each draw. The GC's office signs or files it from a link.
Can a customer sign in Spanish?
Yes. The signing page, emails and consent appear in Spanish for a Spanish-speaking signer. The contract text is whatever you upload, so send a Spanish version if that's what they'll read.