How to Hire the Best Masonry Contractor for Your Project

You’re in the front yard when you notice something—the brick wall surrounding your property is falling apart! Sure, you could channel your inner Little Pig and get to building yourself, or better yet, you could hire a professional masonry contractor near you. These seasoned experts can tackle jobs like this with ease and, while hiring one can feel daunting, it’s easy if you follow these tips.

What Services Does a Masonry Contractor Offer?

General masonry contractors offer a wide variety of services, whereas specialty masonry contractors may only offer one or two specific service items related to a certain type of job or material.

Common services offered by a masonry contractor include:

• Brickwork: Construct or repair brick walls, fireplaces, chimneys, and walkways. Some may also offer tuckpointing and limewashing services.

• Stone masonry: Natural stone work is one of the most common services offered by a masonry contractor. This could include building, repairing, and replacing patios, decks, walkways, retaining walls, edging, and decorative facades.

• Concrete blocks: While masonry contractors may not offer full concrete services, concrete masonry units (CMUs) are used to construct walls and foundations.

• Chimney and fireplace: Most masonry contractors can inspect, repair, and even reconstruct chimneys and fireplaces.

• Retaining walls: Masonry contractors can build retaining walls using natural stone or other materials.

• Maintenance and repair: Most masonry contractors will take on smaller repair jobs. Some may also offer recurring service options for seasonal maintenance, such as sealing and cleaning.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Masonry Contractor?

Most masonry contractors charge $50 to $125 per hour, depending on the complexity of the project, or around $25 per square foot for repairs. Factors affecting the cost to hire a masonry contractor include project complexity or level of repair, material, structural design, height, permitting needs, and urgency. For example, brick repointing costs $400 to $2,500, whereas repairing a brick chimney could cost $1,000 to $3,500.

Tips for Hiring a Masonry Contractor

Because of the complexity in masonry projects and the drastic differences in pricing, there are some important tips you should follow when hiring a masonry contractor to ensure you get the best quality of work out of your budget.

1. Get Multiple Bids

Get bids from at least three different contractors. This is more than just an opportunity to get the best deal—it’s a chance to meet the contractors and get a sense of who they are.

You don’t have to just rely on your gut, either. If a contractor can’t explain to you what they think needs to be done and how they will tackle that project, don’t hire them. If they aren’t prepared to give you different bids based on materials and need, don’t hire them. If a contractor seems to contradict themselves, or if they come unprepared for your meeting, without samples and quotes, don’t hire them.

Your masonry contractor is going to be in your life for a period of time. You want to hire someone you feel good about on every level, which is why casting a wide net is so critical. 

2. Get References 

The masonry contractor you hire has to be trustworthy and reliable. A professional and experienced contractor will be able to provide you with the contact information of happy former customers eager to act as a reference for their work. 

If a contractor can’t connect you with people who can serve as a work reference, they may have left a trail of unhappy customers behind them. 

3. Ask Questions

You’re hiring a masonry contractor because, presumably, working with brick professionally isn’t something you’re an expert in. To that end, ask your masonry contractor any questions you may have about the project, the process, the materials they will use, and how they work. 

An experienced contractor can explain everything without leaving you feeling like you’re in over your head. Being able to communicate with your contractor is the first step towards an end result that will make you both happy. 

Not sure what to ask? Here are some options to get you started:

• Can you provide references? 

• Who will be managing the project? 

• Do you hire subcontractors? 

• Will you match my brick?

• Do you have insurance? 

• Do you use a contract? 

• Will you clean up after the project is finished?

4. Don’t Pick by Price Alone

Sometimes, a very low bid from a contractor might be too tempting to resist, but always compare that low bid to others you’ve received. If the low bid seems too good to be true, it might be—giving too low a bid can be a sign of a contractor willing to cut corners to get a job done. 

5. Check with the Better Business Bureau 

Contacting the Better Business Bureau about a contractor you’re eager to work with is a fast way to find out if other customers have filed complaints against them. A complaint doesn’t always mean your contractor was in the wrong, but it’s good to have information like this before making your final decision. 

6. Make Sure They Are Licensed, Insured, and Bonded

Make sure you ask every contractor you interview for bids for proof of their license and insurance. It’s illegal for a masonry contractor to work on jobs without a license, and insurance provides both you and the contractor’s employees with security. A bond gives you protection should the contractor fail to complete the job.

7. Set a Timeline

Before your professional begins work, find out how long they anticipate the job will take. Learning this timeline doesn’t just manage your own expectations, it sets the bar for a reasonable period of time in which you expect the project to be completed. If a contractor won’t set a timeline or give an estimate as to how long a project will take, that’s a red flag. 

8. Get It in Writing

Once you do find a contractor who you think is a good fit for the job, make sure that you break down the details of what you expect in a contract. Critical items to include in a contract are:

• The original bid 

• Itemized cost of materials and labor 

• Completion date 

• Payment options

Choosing the Right Masonry Contractor

To ensure you choose the right masonry contractor, be sure to check the following:

• Services: Masonry contractors may offer different services. Make sure the one you choose can complete the project you have.

• Material specialty: Some masonry contractors may specialize in certain materials/type of work.

• Reviews and testimonials: Satisfied past customers always ensure a better, smoother experience.

• Year of establishment: Though not always a rule of thumb, companies that have been around for longer may be more reliable than new companies with little experience.

• Licenses and insurance: You’d only want to work with licensed and insured masonry contractors.

• Service areas and travel fees: Some contractors may charge extra for traveling beyond their default service areas.

• Aftersale: Does this contractor provide warranty coverage after the job is complete? Do they provide a discounted maintenance package?

• Quotes: Always get multiple quotes, and stay alert if one is significantly lower or higher than the ones you get elsewhere.

By checking these items, you are more likely to find the right masonry contractor for your job.

After Your Masonry Contractor Has Finished

Ask your masonry contractor to do a full walkthrough with you to inspect the completed project. Make sure you get information on follow-up repairs, your contractor’s insurance coverage, and any warranty period. Since masonry requires regular maintenance, you should also see if your contractor offers a discounted seasonal maintenance package. It would be much easier to use the same company that did the original work or repair to handle maintenance.