Why is masonry work so expensive?

• <div><p>Masonry work tends to be more expensive because the materials can be costly, such as natural stone and brick. Masonry is also very labor intensive, typically making up 50% or more of the final project cost. In addition, quality masonry work requires years of training and experience, as with any skilled trade.</p></div>

What kind of drill bit do I need for brick?

• <div><p>Drilling into brick or mortar requires the use of a masonry drill bit. Masonry drill bits appear similar to standard drill bits except for the leading tip of the bit. The tip has a bulky carbide arrow-shaped end slightly larger than the rest of the bit shaft. Standard or high-speed drill bits designed for making holes in wood or metal don’t have the ruggedness or design shape you need to drill into brick. They may not go through the brick at all, and if they do, they’re more likely to overheat, crack, or dull before you finish drilling.</p></div>

What are different types of masonry?

• <div><p>Two types of masonry are veneer masonry and solid masonry. Veneer masonry is thin brick or stone material attached to the face of a building. With veneer masonry, the walls support the weight of the masonry products rather than the masonry being built on a concrete footing. Solid masonry is a wall or other brick or stone structure built on a concrete footing, and the masonry supports itself.</p></div>

How much does mortar cost?

• <div><p>If you’re attempting to mix and pour your own mortar, expect to pay between $5 to $10 for an 80-pound bag of mix. The <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-repairing-brick-wall-cost.htm">cost to repair mortar</a>, however, can range from $300 to $500 for a 20-square-foot wall. The larger the area and the more extensive the repair, the higher the cost. </p></div>

How do you paint your brick house?

• <div><p>The premise for painting a brick building is fairly simple: Prime the bricks to <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/ask-angie-painting-chimney-good-idea.htm">seal the surface</a> and apply the top coat to protect your brick home. However, it’s easy to miss a few important steps if you’re starting from a raw brick surface and don’t know the basics of <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-paint-brick-home-exteriors.htm">how to paint brick</a>. So be sure to reach out to a local professional painter if you have any reservations about correctly painting your brick house. </p></div>

Top 10 Best Masons in Seward, AK

Q: How much does mortar cost?

• <div><p>If you&rsquo;re attempting to mix and pour your own mortar, expect to pay between $5 to $10 for an 80-pound bag of mix. The <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-repairing-brick-wall-cost.htm">cost to repair mortar</a>, however, can range from $300 to $500 for a 20-square-foot wall. The larger the area and the more extensive the repair, the higher the cost. </p></div>

Find Masons in Seward

Ram Jack West - Portland

9800 SE Fuller Rd

4.74(

)

Ram Jack West - Portland

9800 SE Fuller Rd

4.74(

)

Customers say: Super punctual

Recommended by 91% of Angi customers

At Ram Jack West, we treat customers with respect and care. If you notice cracks, damages, or other issues with your foundation, our team is ready to help. We have innovative systems that have been refined over our 40+ years of experience.

"Purchased a 1906 home in North Portland with an uneven foundation that had been patched for 60 years, but needed serious stabilization work. I contacted multiple foundation contractors in the greater-Portland area and Ram Jack was the only team that provided a full worse-case estimate that included everything that I may need to permanently stabilize the home's foundation. Other contractors' estimates were higher, omitted some of the features of Ram Jack's estimate, and involved greater excavation work around the home. While I was collecting estimates, I had multiple contractors check the levels on the house and could see the home was continuing to sink as much as half and inch in some areas within only a few months, so I knew I had to do something soon as the hotter summers are causing significant erosion to the clay soil in north portland. After paying the 50% down payment, I was quickly in touch with multiple project managers and structural engineers who were able to answer my questions as the work plan developed. I work from home and have two cats, so I was a bit worried about the noise and needing to leave at certain times during the work. Ramjack devised a plan of installing 12 helical piers from the basement and 2 outside for a small crawl space area as well as replacing most of the piers in the basement that had water damage. During the excavation and pier installation, I didn't have to leave my house at all, my cats were fine, none of the utilities ever needed to be turned off and none of the neighbors said they heard more than the hum of the generator outside; insane professionalism. The work team kept me informed at every step of the excavation and pier installation and was able to recover an inch of lift with only a few drywall cracks that I patched in a day. I could have gone further, but wanted to avoid any potential damage to the sewer pipes and stay within my budget. During the lifting, I was standing with the lead construction manager who kept me informed of every risk as we lifted the house bit by bit. During the excavation my basement looked insane with mounds of dirt everywhere, but the construction team cleaned everything flawlessly; all I had to do was a quick mop and the basement was good as new again. Overall had a great experience with RamJack; the 20 years in business shows, most everyone I dealt with had been working with them for years; the construction manager had been doing pier installation for 15 years. The work was expensive, but cheaper than the other local contractors, and certainly way cheaper than replacing the entire basement foundation. Ramjack was even able to take a few grand off the intitial worse-case estimate for solutions not needed. Glad I was able to repair my 120 year old home; here's to another 100 years. Big thanks to Pancho and Stephen, as well as the structural engineers and project managers; I'm very happy with the work."

Kevin S on March 2022

"Purchased a 1906 home in North Portland with an uneven foundation that had been patched for 60 years, but needed serious stabilization work. I contacted multiple foundation contractors in the greater-Portland area and Ram Jack was the only team that provided a full worse-case estimate that included everything that I may need to permanently stabilize the home's foundation. Other contractors' estimates were higher, omitted some of the features of Ram Jack's estimate, and involved greater excavation work around the home. While I was collecting estimates, I had multiple contractors check the levels on the house and could see the home was continuing to sink as much as half and inch in some areas within only a few months, so I knew I had to do something soon as the hotter summers are causing significant erosion to the clay soil in north portland. After paying the 50% down payment, I was quickly in touch with multiple project managers and structural engineers who were able to answer my questions as the work plan developed. I work from home and have two cats, so I was a bit worried about the noise and needing to leave at certain times during the work. Ramjack devised a plan of installing 12 helical piers from the basement and 2 outside for a small crawl space area as well as replacing most of the piers in the basement that had water damage. During the excavation and pier installation, I didn't have to leave my house at all, my cats were fine, none of the utilities ever needed to be turned off and none of the neighbors said they heard more than the hum of the generator outside; insane professionalism. The work team kept me informed at every step of the excavation and pier installation and was able to recover an inch of lift with only a few drywall cracks that I patched in a day. I could have gone further, but wanted to avoid any potential damage to the sewer pipes and stay within my budget. During the lifting, I was standing with the lead construction manager who kept me informed of every risk as we lifted the house bit by bit. During the excavation my basement looked insane with mounds of dirt everywhere, but the construction team cleaned everything flawlessly; all I had to do was a quick mop and the basement was good as new again. Overall had a great experience with RamJack; the 20 years in business shows, most everyone I dealt with had been working with them for years; the construction manager had been doing pier installation for 15 years. The work was expensive, but cheaper than the other local contractors, and certainly way cheaper than replacing the entire basement foundation. Ramjack was even able to take a few grand off the intitial worse-case estimate for solutions not needed. Glad I was able to repair my 120 year old home; here's to another 100 years. Big thanks to Pancho and Stephen, as well as the structural engineers and project managers; I'm very happy with the work."

Kevin S on March 2022