"Martinez Masonry did a fantastic job on my covered patio and they were extremely easy to work with. They stayed in constant communication with me and had the job finished in no time."
"great experience. The owner was exceptional to work with in getting the job done. He made special arrangements to work with me to schedule and complete the work. I highly recommend Outdoor Elegance, Inc for your outdoor paver project."
"Had crawlspace encapsulation done short time ago and very satisfied. Needed to have foundation stabilized and Sean S, Jake P, and Van P came to get that work done. Good job guys!"
"While expensive unfortunately it had to be done. Not that they are any more costly than other companies but it did seem like quite a hefty price for about 3 hours worth of work at over $1,000+ dollars per hour. Well aware of the type of cost that goes into equipment, materials, etc. but still seems a bit overpriced. All that being said, everyone from Steve that explained everything & set it up to Spencer, Oscar & Phillip that performed the job with great care & expertise to Adam with a follow-up visit on the same afternoon to make sure all was good, the team did exactly what I asked that had to be done bring our concrete aggregate front porch steps back to their original position from having settled about 5-6 inches and unlevel!! Would use them again if I had other issues that needed repair with regards to foundation/structural repair."
"Butler and Associates Construction did a wonderful job on our new driveway. They tore out the old cracked driveway and replaced it with a new smooth and solid surface for our family to enjoy. They were efficient, professional and treated our property with respect leaving a clean worksite each day. We get compliments on our new driveway almost every day from neighbors walking past. Can’t recommend Jonathan and his crew enough!"
"I hired frontier foundation systems to repair my foundation and their sister company Klaus for my new roof. Great group of guys who are as professional as the work they stand by, couldn't ask for better service."
Here at Bama Specialists, we are a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity and treats your home as if it were our own. We offer a variety of quality home improvement services. You will find us to be competitively priced with close attention to the details of each and every project that we are involved with. We look forward to building lasting relationships and guarantee your satisfaction!
While painting can certainly change the look of a chimney, you should think twice about giving your brick chimney the old landlord special.
Painting brick is porous, meaning it’s full of tiny holes that can soak up moisture. Those holes also allow it to dry, though. So, when you paint it, you trap any moisture inside, providing an opportunity for mold, mildew, and water damage.
Paint also shows wear faster than naked brick. This means that once you paint a brick surface, you’ll have to keep painting it to maintain a clean look. A paint job is also harder to undo on brick because of its porous nature. Once you paint it, it’s hard to go back without some serious power washing—another added cost.
You should generally drill into the mortar joints when installing shutters on brick. Mortar is softer, which makes drilling easier and puts less strain on your tools. It also lowers the risk of cracking a brick—something that’s a lot harder to fix. Mortar holds fasteners well enough for standard shutters, and if you ever need to patch the holes later, it’s a much simpler job than dealing with damaged brick. Just keep in mind that if your mortar joints are too thin or the hardware calls for brick anchoring, you'll need to check the manufacturer’s recommendations and adjust accordingly.
Natural stone is formed in deep layers of the Earth through natural processes over thousands of years. The solid composition formations become massive rock beds, or quarries, from which miners extract them.
Cutting stone comes with a number of safety hazards. First and foremost, if you’re not comfortable with the equipment required to cut stone, including blades and grinders, you could easily injure yourself. The heavy machinery also poses a risk to your ears if you don’t wear proper ear protection; similarly, you need to wear eye protection to keep debris from irritating your eyes.
However, the biggest risk from cutting stone comes from the stone dust. When breathed in, stone dust can be a huge hazard to your lungs. Always wear a face mask when cutting stone to prevent inhaling stone dust, and thoroughly clean the work area when you are finished.
To avoid injury, we recommend hiring a stone-cutting professional, rather than attempting this job yourself.
Yes, limewash on brick can accumulate dust over time. Its porous nature can attract dust particles, especially in environments with high levels of dust or dirt. Additionally, if the limewash surface is left unsealed, it may be more prone to collecting dust. Additionally, incorrectly applied limewash will generate dust. Causes include applying it too thickly instead of thin layers and not allowing enough drying time between layers. Regular maintenance, such as gentle cleaning or dusting, can help mitigate dusty issues.
The Gurley, AL homeowners’ guide to masonry services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Door or window lintel replacement costs $400 on average, but there are ways you can save. On the other hand, complicated work will increase costs considerably.
This guide features information on the costs to repair a brick wall, whether or not you need a brick mason to complete spalling, tuckpointing, or a full restoration.
Need to repoint brick in your home to make your home look fresh and new? Use this guide to repointing brick cost to price out your project before starting.
Discover the wide variety of masonry materials for your next home upgrade project. Our guide covers the different types of materials to choose from and more.
When it comes to masonry versus concrete, it can be easy to confuse the two. Use this guide to learn about the differences in appearance, strength, and more.