"I highly recommend Tubman Stone Masonry for adherence to a high standard of quality and excellent craftsmanship in their work. They were prompt, reliable , and very detail oriented. They cleaned up at the cmpletion of each workday and maintained a neat and tidy environment. Sunny and his crew were always polite and simply outstanding. I will use them again and recommend them to neighbors, family, and friends. I am very pleased with the outcome of my front yard project."
"Very well. Team was helpful with suggestions, easy to work with. Very happy with finished job. I wouldn't use any one else for stone work, paving, etc."
"Natural Vibrations Inc. just completed our second project with them, conversion of a 1960s rumpus room into a junior ADU, including bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and dining space. It required thoughtful design, placement of lengthy sewer and water lines, extensive new electrical work, addition of a window, HVAC heat pump system, removal and replacement of new sheetrock, insulation, porcelain flooring, quartz countertops, appliances, fine carpentry including custom shelving, restoration of antique stained glass windows, tiling, and a versatile lighting system with spectrum-adjustable LED illumination. This was accomplished with minimal disruption and maximum attention to our input at every stage. We enjoyed their cheerful company and parted, once again, on the best of terms."
"We highly recommend Brian O'Neill. He replaced a rotting deck for us. He showed up when he said he would, he stayed on the job to the finish and stayed within our very tight budget. He is hard working and very honest. Very good workmanship too. We will definitely hire him again for the rest of the deck. Patt MB, Los Gatos, CA Project: Replace old deck"
"Vitoria Pavers is one of the best contractors I’ve ever hired. Very professional crews put customers first, always set a high standard of the quality of the job. I’m very impressed by their attention to detail. Communication and price was great too. I will definitely hire them for future work."
"Landscape Solutions did a great job and I would have them back again if I ever need additional work. They installed concrete and drainage in our backyard and walkway. This was a pretty extensive project that was done well. Not only are Scott and Norka (management) personable and honest, their workers are very pleasant and are happy to answer questions."
"Number one in communications and top attention in details. We worked with Geico Builders to build our addition, ADU and install pavers on the front of the house. Overall the process took us almost one year they were delays from the city of Oakland on approval plans despite that Victor went above and beyond and smooth all process once they got to actual building. He work hard to make progress easy on our addition especially with tough Inspectors. The quality of our new ADU well-built, and the bathroom has a great tile work with precise attention to details. Their price was not the cheapest one but for the amount of time and quality of work it’s very well deserved, we feel like we got good value for the money we paid. We do recommend Geico Builders and especially Victor to all who is looking for quality work."
"This Contractor is Licensed by the Contractors State License Board is in Good Standing. The Owner Tony and His Staff of Henry and Isidro all worked hard to replace the crown on my masonry chimney. Instead of just replacing the crown with mortar again they used steel and cement to install a larger and more solid crown. They also did additional work on the chimney to make it safer. They protected my gutters from damage while using their ladders along with tarps to protect my roof and the ground around the chimney. They also used a tarp where they were mixing the cement and took any dirty water with them instead of pouring on the ground. As a Retired Combination Building and Fire Inspector I can honestly said their an Excellent Company to use."
Mortar, or masonry mortar, is mainly used in joints and as parging for stone, brick, or cement construction. Stucco is primarily a surface material used as wall coverings. For maintenance, masonry will need repointing or replacing as damage or land shifting occurs, whereas stucco will need patching or refinishing as it tends to crack over time along with other types of wear-and-tear.
A traditional German schmear uses mortar, making it unsuitable for adherence to painted surfaces. Professionals recommend removing any existing paint before applying mortar. However, you can rough up the painted surface and clean it to test if the mortar will stick. Remember that the underlying paint's texture and color may affect the schmear's final appearance—so starting with a bare brick wall will ensure the ideal finish.
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 can hang holiday lights on brick without drilling by using hot glue, outdoor tape, or brick clips for your project. There are plenty of alternatives to consider, so consult a professional Christmas light installer to discuss the best options to preserve your brick exterior.
Brick stain doesn’t peel or chip and is much more durable than painting. That’s because the staining is absorbed into the brick instead of lingering on the surface as paint does. The color retains even under extreme weather conditions. Therefore, brick stain will save you a lot of time and cost on maintenance in the long run.
The Menlo Park, CA homeowners’ guide to masonry services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Foundation repair costs in San Francisco, CA can be tricky when you have a large repair on your hands. This guide walks through costs from small cracks to total replacement.
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.
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.
