"Awesome company, amazing job from the crew that worked on the brick walls of our home. My husband and I were aware of everything that was going on at all times, and Tony has been wonderful, along with the crew who was very respectful and friendly. The work is outstanding and exceeds our expectations. We will definitely keep them in mind for future projects and highly recommend G.I. Masonry."
"The best contractor ever. Very professional with an upbeat friendly personality. He did everything he said he would and more. His crew was the same. I highly recommend Andrew Cotter of Cotter Concrete."
"They were amazing and very quick to get done. My lawn looks amazing! It’s so pretty that it looks like a beautiful picture from a book. All my sprinklers are all working again and my valves are not leaking anymore. I’m very happy with the results."
"I recently hired Just Stamping Concrete for a landscaping project, and I must say that I was blown away by their work. Their team is highly skilled and knowledgeable, and they truly transformed my outdoor space into a beautiful oasis."
"I worked with Victor, They did an excellent job. I would highly recommend them, They are professional. on time. he knows the business. very honest with a fair price."
"Great experience! Very professional and project looks great! Would recommend!! Actually I did recommend them to other family! Very happy with finish. Repaired areas match finish perfectly."
No, it’s not recommended to attach shutters to brick without drilling. Brick is dense and built to last, so adhesives and shortcut methods don’t usually cut it. Even heavy-duty glue struggles to hold up over time—especially against wind, moisture, and temperature changes. Most no-drill options are made for materials like vinyl or wood, not solid masonry. Skipping the drill might seem easier, but it puts your shutters—and anything below them—at risk. For a secure, lasting install, drilling is the way to go. It takes more effort up front, but the result is safer and more reliable.
Initially, brick staining is not cheaper than painting. However, while it has a higher up-front cost, it may be more cost-effective in the long run. Brick stain can last for 20 years or longer, compared to paint, which usually starts to peel away in three to five years.
Unfortunately, there are many disadvantages to stone houses. They are slow to build and the materials are pricey, both of which balloon the total cost. Stone walls require a more robust foundation, which costs more to install. Running plumbing, electrical, and HVAC through a stone house is much more difficult too, so homeowners need to seriously consider if the aesthetic benefit is worth the cost of building with stone. One of the questions to ask a masonry contractor is if a similar aesthetic can be achieved with another material.
Stone houses used to be much more practical, but with the advent of stronger and cheaper materials like concrete, they aren’t seen as much anymore. There are some parts of the world where it makes sense to build with stone, and they are usually next to a stone quarry. Stone is, however, very weather-resistant, which is why many homes near the sea and on mountains are still built with local stone.
No, you shouldn’t lay bricks directly on dirt. While it might seem like a shortcut, it leads to a patio that shifts, sinks, and becomes a maintenance headache. Dirt expands, contracts, and erodes—none of which mix well with long-term stability. To build something that lasts, excavate the topsoil, compact a layer of crushed gravel, and add a coarse sand-setting bed. This layered base gives your bricks proper support, allows drainage, and helps block weeds from creeping through. Cutting corners here just means you’ll spend more time—and money—repairing your brick patio later.
The Quail Valley, CA 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.
