"Alex responded promptly to my request for an estimate and was able to provide me with one immediately after evaluating the site and job we wanted done. I thought the price was fair and in line with the other estimates, his responsiveness was top notch and he was almost immediately available. Once we agreed on hiring him, he and his team were able to start within the same week. We had an excellent experience throughout the process and he was able to quickly and fairly address any changes to the original plans. The guys were always right on time, incredibly efficient, and left the work area very clean every day after they were done. We have spent more time the last two weeks on our back patio than we have on our deck in any given year. He gave us an estimate on a Tuesday, we hired him the following Monday, they started on Saturday, and finished on Wednesday. I wish I had more work for them to do, and would certainly recommend Alex Masonry."
"We are thrilled with our beautiful new patio. Our backyard now feels like an Italian Piazza, with old world stone beautifully laid out. The speed and efficiency with which the project was completed was exceptional, and the price was very resaonable. If we ever need any masonry work done again, or have friends looking to have some work done at their house, we will be sure to recommend R &M Masonry."
"We had a great experience with Arnold's Masonry. After interviewing several local masons, we chose Arnold to build a concrete sidewalk from our front steps to our driveway. We hired Arnold for his obvious knowledge, expertise, and experience. There was excellent communication and customer service throughout the process. We love our new sidewalk, and we highly recommend Arnold's Masonry!"
"Jimmy's Masonry installed a new wall in our backyard. He and his crew did a wonderful job. It is a beautiful wall. The work was completed quickly. I would use this company again."
"They were a pleasure to work with. From start to finish they were so meticulous and professional and it shows in their final product. Our patio and retaining wall look AMAZING, and I would highly recommend them to anybody looking to have masonry work done. 5 star rating across the board."
"Great! The guys were professional, friendly and quick to respond. We will use them and refer them from now on. We have found our forever company with Design & Build Masonry. A+"
"We have had Arnolds Masonry rebuild two brick chimneys and repair the brick siding. They matched the bricks almost perfectly. Their workmanship was flawless. The workers were extremely friendly and knowledgeable, and they completed the job in a very timely manner. After 17 years, hour chimneys remain in perfect condition. We thank all their efforts and hard work and would highly recommend Arnolds masonry to others."
"They did a great job, the only minuses would be that our project was a small one, they did it as a side job. So we had to wait a little longer than we wanted and pay cash as we don't have checks and they didn't take cards. Other than that if we have any additional hardscaping or masonry needed, they will be our first call."
"General Masonry is the only place anyone should ever call for any kind of masonry work. Period. Andi and his workers were beyond amazing. First, Andi came out multiple times because we werenâ t really sure of what we wanted. We basically asked him what we should do with the area as we didnâ t really know what would be best. Then after we decided what we wanted it took us a while to decide to do it (we did a huge project). We got a handful of quotes for the work and he was not only one of the least expensive he also made us feel the most comfortable that is would be done right. The first time Andi came out he gave us his license number and had his insurance company email ME to prove he had insurance. No other company did any of this. He completed the project in two weeks which was incredible. Andi even came on his own on the weekend to make sure the project was finished in a timely manner. He went above and beyond by putting lights in, and when I didnâ t like something we had planned, he changed it. The work done is beautiful and they left the place immaculate. Before they were even done we decided to do other projects around the property for him to do, because he is JUST THAT GOOD. More than any of the above I would never use anyone else because of the professionalism and kindness of Andi. I donâ t consider him someone I hired to do a job, I consider him a friend. If you are looking to do your pool, walkway, stairs or anything else if you donâ t contact General Masonry you are wasting your time and money and you are just wrong. PERIOD"
"We are very happy with our new patio area for our full basement walkout. The owner Claudin is a true professional who clearly is concerned about client satisfaction. We are very satisfied with services rendered and highly recommend CGV & K Masonry."
Yes, you can limewash surfaces other than brick. Plaster, stone, stucco, and concrete can all also be limewashed. Any porous surface that will absorb the wash is a good candidate for limewash, although it won’t help much with waterproofing. If you choose to limewash over paint, you’ll need to prep before applying it to avoid a powdery, chalky finish. Shiny surfaces like metal or glass can’t absorb limewash, so it’s not suited for these.
Yes, you can cut patio stones with a circular saw. Similar to using an electric grinder, you will need to use a diamond blade as this is the most effective blade for cutting a material like stone. The stone must be wet when using a circular saw to ensure the cut is smooth.
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.
Do not use super glue to hang lights on brick unless you want your lights up year-round. Hot glue is a better choice because it’s easily removable with a small amount of rubbing alcohol. Super glue is very hard to remove, and you could tear off parts of the brick in the removal process.
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.
The Harwinton, CT 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.