"Oliver and his partner were more than excellent. He was honest with his assessment and gave me a quote right away (not the cheapest, but it had the most value based on his experience/knowledge - HIS BID WAS VERY FAIR!!!). We talked with 4 vendors before deciding on New Age Masonry and couldn't be happier with our decision to hire them. We have been burned in the past with other contractors, so I am always on edge when dealing with them, but Oliver gives me a new reason to relax on that a bit. Please give him an opportunity, even if he isn't the lowest bid, because you will not be disappointed in his work. Very, very satisfied customer."
"Another outstanding job by Olsen. We requested and received a proposal last fall for work to be done. Proposal was easy to understand, covered all work wanted and provided on very timely basis. Early spring they delivered brick samples for our approval and began work a few days later. Work was preformed very quickly, very professionally and of the best quality. They thoroughly cleaned up each day and after completion. We strongly recommend Olsen to everyone needing masonry work. Another satisfied customer, again."
"RK Masonry did a phenomenal job with both keeping me in the loop and finishing the project on time. They even matched our new mailbox with our house bricks. Would highly recommend."
"My experience with 83 Masonry was EXCELLENT! We hired them to tuck-point and partially rebuild our two chimneys. They started the project on time and showed up everyday ahead of time. We have new roof and AC, so before they started any work, they have protected the roof and build protection canopy over the AC to make sure nothing would get damaged. Very professional, knowledgeable, punctual and safe. Not only were the chimneys fixed, they improved the look of the house. We are EXTREMELY happy with the craftsmanship and we would recommend them for any type of masonry work."
"I had an excellent experience working with Mission Brick on my Techo-Bloc paver patio project. They handled everything from deck removal and fence repair, site preparation and base installation to the paver patio build and final finishing details. Mark was highly communicative throughout the entire process. He had an eye for design and helped develop a layout that was within my budget. He followed through on every detail exactly as outlined from start to finish. I would absolutely recommend Mission Brick."
"We used Atlas Restoration for new interior drain tile, sump pump, window well drains and connection to public storm system. The entire process was smooth from estimate through installation. Gary Milligan was very knowledgable, helpful, and available whenever we had questions. The installation crew, led by Ruben, was phenomenal. They took extra care while working in our home and focused on cleaning up each day. Overall, our expectations were exceeded and we would recommend Atlas to friends and family."
"Miguel contacted me promptly & worked me in the same day which was greatly appreciated since the fireplace damper was stuck open. It was very cold and a storm was coming. He kept me updated on when he would be able to arrive. He was very polite, helpful in explaining how I could avoid the problem in the future. Definitely 5 star in all aspects. I would use him again for any future problems."
"I was very pleased with the outcome of my garden wall and buried pipes. Daniel was very prompt in giving me a quote and returning my phone calls. He started and completed the job in the amount of time he said it would take. Daniel was personable and very easy to work with. He would stop work to explain what he was doing when I had questions, answered any questions I had, would re-do what I wanted changed, and did a nice job of cleaning up. I highly recommend hiring Daniel to do your outdoor work."
"They did a fabulous job. They were punctual, kind, precise, and truly knowledgeable. I am still on a high. They cleaned up the street and our property afterward. The plus was some geometric scoring."
Mortar and thinset both serve the same purpose—tile adhesion—but have different compositions and use-cases. Thinset is heatproof and presents a wide range of possibilities due to the added polymers. Mortar is typically used for bonding stones and brick. Thinset is rarely used outside, while mortar is rarely used inside.
Handbuilt masonry fireplaces are likely what comes to mind when we think about curling up by the fire at the end of the day. But bricks in the firebox and chimney tend to be heavy, which is not ideal for homes with weak or damaged foundations.
Prefabricated fireboxes come with a full flue and chimney system, significantly reducing the price and installation time. However, if you need to replace the panels down the line, you are locked into the same model or something very similar.
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.
A fireplace is, by definition, an enclosed space where you burn wood or other fuel for the purpose of generating light and heat. A firepit burns wood and is much less expensive to build, but they aren’t technically a fireplace as it isn’t enclosed. An outdoor oven—commonly outdoor brick pizza ovens—often uses wood as fuel, but its primary purpose is to cook food, and you’d rarely just burn wood inside them for warmth or aesthetic reasons.
You may not need a hammer drill if you’re planning on drilling one or two very small diameter holes in brick. For holes with a diameter of 3/16-inch or less, a regular drill with a masonry bit can do the job. However, the bit will heat up quickly, and the process will take significantly longer than with a hammer drill. Prepare to cool your drill bit down in a bucket of water more often.
The Batavia, IL 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.
