"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."
"They found that their were cracks in the foundation. The first bid they gave me was for a permanent fix to completely restructure the foundation to rid the foundation of all cracks. It was an extremely high price and out of the range I was looking for. The person that came out for the inspection then assured me that it is very common to have cracks in the foundation and gave me a far less expensive alternative to repair the cracks and to stabilize the area. The estimate for that was fair."
"We are totally satisfied with the professionalism, skill, work ethic and overall attention to detail provided by Hector Martinez and his extremely capable crew. This is a contractor you can trust. They completed the job timely once they had started. Prices are fair. Our emphasis was on the quality of the materials and workmanship rather than the cheapest contractor we could find, as value is important to us. We feel this concrete will endure for many years to come. We plan to hire Hector again for additional masonry projects."
"The job was done right and the customer service and technicians were amazing. Definitely recommend them to anyone who needs work on their foundation.."
"My husband and I had a wonderful experience with The Real Seal in July 2024. They fixed a bowing foundation and waterproofed the basement for future finishing. Their team was prompt, respectful, organized and thoroughly educated us on the drainage tile system, installation process and prevention. Thank you, Real Seal for being the flawless first step to our dream basement/family space!"
"IPR Masonry ( Ismael ) replaced our concrete entrance and small sidewalk to the driveway. He did it right and well and was very considerate of both us and our property. I would certainly recommend him to others."
"Chimney destroyed by lightening strike! Rob and crew removed all debris, built new chimney, inspected 30 yr. old chimney shaft and suggested liner(for safety and code compliance) .installed new damper, cleaned up entire area inside and out. great work, very courteous, fair price. I would recommend them for any type of brick/chimney service!"
"it went very well, technician call 30 minutes before their arrival, once they arrived they introduced themselves and got right to work. The inspection went well and the technician made sure to show me what they were seeing. After the inspection there was some work that needed to be done and was suggested. After seeing photographs and discussing with the technician, I choose to have some of the proposed work done. There was no pressure or hard sales pitch, just practical safety and maintenance issues. The work was able to be accomplished during the visit, and in addition an additional discount was provided. The technicians were knowledgeable, professional and did a nice job cleaning up after themselves. I will have them back to do a more thorough masonry inspection in the spring when there is not snow on the roof."
"My existing window well had pulled back from the homes foundation over the past 20 years, allowing water and sediment to enter the well. Sediment would plug the drain causing water to build up and create an aquarium in the window well. You pass waterproofing installed a new window well and securely fastened it to the cement foundation. They carefully removed the previous window well and took care not to brutalize the surrounding landscape. Completely satisfied with their work"
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.
The cost of masonry work varies widely depending on the type of masonry along with common cost factors like size, complexity, location, and season. Most exterior masonry work done in freezing temperatures tends to cost more because of the preparation and protection involved to keep the masonry from freezing before the mortar cures properly. The average price ranges per project or square foot for different types of masonry include:
Brick wall (fence, garden wall, etc.): $10–$45 per square foot
Natural stone wall: $40–$110 per square foot
Manufactured stone veneer: $20–$40 per square foot
In some cases, black stains on brick are caused by organic substances like algae and mold. However, it's more likely that the black spots you're noticing on your bricks come from carbon from vehicle exhaust or soot. Black stains can usually be removed by scrubbing the brick with a brush and masonry cleaner or power washing.
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.
Limewash can be removed from brick, but the method of removal will depend on how long the limewash has been on the brick. If the limewash has fully dried—which happens after about five days—you’ll need to use a diluted muriatic acid mixture to remove it. If there are multiple coats of limewash, you may need to apply the acid mixture several times to fully remove it from the brick.
The Elburn, 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.
