"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."
"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!"
"The job was done right and the customer service and technicians were amazing. Definitely recommend them to anyone who needs work on their foundation.."
"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!"
"Anthony and his team were very professional. They did a perfect job, gave us an estimate of the work that should be done to maintain the chimney and the masonry. Work was done in about 45 minutes and they cleaned the area of operation. Anthony took the time to explain what has to be done and why, as well as what would happen if we don't do the recommended work. Overall I can recommend this company."
"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"
Spalling brick is not uncommon, but it does indicate a serious issue. It can be caused by water damage, an intense freeze-thaw cycle, or something else. Painted bricks can be susceptible to spalling, as the paint doesn’t allow the porous material of the brick to breathe, which can trap moisture. Spalling should always be addressed immediately before more serious structural damage occurs.
Costs depend on material type, labor, chimney requirements, and structural reinforcements.
No, you don’t need to soak the brick before cutting it by hand. In fact, cutting a wet brick can make it harder to see your score lines and may cause the chisel to slip. Soaking is sometimes used with power tools to reduce dust, but for hand-cutting, it’s best to work with dry bricks for better control and visibility.
Solid brick structures can last a century or more, potentially 100 to 150 years with proper maintenance like tuckpointing. Without major repairs, classic red bricks may last 20 to 40 years. Brick veneer siding is also a long-lasting material, with a lifespan ranging from 50 to 100 years, provided it is properly installed and maintained. To maintain brick veneer, you should scrub it annually with a special detergent and a soft-bristled broom. It's also important to inspect the bricks and mortar regularly and hire a masonry contractor for any necessary repairs, such as fixing worn mortar or bowing bricks.
According to the Earthquake Country Alliance—a public and private alliance in California that works to improve earthquake and tsunami readiness—reports that unreinforced masonry, such as stone, bricks, and hollow clay tiles, is more susceptible to earthquake damage. The mortar between bricks isn’t as stable as other building materials and methods.
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.
