"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."
"I didn't have work done, but that is because Gary helped me figure out that my leaking wasn't from the foundation, it was from cracked stucco. He didn't try and sell me on something he knew wasn't the issue and I appreciate that a lot! I can't speak to their work, but I wouldn't hesitate hiring them on for any future issues."
"Professional Concrete is fantastic. Hector was incredibly responsive and his team was really capable. They were really flexible; I had to coordinate with another contractor replacing part of the fencing near where Professional Concrete was working. They were really accommodating and focused on doing both jobs (what they were doing and the fence company) correctly. I will definitely be hiring them again for a patio next spring."
"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."
"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."
"Crew arrived on time and worked efficiently. As the project progressed, 2 foundation cracks were discovered which added $900 to the original estimate. Old insulation along foundation wall was removed and replaced with silvery foam sheets. Joints were taped. Some leveling of the floor was done. Sheets were laid over the gravel floor also (crawlspace is not used for storage). 2 window well covers were installed. Our main goal was to have a warmer floor in the room above. We haven't noticed a major improvement yet."
"Daniel and Lou showed up to replace the liner and repair the chimney. They spent an entire day working hard and cleaned up after the job was done. The work done looks solid and good. Would definitely keep them on my list for any future masonry/brick repair jobs."
No, using a power sander on brick is not recommended because the force of the sander can destroy brick's fragile outer layer. Even using sandpaper on brick is discouraged because of the damage its abrasiveness can cause.
Yes, concrete is significantly stronger than masonry, especially if the concrete pour includes reinforcements, like steel rebar. Concrete is a uniform material that can withstand compression, sheer force, and tensile force as long as it’s reinforced. Masonry involves the use of mortar or grout to connect individual building materials, like brick, stone, or tile. Mortar and grout are also reasonably strong and resist compression well, but they don’t come close to the strength of poured concrete.
The size of your pizza oven will determine the number of bricks necessary to build it. So the bigger your pizza oven, the more fire bricks you’ll need to purchase. Keep in mind that fire bricks cost about $3each.
Use fire bricks for a brick pizza oven. These bricks are typically used for fireplaces and chimneys as they can withstand high temperatures from heat sources. If you attempt to use any other kind of bricks, it’s likely that this material will crack from such high heat exposure in the best case—and potentially explode and cause serious harm in the worst case.
Rock salt and ice melts contain sodium chloride, aka salt, and are corrosive to metal and concrete. If used frequently over time, it can cause corrosion, discoloration, chipping, and cracking to patios, walkways, and driveways. You can try a rock salt alternative or hire a professional snow removal company instead.
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.