"I want to tell everyone about New Age Masonry. I found them on Home Advisor. I had 5 estimates given to me for tuckpointing. New Age was the last one. He was not the highest and he was not the lowest but I felt the genuine honesty and passion for the job. Oliver is a very hard worker and a perfectionist of his craft. His assistant Memo is also a very hard worker and they both provide great attention to detail. After they did the tuckpointing which included repairing my crumbling chimney, I decided to have Oliver install accent brick on the front of my home. It was something I always wanted- the quote was reasonable and the craftsmanship and valuing of my input was superior! Well, I could not be happier- It is BEAUTIFUL!!!! People and neighbors come by and want to know who did such beautiful work! I highly recommend New Age Masonry! It was a joy to work with Oliver and Memo. Thank you Home Advisor!"
"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."
"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."
"We used Perma Seal for several big projects—waterproofing our basement and replacing our concrete back yard and sidewalks. We had drain tiles, sump pumps and a dehumidifier installed, along with extensive concrete work outside. We dealt with a variety of crews and found everyone to be very communicative, professional, and knowledgeable. They did great work and kept us informed at every step of the process. When we had a questions, they were very responsive. All in all, we'd recommend and use them again."
"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."
"J&P did a great job. The brick edging around the landscaping had been a mess of sinking and uneven bricks - now they look like new. Very responsive and nice people to work with. We'll use them again in the future."
"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 excellently. The masonry team worked quickly, were professional, worked very safely and cleaned up very nicely. I will definitely be use this company when the time comes."
"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."
When painting brick, each application method has distinct advantages and disadvantages. Spraying is significantly faster but may not penetrate deeply beyond the surface layer. Rolling is effective for working paint into the brick's texture but can be less effective on mortar joints. If you opt for a roller, choose a thick nap of at least a half-inch to ensure paint gets into all the crevices for even coverage. Using a brush is generally not recommended as it is very time-consuming and provides poor surface penetration. Ultimately, a combination of spraying followed by back-rolling is often the best strategy for a durable and even finish.
Cobblestone is not a type of rock but a term for a mosaic or rock laid down as a surface. It used to be made from the closest available stone but now can be made from nearly any hard rock, as machining has made shaping the stone much easier and cheaper.
Most of the time, you don’t need to seal brickwork and can save that money for another area of home improvement. But if your brick is cracking or you live in an area with a lot of excess moisture (either in terms of rain or freezes), sealing can extend the lifetime of your home. But, make sure you use a breathable sealant, like siloxane, to allow the moisture to evaporate on its own.
Cobblestone fell out of favor with the advent of motor vehicles. Asphalt and concrete are both much smoother surfaces allowing for a smoother ride. Asphalt is also much cheaper, especially for driveways. However, we didn’t stop using cobblestone altogether, and you can still see it as a decorative option in both homes, in parks, and in pedestrianized areas of cities.
Yes. Black stains are more than an eyesore. Some black stains can pose health concerns, especially for those with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory conditions. Some stains can also damage the brick’s structural integrity, harming the mortar and resulting in more expensive repairs.
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.