"This is one of the most professional, hard working, honest companies we have ever hired. They installed a concrete base for our paver patio, steps and walk. The finished area is so beautiful."
"Jacob W. did an amazing job when he came out and inspected my cabin's foundation. He was on time, professional, and friendly. The best part was that he gave me the great news that there were no foundation issues to be concerned about and that everything looked good."
"They showed up on time explained the plan they had for the repair finished the job in an acceptable amount of time and cleaned up afterwards the price was very affordable very friendly and courteous, great guys very respectful.I would hire them again and I highly recommend them."
"My attic was lacking in insulation and my crawl space was a mess. Reed’s worked and fixed both. Workers were wonderful and polite to answer all my questions I am so thankful for the fact that they came and helped me. I really don’t know what I would have done without their help. I would recommend them to everyone that has these problems. And I have recommended them to friends and family. My electric bill greatly reduced. Thank you so much thank you thank you"
"Vinnie and his crew were very thorough. They showed up when expected and took time to listen to concerns about the chimney. They inspected the roof and made recommendations to improve safety and longevity of the structure.
Highly recommend!"
"Out of all the quotes I received Stefaniak construction provided the best price as well as filling me with confidence that I had hired the right guys for the job. My house is 130 years old so to say there are quirks would be an understatement. When a problem was discovered I promptly received a call asking how I wanted to proceed and we discussed the options. I appreciated this as most contractors simply plow ahead to get the job done and get paid. So in short I would highly recommend Stefaniak construction if you want a job done right and affordably. I would and in fact have hired them again to do additional masonry work on my home."
"Jesse was prompt to inspectand gave me an estimate on work needed to replace mortar and bricks that had been knocked off house corner. The corner is now fixed and looks great! The mortar repairs on stairs and deck were well done. Thanks!"
"I can start by saying that the people the owner (Mike) hires are the best. Matt, Randy, and Zac could not have been nicer or more professional. They worked so hard and were never anything but accommodating and helpful. I just really canâ t say enough about what a great job they did. The work is so well done and I so appreciate the care and respect they took for my home. They cleaned up well and really put in a lot of extra effort, but never complained and were always pleasant to deal with. Iâ m sure this is a reflection on Mike because it always starts at the top. I would absolutely recommend Advanced to anyone needing basement work, and again thank you so much for working with me and making this process as easy as possible."
Masonry uses units like bricks, cement blocks, and stone with mortar between them. Mortar is generally made of sand and a type of cement. Examples of masonry include the brick or stone on a house, chimney, or freestanding wall. Concrete is a mixture of water, sand, stone aggregate, and other materials, and is poured into forms or moldings. Types of concrete applications include driveways, garage and basement floors, and poured concrete walls in basements and crawl spaces.
No, you shouldn’t lay bricks directly on dirt. While it might seem like a shortcut, it leads to a patio that shifts, sinks, and becomes a maintenance headache. Dirt expands, contracts, and erodes—none of which mix well with long-term stability. To build something that lasts, excavate the topsoil, compact a layer of crushed gravel, and add a coarse sand-setting bed. This layered base gives your bricks proper support, allows drainage, and helps block weeds from creeping through. Cutting corners here just means you’ll spend more time—and money—repairing your brick patio later.
They offer durability, aesthetic appeal, and resistance to weathering compared to concrete or asphalt.
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.
You can hang holiday lights on brick without drilling by using hot glue, outdoor tape, or brick clips for your project. There are plenty of alternatives to consider, so consult a professional Christmas light installer to discuss the best options to preserve your brick exterior.
The Middlesboro, KY homeowners’ guide to masonry services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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.
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.
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.
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.
