"Henry from Republic Masonry was excellent we hired him for the remainder of the winter season He was very respectful and even cleared the slush off the front walkway at no charge so we could safely get our mail 5 stars"
"Excellent service. The job changed on site due to rocks in the way. They cut them out and finished the install. The land edges they filed in nicely so it looked manicured! Done quickly and professionally. The crew was very nice. Definitely will hire again. Cost was appropriate and less than many other estimates i got. So very pleased!"
"New England Foundation Crack Repair responded very quickly to my call. Will came out to look at the project and explained thoroughly what needed to be done. On the day of the scheduled work, Tony and Ian arrived to take on the project. Both of these gentlemen were knowledgeable, competent and courteous professionals. Upon completion of their work, the outside grass and stone area looked like it had been undisturbed and the interior basement area was spotless. Tony and Ian are a definite asset to this company and I would highly recommend New England Foundation Crack Repair."
"The guys were punctual, friendly, and knowledgeable. They spent 3 days pointing my dry-stacked foundation wall, over 9 feet high! They did a great job and it looks great too. I would definitely recommend these guys!"
"This experience was excellent from start to finish. Al was very helpful, kind, professional and friendly. The price was fair and the work quality was outstanding. The crown on our chimney looks great and will protect our property for years to come. We would definitely use Expert Chimney again."
"In all fairness to the company our chimney was in dire straights & we needed a cap but they recommended a chimney liner for the price of $2,000 . That didn?t include any masonry work that needed to be done . I had other quotes that included the liner & all the masonry work for the same price . Plus I was overcharged for the chimney cap . I would not recommend Paramount ."
"A higher dollar figure than we expected. Their professionalism was excellent. The anticipatory amount for doing that I don't say it was exorbitant but it was higher than what we thought."
"We wanted to help with our foundation drainage as the hills all led to water pooling to the back of our house. Also had French drains installed. Very happy with the quality of work especially so close to our home foundation. Highly recommend and have used Echo Excavation for multiple projects."
While painting can certainly change the look of a chimney, you should think twice about giving your brick chimney the old landlord special.
Painting brick is porous, meaning it’s full of tiny holes that can soak up moisture. Those holes also allow it to dry, though. So, when you paint it, you trap any moisture inside, providing an opportunity for mold, mildew, and water damage.
Paint also shows wear faster than naked brick. This means that once you paint a brick surface, you’ll have to keep painting it to maintain a clean look. A paint job is also harder to undo on brick because of its porous nature. Once you paint it, it’s hard to go back without some serious power washing—another added cost.
Cobblestone can be made from many different types of stones but the most common ones, by far, are granite, basalt, limestone, and sandstone. If you are laying a brick paver patio or other such project, the medium is different. It’s rare, but cobblestone can also be made from marble, slate, jasper, and other types of rock. Technically, you can make cobblestone from almost any type of rock, but if it is weather-resistant and stands the test of time is another question entirely.
Removing paint from brick can have both aesthetic and practical value. Some people prefer the timeless look of bare brick, making it worthwhile to remove old paint layers. Brick also lasts longer when unpainted, as paint traps moisture, causing the brick to deteriorate more quickly. If your brick walls are already in bad shape, stripping the paint off might do more harm than good.
Yes, limewash on brick can accumulate dust over time. Its porous nature can attract dust particles, especially in environments with high levels of dust or dirt. Additionally, if the limewash surface is left unsealed, it may be more prone to collecting dust. Additionally, incorrectly applied limewash will generate dust. Causes include applying it too thickly instead of thin layers and not allowing enough drying time between layers. Regular maintenance, such as gentle cleaning or dusting, can help mitigate dusty issues.
You should use cement for a chimney crown. The purpose of the chimney crown is to protect the mortar below from water damage and the effects of weather. For this reason, chimney crowns should only be made using cement. When repairing a crown, use caulks and sealants designed for cement repair rather than mortar repair.
The Royalston, MA 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.
