"Adam and his crew are workhouses. They installed an entire wall of stone veneer within 3 days and it is beautiful. A work of art. Hire this guy if you want your job done on time, with high quality and reasonable cost. Great job."
"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"
"I am new to the area and needed a new chimney and to have work done on my roof. Ken Moreau came and gave me an estiment that I thought was very fair. He and his men were very professional and did the work in one day. They cleaned up the area that they used and left the yard in great shape. I highly recommend that if you are having and masonry or roof work done that you contact Ken and see what he has to say before you hire someone else.."
"I reached out to New England Foundation to have some foundation cracks repaired and to install a few Lally columns. I give this company an A+! They were punctual, professional, and very trustworthy from start to finish. Chase was especially professional, knowledgeable, and courteous throughout the entire process. The quality of the work exceeded my expectations, and I couldn't be happier with the results. I would definitely use New England Foundation again and highly recommend them to anyone in need of foundation repair services."
"Great experience working with David & crew. They quickly stepped in to do our driveway project when the company we had originally hired ghosted us. They were responsive to all concerns and easy to communicate with both in person and via phone/text. Would reach out to Valley Excavating again for future projects."
Over the last 18 years, our mission has been to be a provider that brings back the personal touch with our customers. We will build a relationship that will last a lifetime after you see our quality work. From pavers and retaining walls to a new garden bed, we complete your project with pride. As a locally owned and operated business we feel invested in our clients and constantly strive for customer satisfaction. You can also reach us at (413) 507-6839. Call or click to schedule an estimate today!
"The projects came out impeccable especially the reconstruction of the hatchway. They are hard working and efficient team. They did a fabulous job! Friendly and always conducted themselves in professional manner. Finished the project ahead of time. I highly recommended this business."
"They were prompt, polite and very professional. I cannot recommend a better company to have work on your house! The concrete work looks like it will last forever and I am sure it will. If I ever need more work done they will be the first I call."
In most cases, painting your brick house is a fine idea that can open up new aesthetic possibilities. However, the paint can slightly shorten the life span of brick, especially if moisture gets trapped underneath the paint layer. Once you paint, you’ll have to keep up with maintenance to avoid flaking and blisters.
Yes, it is normal to see some minor hairline cracks in brick or mortar over time, often due to natural foundation settling. However, not all cracks are harmless. You should be concerned and contact a masonry professional for an inspection if you notice cracks that are getting wider or longer, or if new ones keep appearing. Other serious warning signs that can indicate significant structural or foundation damage include large vertical cracks (especially those that widen as they go up), stair-step cracks, L-shaped cracks, and deep horizontal cracks. Factors like temperature changes, moisture, and structural loading can also cause cracks to form or worsen.
Modern brick houses are really stick-built homes with a brick facade for aesthetic purposes only, so most have framing. With genuine brick construction, most homeowners install furring strips over the interior of the brick and then install drywall over those strips to cover the brick wall, so they don’t have traditional framing.
Cutting stone comes with a number of safety hazards. First and foremost, if you’re not comfortable with the equipment required to cut stone, including blades and grinders, you could easily injure yourself. The heavy machinery also poses a risk to your ears if you don’t wear proper ear protection; similarly, you need to wear eye protection to keep debris from irritating your eyes.
However, the biggest risk from cutting stone comes from the stone dust. When breathed in, stone dust can be a huge hazard to your lungs. Always wear a face mask when cutting stone to prevent inhaling stone dust, and thoroughly clean the work area when you are finished.
To avoid injury, we recommend hiring a stone-cutting professional, rather than attempting this job yourself.
Brick spalling—which refers to the crumbly, flaky, or pitted appearance that can develop over time—is caused by a few different conditions. These include:
Climates with constant freeze-thaw cycles
Use of non-breathable sealants
High-pressure water cleaning
Improper installation
While you can’t do anything about the weather, you can preserve your bricks by cleaning them with soapy water and a good old-fashioned scrubbing. Pressure washers may be satisfying to use, but they can eventually wear away the surface of your bricks. If you don’t have advanced-level DIY skills in masonry, you can hire a reputable masonry contractor in your area for your project.
The Southwick, MA 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.