"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 WAS MORE THAN PLEASED WITH AN Masonry . Alex was very professional through my whole experience on my chimney repair and masonry workmanship. From the estimate to the end. Would highly recommend him. Kenneth Blair."
"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.."
"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."
"Valley Excavating replaced our foundation drain, and I couldn't be happier with the experience. They responded right away when I called for an estimate and quickly followed up with a detailed, itemized quote, so I knew exactly what I was paying for. That kind of responsiveness and transparency is hard to find. If you need excavation or drainage work, I strongly recommend Valley Excavating!"
"A . Jon provided a quote and answered our questions within two days of reaching out through Home Advisor. Team completed the work in the morning before a nor’easter hit. Highly recommended."
"We hired this company for heavy yard work large weeds, grass vines etc and Noel's Landscaping went above and beyond. He not only did everything we wanted but also did extras to make sure the job was done right and property looked 100 times better will definitely recommend. We also hired him for every 2 weeks to come back for up keep. 100 percent satisfied customer."
"Guiles Hall and Jason Lewis came to repair pool deck. Had major cracks and settling. They raised slabs and filled cracks. They were punctual, professional and did a great job."
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.
The cost of masonry work varies widely depending on the type of masonry along with common cost factors like size, complexity, location, and season. Most exterior masonry work done in freezing temperatures tends to cost more because of the preparation and protection involved to keep the masonry from freezing before the mortar cures properly. The average price ranges per project or square foot for different types of masonry include:
Brick wall (fence, garden wall, etc.): $10–$45 per square foot
Natural stone wall: $40–$110 per square foot
Manufactured stone veneer: $20–$40 per square foot
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.
Yes, staining a brick home can increase a home’s value, assuming your pro does a good job and you keep up with maintenance tasks. Staining brick is a much better way to increase a home’s value than painting brick, as the latter can cause chipping, warping, and bubbling. Brick stain, on the other hand, gets absorbed by the surface, so it can still breathe.
The best color to paint a brick fireplace comes down to personal taste. However, neutral colors—like white or gray—will open the space and create a bright modern look, making them popular options. However, choosing a bold color can turn your fireplace into a feature piece that will be the talk of all family gatherings.
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.
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.
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.
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.
