"Joshua did an incredible job rebuilding and repairing our chimney during a major renovation. The work was done carefully, cleanly, and with a clear understanding of both structural integrity and safety. He explained what needed to be done, why it mattered, and made sure everything was done the right way—not rushed. Seeing the finished brickwork framed into the new space gave us a lot of confidence moving forward with the rest of the project. Professional, knowledgeable, and dependable from start to finish. Highly recommend."
"Needed a cleaning. Great price! The guys were friendly and so knowledgeable. They got the job done in good timing! I’m having them come back to repair and repoint bricks ! Definitely Recommend ! Thank you Handy Andy!"
"Shamrock Chimney provided an estimate for our Chimney to Pointed and also to insert a Liner. They quoted a fair price and I agreed to have the work done the same day. That day, I reviewed the work and felt more masonry work was still required. They came out the next day again, and they did additional repair work to Point the Chimney. Overall they did what I wanted at a fair price. My roof was affected during the work, but they helped cover the cost for repairs. Since my roof was brand new, this was required."
"The project went well. Scott and crew were skilled and efficient. Scott was also very flexible incorporating our needs into the project. Love our new retaining wall and landscaping!"
"Mark and his "right hand," Liz are a pleasure to deal with, they're like friends. I've had Mark's skilled and friendly crew clean the boiler chimney and repair the chimney cap. Mark's crew is clearly knowledgeable and works with care and artistry. Both projects reasonably priced compared to other contractors. I highly recommend Eastern Chimney."
"In summary I have to say Richard was excellent! He came when he said he would and finished the work when he said it would be finished. As I solicited multiple bids for the work NE Renovations was among the most competitive. As the work was completed I was so pleased I ended requesting he come back to do additional jobs. He was very accomadating and even explained various options on how best to accomplish the additional work. "
"I had a Groupon for 1000 sq. ft. of driveway sealing. I have about 2000 sq. ft. I bought the Groupon and called, and I was told it would be another $170, so I wanted to set the appointment. It actually took a year to get done, as he had too many Groupon customers and was giving scheduling preference to his existing client base. Once we had the appointment, they arrived on time, could not have been more pleasant, did a great job, and left the area spotless. "
Spalling brick is not uncommon, but it does indicate a serious issue. It can be caused by water damage, an intense freeze-thaw cycle, or something else. Painted bricks can be susceptible to spalling, as the paint doesn’t allow the porous material of the brick to breathe, which can trap moisture. Spalling should always be addressed immediately before more serious structural damage occurs.
A fireplace hearth is a fireproof flooring material that extends out from the base of the fireplace and into the room. Hearths can be made of brick, ceramic, marble, limestone, and more. A hearth serves the purpose of decreasing the fire risk in the area directly around the fireplace. If flying embers hit carpet or wood, they’ll spark and create a fire. But if they hit something like tile or granite, they’ll simply go out.
Yes, you can technically use a pressure washer to remove paint from brick, but it comes with a significant risk of damaging the brick surface. A high-power pressure washer can be fast but may leave the brick looking unsightly. The recommended method is to first apply a chemical paint stripper, following the product's instructions, and then use a stiff metal bristle brush or a pressure washer on a low-pressure setting to remove the loosened paint. Due to the risk of damage, it is often best to hire a professional who can use low-stress methods.
A fireplace is, by definition, an enclosed space where you burn wood or other fuel for the purpose of generating light and heat. A firepit burns wood and is much less expensive to build, but they aren’t technically a fireplace as it isn’t enclosed. An outdoor oven—commonly outdoor brick pizza ovens—often uses wood as fuel, but its primary purpose is to cook food, and you’d rarely just burn wood inside them for warmth or aesthetic reasons.
Whether you’re installing brick siding over a traditionally-framed home or you’re using genuine brick construction to build, the biggest downside of a brick house is the higher cost you’ll pay for the materials and labor. Real brick construction also means your home build will take longer, as it’s more time-consuming to construct brick walls than it is to frame out your home.
The Jackman, ME 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.
