"I contracted DeGain Masonry to do a paver patio in my back yard. The finished project turned out better than I could have ever expected… very precise and meticulous. Clint was quick to return my calls, started and finished the project when promised and was more than accommodating in every way. I am a particular customer with high expectations of those I hire. That being said, I would highly recommend DeGain Masonry."
"Andersen Structural Solutions was easy to work with, professional and efficient! I had some questions along the way and they were kind, courteous and informative. Very impressed and will absolutely use them again for another project in mind come spring."
"Chris Peplinski came out and gave us a fair and honest estimate on fixing our foundation. Alex and crew arrived and installed helical piers to shore up our foundation and you couldn’t tell they were even here. Everything from the first call to the install was top notch! Highly Recommend!"
"Two years ago, we hired Adam to create a custom landscaping setup to support 5 trees and an accent rock. He took the shape we designed on paper and brought it to life with paver stones filled in with rocks. He even picked up the trees from the nursery and installed them himself to make sure it was done correctly. We could not have been happier with how nice it looked then and still today. Just recently, we hired him to install a French drain to stop standing water, fill in some additional rocks under the back deck, and trim our 15 feet + arborvitae trees. He once again did a great job all around. Adam is very responsible, professional, friendly, and an expert with his work. The prices for this work were very reasonable and I will most definitely hire him again for future work."
"Good communication, professional, courteous and clean up was thorough.
We waited a few months before doing a rating to experience a few heavy rains. We are extremely happy with having a dry usable basement. We usually don't do ratings but All Ways Dry exceeded our expectations!"
"Elon inspected my foundation to determine what walls were holding water. He took measurements and took time to share a video of the repair he was recommending. I will have four anchors installed on the problem wall at a very fair price."
"Chuck arrived with a helper and explained everything to us. He cleaned the chimney and left us with some estimates for potential work. He was knowledgeable and pleasant. I would use him again."
"Easy experience. Great salesman lol but the workers were awesome and really respectful. They messed up once on some of my city piping, but they came out the same day and fixed it with no questions or complaints. Nice to know my basement is warranted for the rest of the life of the house."
No, you don’t need to soak the brick before cutting it by hand. In fact, cutting a wet brick can make it harder to see your score lines and may cause the chisel to slip. Soaking is sometimes used with power tools to reduce dust, but for hand-cutting, it’s best to work with dry bricks for better control and visibility.
Yes! Hot glue is an excellent—and temporary—way to spread holiday cheer with Christmas lights without damaging your brick exterior.
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 exact cost of bricks depends on the type and size of the bricks you use for your project. Generally, standard clay bricks cost between $350 and $850 for a thousand bricks, or an average of $550. Brick veneer costs around the same for materials but is easier to install than solid bricks, so you’ll save on labor by choosing this option.
A traditional German schmear uses mortar, making it unsuitable for adherence to painted surfaces. Professionals recommend removing any existing paint before applying mortar. However, you can rough up the painted surface and clean it to test if the mortar will stick. Remember that the underlying paint's texture and color may affect the schmear's final appearance—so starting with a bare brick wall will ensure the ideal finish.
The Auburn, MI 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.
