"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."
"I am very happy with my deck and exterior of my house. Very professional and dependable. I have hired them to do more with on my home. Definitely will recommend to anyone needing masonry or deck and house washing!!"
"They did an awesome job! The front of our home never looked so beautiful. We recommend them for any landscaping work. We are going to have them come back and do some more work. We thank you Angi for recommending them to us."
"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!"
"The crawlspace of our 1930s home is small and challenging. Acculevel did a great job removing the old logs and stones that were holding up our floor joists, and replaced them with steel jacks. The men who performed the work were very hard workers. I corresponded with Acculevel via email after the work was performed to get photos and questions answered prior to us paying the invoice. They were very patient in answering all of our questions. It has only been a week, so I can't say whether the work will hold up, but so far our floors seem less squeaky! The only thing I would have changed is the fact that the vapor barrier they installed is not taped at the seams or walls. If you want it taped, make sure to ask for that during the quoting phase."
"James was very honest with me and told me the problem was due to downspouts dumping out at the foundation which needed to be redirected. Leaks were minor and he told me I won't need his services. I tried to pay him for his time and he would not take any money. If and when I need foundation service he will be my first call. Good guy and very professional."
"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."
"I wish you'd listed the work category correctly. I asked for (and got) blown fiberglass insulation. But my real recommnendation will be available once I've seen how well the new insulation works."
"Ron and crew were all business when they arrived Ron explained what they were going to do asking if there were any questions. Very professional. They did neat work, and left everything cleaned up and in great order. Again the warrantee was reviewed. We were surprised how quickly they were able to do our project. We highly recommend this company. Myrna W in Six Lakes, MI"
Certain towns and homeowner associations (HOAs) ban brick mailboxes because of the risk of obstruction. They are sometimes only permitted in cases where four or more homes share a mailbox. Homeowners may need to obtain special permits in some locations. One of the top masonry contractor hiring tips is to ask a local pro if they can show you examples of recent work that meets local code regulations.
Use fire bricks for a brick pizza oven. These bricks are typically used for fireplaces and chimneys as they can withstand high temperatures from heat sources. If you attempt to use any other kind of bricks, it’s likely that this material will crack from such high heat exposure in the best case—and potentially explode and cause serious harm in the worst case.
They provide excellent heat retention and durability and add a classic aesthetic to a home.
A chimney cleaning brick or log can help loosen creosote between professional chimney cleaning appointments. Although they can help keep your chimney cleaner, they are not a substitute for chimney sweeping and are not meant to be used regularly.
Stone veneer siding is approximately four times less expensive than stone because it's made of concrete and aggregates instead of natural stone. But veneer looks like real stone, is easier to install, and acts as a great, durable siding option.
The Oakley, MI 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.