"Michael was great. He returned my phone call later that night, and came out the next day to take a look at what needed to be done. He was really easy to work with for scheduling, and very reasonable with his prices. Within a week or so he had his crew out to our house, and they went over the whole side with a fine tooth comb. They made sure the brick pointing was good on our chimney, too, and replaced the cap that was missing (that we hadn't even noticed was gone!). Lots of attention to detail, and if you hadn't known there was missing mortar and cracks, you'd never know there was any work done at all - which is how masonry repair is supposed to be. We'll definitely be using Michael again for our house."
"Gave a fair estimate, took the time to explain things we didn't understand, kept in constant communication and did a great job. Would absolutely hire them again. It's hard to find good workers in Philly, but if you need some masonry work done, this is the company to do it."
"Kevin upgraded the brick steps of my South Philadelphia rowhouse by installing bluestone treads and landings. He did a terrific job using quality materials and tools, thoroughly cleaned up afterwards, was reliable and communicative, and charged a reasonable price for a challenging job. I highly recommend KMJ Masonry and would not hesitate to call on them again."
"Steve was prompt responding to my search. He came the next day to look at the job and gave me the quote for the repairs. Steve did a wonderful job for a reasonable price fixing broken bricks and mortar on the top of my chimney. A true professional."
"I can't even begin to describe how pleased we are with the work that Milecas and his crew did. He not only understood our vision but exceeded it. Milecas installed a patio with 2 seat walls, one with a back wall, the other with columns, both with lighting. He also installed a patio door landing with steps and lighting. Both the patio and steps were beautiful but the thing that struck me most about Milecas is his integrity and dedication to his work. The work was finished according to the schedule that we agreed on and on budget. Talking of budget, we talked to 6 contractors including Milecas and Milecas has the lowest cost and we got more for our money. I highly, without any reservation, recommend him to anyone looking to do this type of work."
"I hired Aztec for major repairs due to termite damage. They were prompt, professional, and easy to work with. They came in less than 10 days after we contacted them to FINISH the work. First, they evaluated the damage and walked me through the needed repairs which included placing three new steel support beams along with two main horizontal wood beams and several sistered beams. They were able to complete the work, once they started, in three days. At each step, I was informed of progress and there were no surprises (from my end). The work included everything from removing electrical wiring and then replacing it, pouring the new steel vertical support beams, affixing them solidly into my concrete floor, and then pacing the numerous horizontal beams. I could not recommend AZtec (and Greg!) more."
"Crew was extremely meticulous to details. They were very neat and accommodating as we live in a development that has a lawn service. They moved all of their equipment to allow for the landscapers to do the lawn work."
"Contractor was responsive professional and came up with some great suggestions. Budget issues prevented us from moving forward with the improvements but we wil use Sun Viking when we have the work done and would definitely recommend them. "
Real stone is exactly what it sounds like: It’s real stone sourced from the earth without additives. It is durable and unique, but it’s difficult to work with because of its weight, challenge in sourcing, and high cost. Stone veneer mimics the look of real stone but is actually engineered with a mixture of Portland cement, natural minerals, and a colorant. While it’s more affordable and easier to work with, it’s less durable and may appear manufactured to the trained eye.
Two types of masonry are veneer masonry and solid masonry. Veneer masonry is thin brick or stone material attached to the face of a building. With veneer masonry, the walls support the weight of the masonry products rather than the masonry being built on a concrete footing. Solid masonry is a wall or other brick or stone structure built on a concrete footing, and the masonry supports itself.
The cost to install or replace brick or stone siding generally ranges from $10 to $50 per square foot. The final price depends on several factors, including the specific material type, local labor rates, and any necessary preparation work, such as removing old siding. For example, different types of stone have varying costs per square foot: natural stone ($4.50–$35), stone veneer ($11–$13), faux stone ($6–$9), and cultured or manufactured stone ($5–$8).
Professionally done brick repointing can last 20 to 30 years, sometimes longer. However, the exact lifespan depends on several factors, including the quality of the mortar, the skill of the mason, and exposure to weather. If you live in an area with harsh weather or frequent freeze-thaw cycles, you may need to repoint more often. Repointing that is done as a DIY project may only last 10 to 15 years. It's time to repoint when you notice signs of mortar failure, such as crumbling or missing mortar, holes, or vines growing between the bricks. Regular inspections can help you catch these issues early.
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.
The Oaklyn, NJ homeowners’ guide to masonry services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Foundation repair costs in Philadelphia, PA can be tricky when you have a large repair on your hands. This guide walks through costs from small cracks to total replacement.
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.
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.
