"We are still in the budgeting phase and have not contacted yet however Scott Hughes of Groundwork’s was a great resource. He provided detailed information on the issues and how they would resolve them for us."
"Ruele did a terrific job replacing the stucco on our home and our casita. Their crew is great - very professional, competent, friendly and considerate. I really appreciated the thorough and careful way they approached their work and their attention to detail. I would highly recommend Ruele."
"First of all, most contractors give you an estimate without charging, and this really was nothing more than that. When he looked at the area to be remodeled, he gave me many more options than in the final plans, and it wasn't what I needed. "
"Great. We hired another company based on price only. We got 4 quotes from providers and Top to Bottom was inline, just not the lowest. One other company's quote was more than double Top to Bottom's and the other 2 we got. We've reviewed that company separately for pricing."
"I only use James when I need some work done to my house. He responds fast, gets the work done quicker than just about anyone else I've ever used and seems very concerned with leaving his customers happy."
"Professional & courteous!! Worked everyday as promised til project was finished! Cleaned up daily after themselves & always made sure customer was happy!! Very professional employes. Beautiful remodel. Smooth process from start to finish! We have used them for many projects and couldn't be happier!! If we need anything... We always call A custom construction!"
Stone houses used to be much more practical, but with the advent of stronger and cheaper materials like concrete, they aren’t seen as much anymore. There are some parts of the world where it makes sense to build with stone, and they are usually next to a stone quarry. Stone is, however, very weather-resistant, which is why many homes near the sea and on mountains are still built with local stone.
Modern brick houses are really stick-built homes with a brick facade for aesthetic purposes only, so most have framing. With genuine brick construction, most homeowners install furring strips over the interior of the brick and then install drywall over those strips to cover the brick wall, so they don’t have traditional framing.
Initially, brick staining is not cheaper than painting. However, while it has a higher up-front cost, it may be more cost-effective in the long run. Brick stain can last for 20 years or longer, compared to paint, which usually starts to peel away in three to five years.
When it comes to how to paint a brick chimney, consider that standard paint can seal in moisture and cause serious chimney problems. Instead, use a vapor-permeable sealant. You’ll first scrub and sand the chimney; then, you can patch any gaps with caulk and apply the sealant. We recommend hiring a pro for this job since it entails working on the roof, which comes with a lot of necessary safety precautions.
Yes, masonry is more expensive than concrete because the labor is much more involved. With masonry, your expert will build your project from the ground up, one piece at a time, ensuring they use the proper amount of mortar or grout during construction and keeping the project level or plumb. Pouring concrete can also be labor-intensive, but it’s a bit less involved. It requires building a mold, pouring the concrete, and letting it cure. The less intensive labor makes concrete a more affordable option in most cases.
The Jal, NM 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.
