BK Masonry

Bernie met with me and came up with some great ideas and would provide estimate. This was 3 weeks ago. I waited 10 days and called to remind about quote. Another 7 to 10 days later and still no estimate. Definitely not impressed and looking elsewhere.

Bernie delivered what he promised, very friendly, had the job done in a timely manner and did not nickle and dime us. We definitely recommend him! His co-worker Will was also great.

Stopped and measured never heard from him again. Would definitely not hire.

We hired BK Masonry two years ago (April 2016) to seal the exterior of one side of our basement. We had already sealed/waterproofed the entire interior, but were still experiencing some leakage. Due to the excavation necessary to perform the work, we decided to replace the concrete patio by the backdoor and the sidewalk to the driveway. We also decided to include a much needed basement window replacement (5 windows). Bernie quoted and performed the work for $9800. The work was performed in a reasonable amount of time (about 1 week). We thought the price was fair based on the amount of excavation necessary to access the exterior of the basement wall. At the time of completion, we were pleased with the results. The windows were a definite improvement and the new sidewalk and patio seemed good at the time. Since then (past two years) we've had no leakage in the basement and the windows are fine. However, the concrete patio and sidewalk surfaces are deteriorating rapidly (see pictures). The surfaces are flaking over large areas and significant pock marks are developing. I called Bernie about 3 weeks ago to discuss the issue with the concrete. His response was to immediately blame the condition of the concrete on our use of ice melt during the previous two winters. I explained that the deterioration was much more dramatic than salting could explain. Other concrete (not replaced by BK Masonry) in the front of the house has been there for decades and still doesn’t show this type of flaking and rapid deterioration. I asked for him to come by and take a look at it and he said he would have to get back to me to check his schedule. About 5 days later, I had not heard from Bernie and called again, and he then agreed, hesitantly, to come by sometime on the weekend to take a look at it. Since he couldn’t set a specific date or time, I asked him to call ahead to make sure we were home. He came by on Sunday but didn’t call ahead, so we were not home at the time. He then called us and reiterated his belief that the damage to the concrete was solely due to the use of ice melt over the last two winters. He told us that we can’t use salt or ice melt, which is a ridiculous statement considering we live in upstate NY. Even if that were the case and actually his belief, he did not once warn us or tell us we shouldn’t use ice melt and needed to put protectant on the concrete. Based on research we’ve conducted and the physical status of the concrete deterioration, I belief the most likely cause of the rapid flaking of the concrete surface is a too high water concentration of the original concrete when it was poured. Using ice melt probably exacerbated the deterioration but was by no means the cause. Ice melt and salt are used regularly throughout the capital region, and if that caused rapid deterioration as we have the roads and walkways would be in much worse condition than they already are. We are very displeased with not only the condition of our concrete but with Bernie’s reaction and response. From the very beginning he has not once accepted, or even admitted to the possibility, that he incorrect mixed and poured the concrete for our patio and sidewalk. He continues to blame us for the use of ice melt as the sole reason our concrete has deteriorated so dramatically. The only thing he has done was to offer to provide a quote for the repairs. It has been two weeks since he said he would provide a quote and we have not heard anything from him. In my opinion, at this point he is doing his best to ignore us and hope we go away. I find this and his refusal to accept responsibility for the condition of our concrete to be highly unprofessional, and at this time, even if he offered to repair it for free, I would be extremely unlikely to have him conduct the repairs.

Asked twice through Angie's list and direct through their website. Not even the courtesy of a response.

Bernie came out promptly to give an estimate which seemed fair and he said he could probably do it in a day. He made some suggestions which I rejected like digging a trench in my lawn for water run-off to keep the foundation from cracking. I wasn't sure this was a solution. The rest of the foundation on that side is fine, it's only the one area that has a problem and I would rather find another solution than having a trench in my lawn. I told Bernie that I liked his estimate. He told me that he had a couple big jobs and would contact me. Since it was April, I said no problem. A week or two later, Bernie called and said he could do my job that Saturday before he started his bigger jobs. I told him that I work on Saturdays and wouldn't be there. He said that I didn't need to be there......Having been burned by people before, this set off a red flag for me and I told him that I don't have work done unless I am present. I told him what my days off were and that he could call me back when his other jobs were done as it was early spring. I even sent him an email saying sorry that Saturday didn't work out, since he seemed a little bit put out. I emailed him at the end of April asking when we could reschedule and that if he didn't want to do the job I would understand and I could look for someone else. He replied that he still wanted to do the job. Fast forward to June and I haven't heard anything from Bernie. To be fair, the spring was very rainy and he had the other jobs so I wanted to give him some time. I emailed him again. I do not have a recorded response on my email but I also contacted him through his website or phone. August, and still nothing from Bernie. I called him on a Monday or Tuesday and said it was getting late in the season, I needed to hear from him. Several days later, after no response from Bernie, I phoned and left another message saying that if I didn't hear from him I would need to call someone else. After two more calls to other masons, I found a very good person who completed my work yesterday. It's now November. Would not recommend for smaller jobs. From other reviews here, it seems that his main interest is larger foundation repair.

They never even returned a phone call. Left message, no response at all.

BK Masonry exceeded my expectations.

contractor did not give an estimate as he said he would.

Bernie was great. He explained everything, did great work, and charged a fair price. Others were cheaper, but not for the same solution. Bernie fixed it right. He will be my first call next time.

The job took just over a week. Bernie was there pretty much every day working (other than when the weather didn't support). The initial digging and sealing only took a couple days. He also brought in some extra top soil to fill in some low areas after the initial trench was filled. The windows installation took some time because of the old framing, but he spent the time to do it right and cement in the new windows. He even took to the time to correct his assistant when the work wasn't to his standards. The new sidewalk was laid down at a good level and brushed. We very happy to not have to walk through large puddles anymore. Bernie was always willing to talk and explain what he was doing. He never show impatience from our questions and took the time to make sure we understood everything that was happening. We're very happy with the results. I would use Bernie again if I needed additional concrete work.

Bernie came and completed the job on time and was very professional. He did a great job.

Bernie did a great job. He completed the work in a week. He replaced a crumbling wall with new cinder blocks. For the other walls, he removed any loose, flaking cement and put on a fresh parge coat of cement. He spent a lot of time prepping the walls to remove the old loose cement, so I am confident that the fresh cement coat will last a long time. It looks great.

Bernie did a great job fixing the many cracks in our foundation that had come from water damage from roof runoff which his since been guttered and fixed. He was polite, friendly, professional, on time and gave me a great deal on the price.  He arrived early and worked hard all day to get the job done.  I would trust him with any project for my home.  He high standards and is interested in providing high quality finish and service.

unknown

unknown

unknown

unknown

I got 3 estimates for the work I needed done and Bernie from BK Masonry wasn't the cheapest, but he made me feel confident that the work would be completed in a timely manner by a competent mason. Bernie showed up when he said he would, and worked in a competent, professional manner. The work was done in a timely manner, and every day he cleaned up the work site. He is always pleasant, and I look forward to working with him again. He is the only contractor in this day and age that I would trust to complete a job on a hand-shake alone.

unknown

.

BK (Bernie) and his helper arrived when they said. He will arrive sometimes before 07:00, but that's fine. He wasted no time getting started. they removed all the old concrete and started leveling the area. the next day they formed the patio and garage area and placed a load of stone as a base. the day after the patio and garage area were poured, they came back and formed and poured the steps. I almost forgot to mention that the area that was dugup by his machine, he put a load of top soil and graded it. My wife and I are pleased with his work and would recommend his services.

BK did a great job.  I would recommend them to others.

It was a very good experience. They were reasonably priced. He was on time for the estimate and then executed the work according to the schedule that he gave. He was very efficient. We are very happy with the work.