"Collier and Cruz did a great job leveling my driveway and pool deck patio as well as sealing concrete joints. Very professional and personable. Explained the process and goals very clearly and made sure we were satisfied with work before leaving.
I highly recommend Groundworks and I would request Collier and Cruz !"
"Anthony, John and Jay were excellent. I was amazed when a crack in my tile (caused from the foundation shifting) came together after the lift! I highly recommend Baird. Everyone you come in contact with are true professionals."
At JB Masonry, I?m proud to offer true quality craftsmanship in stone, brick, and block. Whether you need a beautiful fireplace or a sturdy retaining wall, I handle every project with care and precision?because masonry done right should last for generations.\n\nI?m based right here in Castroville, TX, so I understand the local style and what works best in our area. My goal is to make top?notch work accessible, which is why I now offer financing options. I want you to feel confident investing in the project you truly want.\n\nWhen you hire me, you?re getting a local craftsman who takes pride in every detail. From start to finish, I?ll work with you to create something built to last. Reach out?I?d love to help bring your vision to life.
CW Custom Builders is a high-quality residential and commercial construction company serving Central Texas. We handle all phases of construction—from new builds to remodeling and additions—while priding ourselves on a foundation of honesty and integrity. Call today to get your project underway 830-391-9897.
We pride our company on reliability, great communication, integrity, and quality work. We are experts in our trade and will do our best to keep you as educated as we can on your particular task or project. We look forward to earning your business!
"Fernando, his son Frankie, and Jeb Kraft (substituting for a vacationing crew member) were excellent. Their experience, work ethic, and attitude were outstanding. Every issue that arose as they repaired work another company did several years ago was solved by Fernando. He always provided several options and we selected the best one for the situation. Because Fernando hand-dug the needed holes and trenches he had no problem when he encountered the main electric line several feet from where 811 had marked it."
"Willie and his team did fantastic work. After contacting numerous other "foundation experts", Willie provided the best plan and backed it up with his overall knowledge and certification/training in basement/foundation repair. He and his team do great work and take no short-cuts when it comes to the overall quality of the work. He also was very flexible when other requests were made and he gladly accommodated. He has a passion for his business, customers and takes great pride in his work. The basement and porch are now fixed and look great. Best of all is that we have confidence the work performed will last."
Unfortunately, there are many disadvantages to stone houses. They are slow to build and the materials are pricey, both of which balloon the total cost. Stone walls require a more robust foundation, which costs more to install. Running plumbing, electrical, and HVAC through a stone house is much more difficult too, so homeowners need to seriously consider if the aesthetic benefit is worth the cost of building with stone. One of the questions to ask a masonry contractor is if a similar aesthetic can be achieved with another material.
While painting can certainly change the look of a chimney, you should think twice about giving your brick chimney the old landlord special.
Painting brick is porous, meaning it’s full of tiny holes that can soak up moisture. Those holes also allow it to dry, though. So, when you paint it, you trap any moisture inside, providing an opportunity for mold, mildew, and water damage.
Paint also shows wear faster than naked brick. This means that once you paint a brick surface, you’ll have to keep painting it to maintain a clean look. A paint job is also harder to undo on brick because of its porous nature. Once you paint it, it’s hard to go back without some serious power washing—another added cost.
Handbuilt masonry fireplaces are likely what comes to mind when we think about curling up by the fire at the end of the day. But bricks in the firebox and chimney tend to be heavy, which is not ideal for homes with weak or damaged foundations.
Prefabricated fireboxes come with a full flue and chimney system, significantly reducing the price and installation time. However, if you need to replace the panels down the line, you are locked into the same model or something very similar.
Yes, you can technically use a pressure washer to remove paint from brick, but it comes with a significant risk of damaging the brick surface. A high-power pressure washer can be fast but may leave the brick looking unsightly. The recommended method is to first apply a chemical paint stripper, following the product's instructions, and then use a stiff metal bristle brush or a pressure washer on a low-pressure setting to remove the loosened paint. Due to the risk of damage, it is often best to hire a professional who can use low-stress methods.
There are many things to look for when buying a brick house. Here are some of the key things you should pay close attention to.
Lintels: Look for cracks, holes, displacement, or corrosion
Mortar: Check to see if the mortar is old and crumbling, in need of repointing, or new. Also check to see if the mortar has a professional finish.
Walls: Check along each side of the house. If a wall is bowing outward, this indicates a severe issue such as foundation damage or that the walls are ready to fall.
Cracks: If there are stair step cracks in the brickwork, this indicates an unstable foundation.
The Big Wells, TX 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.
